R3-series astromech droid/Legends: Difference between revisions

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{{Youmay|the astromech droid model|individual droids named [[R3]]}}
{{Youmay|the astromech droid model|individual droids named [[R3]]}}
{{Redlink|hide}}
{{Droid_series
{{Droid_series
|image=[[File:R3astromech-SWE.png]]
|image=[[File:R3astromech-SWE.png]]
|name=R3-series astromech droid
|name=R3-series astromech droid
|creator=
|creator=
|manufacturer=[[Industrial Automaton/Legends|Industrial Automaton]]<ref name="EGTD 10">''[[The Essential Guide to Droids]]'', p. 10.</ref>
|manufacturer=[[Industrial Automaton/Legends|Industrial Automaton]]<ref name="EGTD 10">{{EGCite|D|R3 and R4}}</ref>
|designer=
|designer=
|homeworld=
|homeworld=
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|class=[[Astromech droid/Legends|Astromech droid]]<ref name="EGTD 10" />
|class=[[Astromech droid/Legends|Astromech droid]]<ref name="EGTD 10" />
|degree=[[Second-degree droid]]<ref name="TOTG 136">''[[Threats of the Galaxy]]'', p. 136.</ref>
|degree=[[Second-degree droid]]<ref name="TOTG 136">''[[Threats of the Galaxy]]'', p. 136.</ref>
|cost=4,500<ref name="LSD 55" /> to 10,000 [[Galactic Credit Standard|credits]]<ref name="TOTG 136" />
|cost=
|length=
|length=
|width=
|width=
|height=0.96<ref name="FFAST3">{{FFCite|11|AST3, ''Astromech Droids''}}, p. AST3.</ref> to 1.00 [[Imperial standard meter|meters]]<ref name="THORSAD 138">{{Journal|7|The History of R-Series Astromech Droids}}, p. 138.</ref>
|height=1.00 [[Imperial standard meter|meters]]<ref name="THORSAD 138">{{Journal|7|The History of R-Series Astromech Droids}}, p. 138.</ref>
|mass=31.8 kg<ref name="DotDDecoded>{{TCW|Duel of the Droids|d=y}}</ref>
|mass=
|gender=
|gender=
|sensor=Sophisticated sensor package:<ref name="A&EG 47">''[[Arms & Equipment Guide]]'', p. 47.</ref>
|sensor=*[[Electromagnetic field sensor unit]]<ref name="EGTD 10" />
*[[Electromagnetic field sensor unit]]<ref name="EGTD 11">''[[The Essential Guide to Droids]]'', p. 11.</ref>
*Radar Eye<ref name="EGTD 10" />
*Radar<ref name="EGTD 11" />
*Infrared receptor<ref name="EGTD 9">''[[The Essential Guide to Droids]]'', p. 9.</ref>
|plating=
|plating=
|armament=
|armament=
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==Description==
==Description==
[[File:R3-R4_EGTD.jpg|thumb|left|180px|R3 and R4-series schematics]]
[[File:R3-R4_EGTD.jpg|thumb|left|180px|R3 and R4-series schematics]]
The R3-series [[Astromech droid/Legends|astromech]] [[Droid/Legends|droid]] featured much of the same hardware as its predecessor, the [[R2-series astromech droid|R2 unit]],<ref name="EGTD 10" /><ref name="FFAST3" /> lacking only the earlier droid's extendible [[video sensor]].<ref>{{Journal|7|The History of R-Series Astromech Droids}}, pp. 136, 138.</ref> The R3's chassis was largely cylindrical, appearing as an upright tube with a short, truncated cone at its base. Keeping the droid upright were two narrow [[Limb/Legends|legs]], each of which terminated in a treaded foot shaped like trapezoidal prisms; a third leg was housed within the droid body and could be extended when necessary to afford greater stability. Capping the unit's design was a hardy, rotating, [[Plastex/Legends|plastex]]<ref name="EGTD 11" /> or [[Transparisteel/Legends|transparisteel]] dome<ref name="LSD 55">{{GamerCite|3|Look Sir, Droids!}}, p. 55.</ref>&mdash;although some owners modified their R3s to use an older, opaque R2-unit dome instead.<ref name="CSWE III 70">''[[The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia]]'', Vol. III, p. 70.</ref> The astromech was sealed to allow for functionality in the vacuum of [[Realspace/Legends|space]].<ref name="LSD 55" /> An R3 unit typically followed a color scheme with the main body white and the trim a bright color.<ref name="EGTD 10" /> Because the unit had the same shell as its predecessor, the R2, R3-series astromech droids could be slotted into standard [[Astromech socket/Legends|astromech sockets]] used on most [[Starfighter/Legends|starfighters]].<ref name="LSD 55" />
The R3-series [[Astromech droid/Legends|astromech]] [[Droid/Legends|droid]] featured much of the same hardware as its predecessor, the [[R2-series astromech droid|R2 unit]],<ref name="EGTD 10" /> lacking only the earlier droid's extendible [[video sensor]].<ref>{{Journal|7|The History of R-Series Astromech Droids}}, pp. 136, 138.</ref> The R3's chassis was largely cylindrical, appearing as an upright tube with a short, truncated cone at its base. Keeping the droid upright were two narrow [[Limb/Legends|legs]], each of which terminated in a treaded foot shaped like trapezoidal prisms; a third leg was housed within the droid body and could be extended when necessary to afford greater stability. Capping the unit's design was a hardy, rotating, [[Plastex/Legends|plastex dome]].<ref name="EGTD 10" /> An R3 unit typically followed a color scheme with the main body white and the trim a bright color.<ref name="EGTD 10" />
 
A wide variety of lights, sensors, and tools adorned the R3's surface or were housed within its body. A sophisticated sensor package, augmented by the droid's transparent dome,<ref name="A&EG 47" /> allowed the droids to see 360 degrees at all times.<ref name="A&EG 49">''[[Arms & Equipment Guide]]'', p. 49.</ref> A cylindrical protrusion jutting up from high on the backside of the dome served as the droid's [[electromagnetic field sensor unit]].<ref name="EGTD 11" /> The droid's large, red radar [[Eye/Legends|eye]] peered from the center of the dome, surrounded by a trapezoidal auditory sensor colored to match the astromech's trim.<ref name="EGTD 11" /> Directly below this was the horizontal [[Datacard/Legends|datacard]] input slot,<ref name="EGTD 9" /> and below this and toward the droid's right was a rectangular collection of [[function indicator]]s.<ref name="EGTD 11" /> Above this were another set of lights in a rectangular arrangement, which served as the infrared receptor,<ref name="EGTD 9" /> lending the R3 infrared vision<ref name="LSD 55" /> and functionality even in complete darkness.<ref name="TOTG 136" /> Both the function indicators and infrared sensor were housed in a rectangular piece painted to match the droid's trim color. Near the center of the base of the dome's front was another red, circular light, which served as the droid's [[processor state indicator]]; this too was set into a rectangular field colored to match the unit's trim. A [[Holoprojector/Legends|holographic projector]] shaped like a series to two nested cylinders protruded from its placement next to the droid's processor state indicator.<ref name="EGTD 9" /><ref name="TOTG 136" /> The R3 featured a [[Viewscreen/Legends|video display screen]].<ref name="THORSAD 138" /> Within the dome could be seen the astromech's [[Intellex computer|Intellex V computer]]<ref name="EGTD 10" /> and [[Heuristic processor/Legends|heuristic processor]].<ref name="TOTG 136" /> Cosmetic stripes along the base of the dome rounded out the clear hemisphere's decoration.<ref name="EGTD 11" />
 
The top, front edge of the R3 unit's chassis featured a horizontal stripe that served as the droid's [[spacecraft linkage data slot]].<ref name="EGTD 9" /> Below this were two horizontal stripes, painted to match the rest of the trim, which housed the droid's [[Capital ship/Legends|capital ship]] linkage arms.<ref name="EGTD 11" /> Running vertically along the sides of the R3's chassis were two compartments: the one on the droid's left housing the retractable [[grasping arm]],<ref name="EGTD 9" /><ref name="THORSAD 138" /> and the one on the right the [[Scomp link/Legends|computer interface]] and [[lubricant arm]]s. Below these and on the droid's right, front side was a rectangular compartment that contained the [[charge arm]].<ref name="EGTD 11" /> Below this lay the [[interface pulse stabilizer]]s, a vertical band of six small rectangles set one atop the other.<ref name="EGTD 9" /> An upright rectangle in the center of the main droid body housed both the unit's [[loudspeaker]]<ref name="EGTD 11" />&mdash;also known as the [[acoustic signaller]]<ref name="THORSAD 138" />&mdash;and system ventilation. Directly below this was the [[Recharge coupling/Legends|recharge coupling]]<ref name="EGTD 11" /> or [[high-power coupling]], a circular socket set off by a square piece of trim used to recharge the droid.<ref name="CWCE 147">''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars Character Encyclopedia]]'', p. 147.</ref> To the droid's right, beside this socket was another horizontal rectangle, which served as the R3's [[Polarity sink/Legends|polarity sink]].<ref name="EGTD 11" /> Other hardware housed within the chassis included a small [[electric arc welder]] with a range of 0.3 [[Imperial standard meter|meters]], a miniature [[Circular saw/Legends|circular saw]],<ref name="THORSAD 138" /> a [[Fire extinguisher/Legends|fire extinguisher]], an [[electroshock probe]],<ref name="THORSAD 136">{{Journal|7|The History of R-Series Astromech Droids}}, p. 136.</ref> an internal [[Comlink/Legends|comlink]],<ref name="TOTG 136" /> and internal storage space with a capacity of two [[Kilogram/Legends|kilograms]].<ref name="TOTG 136" /> Like other R-series astromech droids, the R3's design made it easily modified to a nearly endless variety of specifications.<ref name="NEGTD 29">''[[The New Essential Guide to Droids]]'', p. 29.</ref>
 
The R3 unit's legs were elongated rectangles that attached to the main body via rounded swivel joints. These extended to the trapezoidal feet,<ref name="FFAST3" /> which were magnetic<ref name="TOTG 136" /> and housed the motorized treads upon which the droid rolled about.<ref name="EGTD 11" /> Alternatively, R3s could walk using only the two main legs.<ref name="TOTG 136" /> Two wires connected each tread to a [[Power pack|power cell]], one placed directly inside each foot.<ref name="EGTD 9" /> As an option, purchasers of R3 units could add side-mounted [[Rocket booster/Legends|rocket boosters]] to the droid's legs, which entailed the installation of a [[propellant rocket system]].<ref name="HNNb">{{Hnn|55|business/1359_2.html|IA Caps Droid Rocket Warranty at 20 Years|https://web.archive.org/web/20130728120223/http://www.holonetnews.com/55/business/1359_2.html}}</ref> The legs typically followed the same color scheme as the droid's body, with white as the main color and another used for various insets and trim.<ref name="FFAST3" /> An R3-series astromech stood between 0.96<ref name="FFAST3" /> and 1.00 [[Imperial standard meter|meters]] in height.<ref name="THORSAD 138" />


==Role==
==Role==
Like other astromechs, the R3-series was a [[second-degree droid]],<ref name="TOTG 136" /> designed for such tasks as general [[Starship/Legends|starship]] maintenance, [[Computer/Legends|computer]] repair, and data retrieval.<ref>''[[Star Wars Encyclopedia]]'', p. 16.</ref> However, unlike its predecessor, the R2, the R3 was intended primarily for service aboard large-scale [[Capital ship/Legends|capital ships]], [[Warship/Legends|warships]], and [[battlestation]]s rather than small-scale [[Starfighter/Legends|starfighters]].<ref name="THORSAD 138" /> Its most basic difference from the R2 unit was that rather than servicing starfighter-scale craft, the R3 unit used its standard diagnostic package<ref name="TOTG 136" /> to perform routine maintenance and repairs on capital-ship computers, engineering and weapons systems, and external components.<ref name="DSC 84">''[[The DarkStryder Campaign]]'', p. 84.</ref> The unit's [[cognitive module]]s exceeded those of the R2 in both speed and power,<ref name="CW:TVG 101">''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Visual Guide]]'', p. 101.</ref> and its [[Intellex V/Legends|Intellex V]] computer had the capacity to store intricate schematic diagrams of entire fleets of [[Starship/Legends|starships]] in memory simultaneously.<ref name="TOTG 136" /> For instance, an R3 working for the [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Galactic Republic]] could hold the blueprints for every ship in the [[Republic Navy]].<ref name="EGTD 10" />
Like other astromechs, the R3-series was a [[second-degree droid]],<ref name="TOTG 136" /> designed for such tasks as general [[Starship/Legends|starship]] maintenance, [[Computer/Legends|computer]] repair, and data retrieval.<ref>''[[Star Wars Encyclopedia]]'', p. 16.</ref> However, unlike its predecessor, the R2, the R3 was intended primarily for service aboard large-scale [[Capital ship/Legends|capital ships]], [[Warship/Legends|warships]], and [[battlestation]]s rather than small-scale [[Starfighter/Legends|starfighters]].<ref name="THORSAD 138" /> Its most basic difference from the R2 unit was that rather than servicing starfighter-scale craft, the R3 unit used its standard diagnostic package<ref name="TOTG 136" /> to perform routine maintenance and repairs on capital-ship computers, engineering and weapons systems, and external components.<ref name="DSC 84">''[[The DarkStryder Campaign]]'', p. 84.</ref> The unit's [[Intellex V/Legends|Intellex V]] computer had the capacity to store intricate schematic diagrams for every ship in the [[Republic Navy]].<ref name="EGTD 10" />


[[File:R3unit.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A yellow trimmed R3 unit]]
[[File:R3unit.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A yellow trimmed R3 unit]]
This level of detail allowed the R3 to interface with and assist hundreds of separate operational groups on capital ships,<ref name="TOTG 136" /> simultaneously aiding teams of [[Gunner/Legends|gunners]], naval chiefs, security troops, and literally hundreds of others.<ref name="FFAST3" /> R3 units were often placed into service alongside military support personnel, such as astrogators, gunners, maintenance crews, and security teams.<ref name="TOTG 136" /> Program modules were available to allow the astromech to perform other duties.<ref name="TOTG 136" /> For instance, teams of R3s could work in tandem with a capital vessel's [[Navigation computer/Legends|nav computers]] to speed their computational capabilities and to better organize information.<ref name="DSC 84" /> Others processed data for various ship stations, such as communications, engineering, sensors, and tactics. Some ships included specialized astromech slots in key areas, into which R3s could be fitted to carry out their duties, leaving only their domes visible.<ref name="DSC 37">''[[The DarkStryder Campaign]]'', p. 37.</ref> Despite its commonness in military bases and aboard military starships, the R3 unit avoided combat. Should its position come under attack, the R3's preferred response was to move into a safe location, plug into a nearby terminal, and either report the altercation, call for backup, or provide other support.<ref name="TOTG 136" />
This level of detail allowed the R3 to work effectively with [[Gunner/Legends|gunnery crews]], chiefs of operations, and security troops aboard Capital ships.<ref name="EGTD 10" /> Teams of R3s could work in tandem with a capital vessel's [[Navigation computer/Legends|nav computers]] to speed their computational capabilities and to better organize information.<ref name="DSC 84" /> Others processed data for various ship stations, such as communications, engineering, sensors, and tactics. Some ships included specialized astromech slots in key areas, into which R3s could be fitted to carry out their duties, leaving only their domes visible.<ref name="DSC 37">''[[The DarkStryder Campaign]]'', p. 37.</ref> Despite its commonness in military bases and aboard military starships, the R3 unit avoided combat. Should its position come under attack, the R3's preferred response was to move into a safe location, plug into a nearby terminal, and either report the altercation, call for backup, or provide other support.<ref name="TOTG 136" />


Although its design was tailored toward large-scale vessels and battle stations, the R3-series astromech maintained the starfighter plug-in functionality of other astromech droids, allowing the unit to serve as a capable starfighter pilot counterpart and maintenance unit. The R3 could store up to five sets of [[Hyperspace/Legends|hyperspace]] [[jump coordinate]]s in its [[random access memory]]. Although this was half the astrogation capacity of its predecessor, the R2,<ref name="NEGTD 29" /> overall, the R3 was a more capable astrogator than any previous R-series astromech produced by Industrial Automaton.<ref name="CSWE III 70" /> The R3 unit could become a capable copilot, coordinating advanced trajectories and ship coordinates even in the thick of a dogfight.<ref name="R3-A2 CCG">{{CCG|set=Special Edition Limited|link=SpecialEdition-Light/large/r3a2.gif|cardname=R3-A2 (Arthree-Aytoo)}}.</ref> The [[R3-D]] was a variant specifically intended for starfighter use. The droid assisted target acquisition and management on such small-scale craft, allowing the [[Pilot/Legends|pilot]] to concentrate on flying. The original design of the [[Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptor/Legends|Delta-7 starfighter]] called for an R3-D astromech.<ref name="AOTCN 16">[[Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones (novelization)|''Star Wars'': Episode II ''Attack of the Clones'' novelization]], Chapter 16.</ref>
Although its design was tailored toward large-scale vessels and battle stations, the R3-series astromech maintained the starfighter plug-in functionality of other astromech droids, allowing the unit to serve as a capable starfighter pilot counterpart and maintenance unit. The R3 could store up to five sets of [[Hyperspace/Legends|hyperspace]] [[jump coordinate]]s in its [[random access memory|active memory]]. The R3 unit could become a capable copilot, coordinating advanced trajectories and ship coordinates even in the thick of a dogfight.<ref name="R3-A2 CCG">{{CCG|set=Special Edition Limited|link=SpecialEdition-Light/large/r3a2.gif|cardname=R3-A2 (Arthree-Aytoo)}}.</ref>


Meanwhile, R3 units employed by government agencies performed more humdrum duties. In such locations, R3s worked alongside various officials, ranging from municipal functionaries and local magistrates to Imperial [[Moff/Legends|moffs]] and assistants to the [[Supreme Chancellor/Legends|Supreme Chancellor]] and [[Galactic Emperor/Legends|Emperor]].<ref name="TOTG 136" />
Meanwhile, R3 units employed by government agencies performed more humdrum duties. In such locations, R3s worked alongside various officials, ranging from municipal functionaries and local magistrates to Imperial [[Moff/Legends|moffs]] and assistants to the [[Supreme Chancellor/Legends|Supreme Chancellor]] and [[Galactic Emperor/Legends|Emperor]].<ref name="TOTG 136" />
Due to the R3's frequent interaction with organic beings, Industrial Automaton programmed the unit to be socially adaptable and at home as part of a large crew. The R3 was thus congenial by nature, happiest when surrounded by the bustle of a crowd. As a result, some crewmembers who interacted with the droids compared their personalities to those of most [[Protocol droid/Legends|protocol droid]] models.<ref name="LSD 55" /> The R3 unit's [[Heuristic processor/Legends|heuristic processor]] lent it problem-solving ability and curiosity. R3 units that had somehow lost their owners often teamed up with organic beings for the sense of camaraderie they provided and to keep themselves occupied.<ref name="LSD 55" />


Although the astromech was capable of understanding [[Galactic Basic Standard/Legends|Basic]] and two other languages of the owner's choice,<ref name="TOTG 136" /> R3-series droids themselves communicated via [[Binary/Legends|droidspeak]],<ref name="THORSAD 134">{{Journal|7|The History of R-Series Astromech Droids}}, p. 134.</ref> a machine language of high-density chirps and squeals. When several R3s worked together at a single station, their constant chatter filled the air, sometimes confusing incoming organic crew members unfamiliar with the twittering language.<ref name="DSC 84" /> The R3's use of droidspeak made the unit a natural counterpart to [[Cybot Galactica/Legends|Cybot Galactica's]] [[3PO-series protocol droid/Legends|3PO-series protocol droid]].<ref name="THORSAD 134" />
Although the astromech was capable of understanding [[Galactic Basic Standard/Legends|Basic]] and two other languages of the owner's choice,<ref name="TOTG 136" /> R3-series droids themselves communicated via [[Binary/Legends|droidspeak]],<ref name="THORSAD 134">{{Journal|7|The History of R-Series Astromech Droids}}, p. 134.</ref> a machine language of high-density chirps and squeals. When several R3s worked together at a single station, their constant chatter filled the air, sometimes confusing incoming organic crew members unfamiliar with the twittering language.<ref name="DSC 84" /> The R3's use of droidspeak made the unit a natural counterpart to [[Cybot Galactica/Legends|Cybot Galactica's]] [[3PO-series protocol droid/Legends|3PO-series protocol droid]].<ref name="THORSAD 134" />
Line 70: Line 59:
IA's droid designers decided to make the new model the capital warship's and battle station's answer to the starfighter-based R2 unit. The new droid received programming in gunnery repair and security protocols. The engineers paid particular attention to the model's [[Intellex]] computer, upgrading it from the R2's [[Intellex IV/Legends|Intellex IV]] to the more sophisticated Intellex V. Although the designers kept much of the R2's basic body design to cut costs,<ref name="THORSAD 138" /> they realized that the Intellex V would be a key selling point,<ref name="EGTD 10" /> replacing the R2's solid dome with one of clear plastex as a marketing ploy to showcase the new hardware and boost the scope and sensitivity of its sensors.<ref name="THORSAD 138" /> The new droid otherwise followed the R2's bright-trim-on-white-metal color scheme.<ref name="TOTG 136" /> The new model, dubbed the R3-series astromech droid, entered production.<ref name="THORSAD 138" />
IA's droid designers decided to make the new model the capital warship's and battle station's answer to the starfighter-based R2 unit. The new droid received programming in gunnery repair and security protocols. The engineers paid particular attention to the model's [[Intellex]] computer, upgrading it from the R2's [[Intellex IV/Legends|Intellex IV]] to the more sophisticated Intellex V. Although the designers kept much of the R2's basic body design to cut costs,<ref name="THORSAD 138" /> they realized that the Intellex V would be a key selling point,<ref name="EGTD 10" /> replacing the R2's solid dome with one of clear plastex as a marketing ploy to showcase the new hardware and boost the scope and sensitivity of its sensors.<ref name="THORSAD 138" /> The new droid otherwise followed the R2's bright-trim-on-white-metal color scheme.<ref name="TOTG 136" /> The new model, dubbed the R3-series astromech droid, entered production.<ref name="THORSAD 138" />


IA priced the droid much higher than its predecessor and produced it in only limited quantities to establish it as an elite addition to their catalog.<ref name="THORSAD 138" /> At one point, the R3 sold for a whopping 10,000 [[Galactic Credit Standard|credits]],<ref name="TOTG 136" /> although prices fluctuated to as low as 4,500 credits.<ref name="LSD 55" /> Due to its potential military applications, the R3 was considered sensitive technology,<ref name="A&EG 48">''[[Arms & Equipment Guide]]'', p. 48.</ref> and the company accordingly restricted sales of the unit to legitimate governments and militaries.<ref name="NEGTD 29" />
IA priced the droid much higher than its predecessor and produced it in only limited quantities to establish it as an elite addition to their catalog.<ref name="THORSAD 138" /> Due to its specialized nature, the sales were restricted to recognized governments.<ref name="EGTD 10" />
 
[[File:R3_Astromech_XWM.png|thumb|left|250px|An R3 unit repairing an [[Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighter/Legends|ARC-170 starfighter]]]]
[[File:R3_Astromech_XWM.png|thumb|left|250px|An R3 unit repairing an [[Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighter/Legends|ARC-170 starfighter]]]]
The strategy worked: the R3 sold briskly, earning IA great profits and never falling behind the company's sales goals. In their initial order alone, the [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Galactic Republic]] bought 125 million R3s from IA's first production run. R3 units soon joined the crews of all capital ships of the [[Republic Navy]]<ref name="THORSAD 138" /> and the [[Republic Judicial Department]].<ref name="NEGTD 29" /> By [[22 BBY/Legends|22 BBY]], the model had proved a wide success well received by its purchasers and new crew mates.<ref name="HNNa">{{Hnn|45|business/13228_3.html|IA Pulls R5's Plug|https://web.archive.org/web/20040702035413/http://www.holonetnews.com:80/45/business/13228_3.html}}.</ref> During the latter years of the Galactic Republic, IA introduced add-ons for the droid, such as side-mounted rocket boosters.<ref name="HNNb" /> They also developed the R3-D series astromech as an R3 variant intended, like the R2, for starfighter-based use.<ref name="AOTCN 16" />
The strategy worked: the R3 sold briskly, earning IA great profits and never falling behind the company's sales goals. In their initial order alone, the [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Galactic Republic]] bought 125 million R3s from IA's first production run. R3 units soon joined the crews of all capital ships of the [[Republic Navy]].<ref name="THORSAD 138" />
 
During the [[Clone Wars/Legends|Clone Wars]], IA's factory on the planet [[Nubia/Legends|Nubia]] manufactured R3s for both the Galactic Republic and the [[Jedi Order/Legends|Jedi Order]].<ref name="TCW DVD">[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season One|''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'' The Complete Season One]], DVD Featurette for "[[Downfall of a Droid]]"</ref> Republic demand for the droids was so strong that IA shipped some units with salvaged R2-unit domes rather than the R3's characteristic clear head.<ref name="TCWTVG">''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Visual Guide]]'', p. ??</ref> The Republic's reliance on the droids inspired a plot by the [[Confederacy of Independent Systems/Legends|Confederacy of Independent Systems]]; agents of the Confederate [[General/Legends|General]] [[Grievous/Legends|Grievous]] stole the unit designated [[R3-S6/Legends|R3-S6]]&mdash;one of the droids so fitted with an opaque dome&mdash;from the Nubian factory<ref name="TCW DVD" /> and reprogrammed it to be a [[Spy/Legends|spy]] for the Confederacy.<ref name="DOAD D">{{TCW|Downfall of a Droid|d=y}}</ref> R3-S6 came into possession of the Jedi Order, who assigned the droid to [[Anakin Skywalker/Legends|Anakin Skywalker]], whose previous astromech, [[R2-D2/Legends|R2-D2]], had gone missing. Nicknamed "Goldie" by Skywalker's [[Padawan/Legends|Padawan]], [[Ahsoka Tano/Legends|Ahsoka Tano]], the R3 unit was tasked with helping Skywalker find R2-D2<ref name="DOAD">{{TCW|Downfall of a Droid}}</ref> and on a [[Mission to Skytop Station/Legends|mission]] to destroy a Separatist base at [[Skytop Station/Legends|Skytop Station]].<ref name="DOTD">{{TCW|Duel of the Droids}}</ref> Nevertheless, the droid's programming made it difficult to follow Skywalker's orders, since its true master was Grievous. Thus the droid instead attempted to sabotage Skywalker's efforts. Skywalker recovered R2-D2, but R3-S6's subterfuge was discovered in the process. In a confrontation, R2-D2 knocked the R3 droid from a catwalk, causing the unit to plummet to his destruction.<ref name="DOTD" />


Nevertheless, the R3's limited availability and high price tag somewhat counteracted the reputation IA had earned for its more widely available and affordable R2 series droid. To reaffirm their image as a supplier of droids to the common [[Sentience/Legends|sentient]], IA had its engineers develop the [[R4-series agromech droid]], a much more affordable model tailored toward use in the [[Outer Rim Territories/Legends|Outer Rim Territories]].<ref name="TOTG 136" />
Despite the transition from Galactic Republic to [[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]], R3 sales remained strong. The Empire honored Republic contracts with the droid's maker to buy a steady supply of R3 units for use throughout the Empire.<ref name="TOTG 136" /> R3 astromechs thus joined the crews of not only Imperial [[Star Destroyer/Legends|Star Destroyers]] but also the [[DS-1 Orbital Battle Station/Legends|first]] and [[Death Star II/Legends|second Death Stars]]. With the outbreak of the [[Galactic Civil War/Legends|Galactic Civil War]], the [[Alliance to Restore the Republic/Legends|Alliance to Restore the Republic]] gained access to R3-series astromechs by stealing them from the Empire. [[Pirate/Legends|Pirate]] and [[Privateer/Legends|privateer]] groups, too, were quick to adopt the R3 for use on their ships after taking the droids as booty or buying them on the black market.<ref name="THORSAD 138" /> With the defeat of [[Galactic Emperor/Legends|Galactic Emperor]] [[Palpatine/Legends|Palpatine]] and the rise of the [[New Republic/Legends|New Republic]], IA struck deals with the new government to supply them with R3s, nullifying contracts and sales to the [[Imperial Remnant|remnants]] of the Empire to placate this new customer. Nevertheless, IA also widened its target customer base by selling to [[Planet/Legends|planetary]] governments and privately owned fleets as well.<ref name="THORSAD 138" />
 
Despite the transition from Galactic Republic to [[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]], R3 sales remained strong. The Empire honored Republic contracts with the droid's maker to buy a steady supply of R3 units for use throughout the Empire.<ref name="TOTG 136" /> R3 astromechs thus joined the crews of not only Imperial [[Star Destroyer/Legends|Star Destroyers]] but also the [[DS-1 Orbital Battle Station/Legends|first]] and [[Death Star II/Legends|second Death Stars]]. With the outbreak of the [[Galactic Civil War/Legends|Galactic Civil War]], the [[Alliance to Restore the Republic/Legends|Alliance to Restore the Republic]] gained access to R3-series astromechs by stealing them from the Empire. [[Pirate/Legends|Pirate]] and [[Privateer/Legends|privateer]] groups, too, were quick to adopt the R3 for use on their ships after taking the droids as booty or buying them on the black market.<ref name="THORSAD 138" /> In [[1 ABY/Legends|1 ABY]] Alliance [[Procurement and Supply/Legends|Procurement and Supply]] purchased a shipment of R3 droids from one of their "procurement specialists". These R3 droids were then assigned to heavy cruisers and frigates of the [[Alliance Fleet]], freeing up many R2 units for use by local rebel cells and [[New Republic Starfighter Command/Legends|Starfighter Command]].<ref>''[[Star Wars Galaxies]]'' - Rebel terminal mission "R2 Droid Availability"</ref> With the defeat of [[Galactic Emperor/Legends|Galactic Emperor]] [[Palpatine/Legends|Palpatine]] and the rise of the [[New Republic/Legends|New Republic]], IA struck deals with the new government to supply them with R3s, nullifying contracts and sales to the [[Imperial Remnant|remnants]] of the Empire to placate this new customer. Nevertheless, IA also widened its target customer base by selling to [[Planet/Legends|planetary]] governments and privately owned fleets as well.<ref name="THORSAD 138" />


[[File:R3S6-SWE.png|thumb|upright|right|R3-S6]]
[[File:R3S6-SWE.png|thumb|upright|right|R3-S6]]
==Behind the scenes==
According to "[[The History of R-Series Astromech Droids]]", R3 units lack the internal cargo space of the R2 unit. However, other sources indicate that they do indeed have this feature.<ref name="LSD 55" /><ref name="A&EG 49" /><ref name="TOTG 136" /> The ''[[Arms & Equipment Guide]]'' suggests that R3s could be used as starfighter plug-in droids only after tweaks to their programming.<ref name="A&EG 48" /> Other sources, however, suggest that they have this functionality without any such tweaks.<ref name="NEGTD 29" />


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
{{Scroll_box|content=
*{{Hnn|45|business/13228_3.html|IA Pulls R5's Plug|https://web.archive.org/web/20040702035413/http://www.holonetnews.com:80/45/business/13228_3.html}}<!--22 BBY-->
*{{Hnn|55|business/1359_2.html|IA Caps Droid Rocket Warranty at 20 Years|https://web.archive.org/web/20130728120223/http://www.holonetnews.com/55/business/1359_2.html}}<!--22 BBY-->
*{{Tales|13|Puzzle Peace}} {{Flash}}<!--No timeline placement; likely 22 BBY-->
*{{Film|II}}<!--22 BBY-->
*[[Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones (novelization)|''Star Wars'': Episode II ''Attack of the Clones'' novelization]]<!--22 BBY-->
*[[Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones (unabridged audiobook)|''Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones'' unabridged audiobook]]<!--22 BBY-->
*{{TCW|Downfall of a Droid}}<!--Unknown; after 22 BBY-->
*''[[The Clone Wars: Downfall of a Droid]]''<!--Unknown; after 22 BBY-->
*{{TCW|Duel of the Droids}}<!--Unknown; after 22 BBY-->
*''[[The Clone Wars: Grievous Attacks!]]''<!--Unknown, after 22 BBY-->
*''[[The Clone Wars: Jedi in Training]]''<!--Unknown; after 22 BBY-->
*''[[The Clone Wars: Forces of Darkness]]''<!--Unknown; after 22 BBY-->
*''[[The Clone Wars: Decide Your Destiny: The Way of the Jedi]]''<!--Unknown; after 22 BBY-->
*[[The Clone Wars 10|''The Clone Wars'' 10]]<!--Unknown; after 22 BBY-->
*''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels]]''<!--Unknown; after 22 BBY-->
*''[[Rogue's Gallery]]''<!--21.5 BBY-->
*''[[Changing Seasons]]''<!--20 BBY-->
*[[Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (video game)|''Star Wars: The Force Unleashed'' game]]<!--18 BBY-->
*{{Film|IV}} {{1st}}<!--0 BBY-->
*{{Film|IV}} {{1st}}<!--0 BBY-->
*''[[A More Wretched Hive: The Mos Eisley Cantina]]''
*''[[A More Wretched Hive: The Mos Eisley Cantina]]''
*{{Journal|4|Loyalties}}<!--Unknown; after 0 BBY-->
*{{Journal|4|Loyalties}}<!--Unknown; after 0 BBY-->
*''[[Beyond the Rim]]''
*{{FFG|book=Star Wars: Age of Rebellion Game Master's Kit|text=''Star Wars: Age of Rebellion'' Game Master's Kit|story=Dead in the Water|stext=Dead in the Water}}
*{{SWG|An Empire Divided}}<!--1.5 ABY-->
*[[Honor Among Thieves]]''<!--2-3 ABY-->
*{{Film|V}}<!--3 ABY-->
*{{Film|V}}<!--3 ABY-->
*{{Film|VI}}<!--4 ABY-->
*{{Film|VI}}<!--4 ABY-->
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*{{DarkStryder|The Saga Nears Its End|Endgame}}
*{{DarkStryder|The Saga Nears Its End|Endgame}}
*''[[The New Rebellion]]''<!--17 ABY-->
*''[[The New Rebellion]]''<!--17 ABY-->
}}
===Non-canon appearances===
*''[[LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars]]''


==Sources==
==Sources==
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==Notes and references==
==Notes and references==
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{{Reflist}}
 
{{Interlang
|de=R3-Astromechdroide
|es=Droide astromecánico serie R3/Leyendas
|nl=R3 Astromech Droid
|pl=R3
|pt=Dróide astromecânico série R3
|ru=Дроид-астромеханик серии R3
}}


[[Category:R3-series astromech droid models| ]]
[[Category:R3-series astromech droid models| ]]
[[Category:R3-series astromech droids| ]]
[[Category:R3-series astromech droids| ]]

Latest revision as of 07:22, 13 March 2023

This article is about the astromech droid model. You may be looking for individual droids named R3.

The R3-series astromech droid was an astromech model developed and sold by the droidmaker Industrial Automaton (IA). The R3 came at the heels of IA's blockbuster launch of the R2-series astromech droid as the company rushed to capitalize on their new dominance of the maintenance and repair droid market. The R3's designers copied the R2's general aesthetic, including the bright, contrasting color trim on a white metal chassis. The obvious difference in the factory unit was its head: the R2's opaque dome was swapped for a clear dome of plastex or transparisteel. The transparency gave the droid's internal sensor package greater range and showcased the R3's other major distinction, its newly updated Intellex V computer brain. Over time, however, some units' original domes were replaced with opaque ones or painted over carelessly.

Unlike its predecessor, the R3 was designed specifically for use by militaries and high-tech government agencies—IA developed another product, the R4-series agromech droid, to appeal to a broader clientele. The R3's Intellex V was capable of housing an immense amount of data; those units bought by the Galactic Republic had a database of detailed specifications on every vessel in the Republic Navy. Armed with this information, the R3 worked in cooperation with gunnery crews, security troopers, and naval chiefs of operation aboard capital-scale warships and at battlestations. Though its primary function was as a capital ship astromech, it could still operate as a plug-in droid for starfighters, holding up to five hyperspace jump coordinates in its astrogation buffer. The R3 had a genial and chummy personality, which allowed it to coordinate easily with large crews of organic sentients.

Due to the sensitive nature of the R3's programming, the rather expensive model was sold only to recognized government militaries. The Galactic Republic purchased 125 million of the droids during IA's initial production run, and later the Galactic Empire used R3s aboard its Star Destroyers and Death Star battlestations. Following the fall of the Empire, in an effort to maintain friendly relations with the New Republic, Industrial Automaton's policy restricted it from knowingly selling to the Imperial Remnant or known Imperial factions. Nevertheless, R3 units found their way into the hands of pirates, private spacers, the Rebel Alliance, and other groups through various black market channels.

Description

R3 and R4-series schematics

The R3-series astromech droid featured much of the same hardware as its predecessor, the R2 unit,[1] lacking only the earlier droid's extendible video sensor.[5] The R3's chassis was largely cylindrical, appearing as an upright tube with a short, truncated cone at its base. Keeping the droid upright were two narrow legs, each of which terminated in a treaded foot shaped like trapezoidal prisms; a third leg was housed within the droid body and could be extended when necessary to afford greater stability. Capping the unit's design was a hardy, rotating, plastex dome.[1] An R3 unit typically followed a color scheme with the main body white and the trim a bright color.[1]

Role

Like other astromechs, the R3-series was a second-degree droid,[3] designed for such tasks as general starship maintenance, computer repair, and data retrieval.[6] However, unlike its predecessor, the R2, the R3 was intended primarily for service aboard large-scale capital ships, warships, and battlestations rather than small-scale starfighters.[4] Its most basic difference from the R2 unit was that rather than servicing starfighter-scale craft, the R3 unit used its standard diagnostic package[3] to perform routine maintenance and repairs on capital-ship computers, engineering and weapons systems, and external components.[7] The unit's Intellex V computer had the capacity to store intricate schematic diagrams for every ship in the Republic Navy.[1]

A yellow trimmed R3 unit

This level of detail allowed the R3 to work effectively with gunnery crews, chiefs of operations, and security troops aboard Capital ships.[1] Teams of R3s could work in tandem with a capital vessel's nav computers to speed their computational capabilities and to better organize information.[7] Others processed data for various ship stations, such as communications, engineering, sensors, and tactics. Some ships included specialized astromech slots in key areas, into which R3s could be fitted to carry out their duties, leaving only their domes visible.[8] Despite its commonness in military bases and aboard military starships, the R3 unit avoided combat. Should its position come under attack, the R3's preferred response was to move into a safe location, plug into a nearby terminal, and either report the altercation, call for backup, or provide other support.[3]

Although its design was tailored toward large-scale vessels and battle stations, the R3-series astromech maintained the starfighter plug-in functionality of other astromech droids, allowing the unit to serve as a capable starfighter pilot counterpart and maintenance unit. The R3 could store up to five sets of hyperspace jump coordinates in its active memory. The R3 unit could become a capable copilot, coordinating advanced trajectories and ship coordinates even in the thick of a dogfight.[9]

Meanwhile, R3 units employed by government agencies performed more humdrum duties. In such locations, R3s worked alongside various officials, ranging from municipal functionaries and local magistrates to Imperial moffs and assistants to the Supreme Chancellor and Emperor.[3]

Although the astromech was capable of understanding Basic and two other languages of the owner's choice,[3] R3-series droids themselves communicated via droidspeak,[10] a machine language of high-density chirps and squeals. When several R3s worked together at a single station, their constant chatter filled the air, sometimes confusing incoming organic crew members unfamiliar with the twittering language.[7] The R3's use of droidspeak made the unit a natural counterpart to Cybot Galactica's 3PO-series protocol droid.[10]

History

Part of the R-series of droids from Industrial Automaton,[2] the R3 was Industrial Automaton's followup to the smash success of the R2-series astromech droid, a model whose popularity and sales had exceeded all expectations and catapulted IA to the top-tier of droid development companies occupied by the likes of Arakyd, Cybot Galactica, and Rebeton Kl'ian.[11] For their next entry in the series, IA's management tasked its engineers with one goal: take the R2 and improve on it.[4]

IA's droid designers decided to make the new model the capital warship's and battle station's answer to the starfighter-based R2 unit. The new droid received programming in gunnery repair and security protocols. The engineers paid particular attention to the model's Intellex computer, upgrading it from the R2's Intellex IV to the more sophisticated Intellex V. Although the designers kept much of the R2's basic body design to cut costs,[4] they realized that the Intellex V would be a key selling point,[1] replacing the R2's solid dome with one of clear plastex as a marketing ploy to showcase the new hardware and boost the scope and sensitivity of its sensors.[4] The new droid otherwise followed the R2's bright-trim-on-white-metal color scheme.[3] The new model, dubbed the R3-series astromech droid, entered production.[4]

IA priced the droid much higher than its predecessor and produced it in only limited quantities to establish it as an elite addition to their catalog.[4] Due to its specialized nature, the sales were restricted to recognized governments.[1]

File:R3 Astromech XWM.png
An R3 unit repairing an ARC-170 starfighter

The strategy worked: the R3 sold briskly, earning IA great profits and never falling behind the company's sales goals. In their initial order alone, the Galactic Republic bought 125 million R3s from IA's first production run. R3 units soon joined the crews of all capital ships of the Republic Navy.[4]

Despite the transition from Galactic Republic to Galactic Empire, R3 sales remained strong. The Empire honored Republic contracts with the droid's maker to buy a steady supply of R3 units for use throughout the Empire.[3] R3 astromechs thus joined the crews of not only Imperial Star Destroyers but also the first and second Death Stars. With the outbreak of the Galactic Civil War, the Alliance to Restore the Republic gained access to R3-series astromechs by stealing them from the Empire. Pirate and privateer groups, too, were quick to adopt the R3 for use on their ships after taking the droids as booty or buying them on the black market.[4] With the defeat of Galactic Emperor Palpatine and the rise of the New Republic, IA struck deals with the new government to supply them with R3s, nullifying contracts and sales to the remnants of the Empire to placate this new customer. Nevertheless, IA also widened its target customer base by selling to planetary governments and privately owned fleets as well.[4]

R3-S6

Appearances

Sources

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 The Essential Guide to Droids ("R3 and R4")
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The History of R-Series Astromech Droids" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 7, p. 130.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Threats of the Galaxy, p. 136.
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 "The History of R-Series Astromech Droids" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 7, p. 138.
  5. ↑ "The History of R-Series Astromech Droids" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 7, pp. 136, 138.
  6. ↑ Star Wars Encyclopedia, p. 16.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 The DarkStryder Campaign, p. 84.
  8. ↑ The DarkStryder Campaign, p. 37.
  9. ↑  Star Wars Customizable Card Game – Special Edition Limited (Card: R3-A2 (Arthree-Aytoo)) (backup link).
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "The History of R-Series Astromech Droids" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 7, p. 134.
  11. ↑ "The History of R-Series Astromech Droids" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 7, p. 137.
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