XR-85 tank droid

Manufactured by Arakyd Industries, the XR-85 tank droid was a threaded, automated tank, armed with a heavy particle cannon, two forward light turbolasers, four twin heavy repeating blasters (two at the front, two at the back) and one aft Golan Arms DF.9 cannon (for anti-personnel duty). It was part of the Galactic Empire's arsenal.

The first models were small enough to allow multiple units to be carried aboard a Sentinel-class landing craft. They were used to protect bases, attack Rebel uprisings and keep the peace on Imperial worlds.

Later models, produced right after Grand Admiral Thrawn´s return and subsequent campaign, were more inexpensive and practical to mass-produce. They utilized pirated R7 Droid Brain Pathway Matrix designs, which made each droid far more independent and intuitive than earlier generations of combat droids.



Cost-cutting by the crumbling Empire made the XR-85s a good alternative to other assault vehicles, as it became more difficult to find or train qualified crew. The production of tank droids was increased in order to bolster ground forces wherever possible, these droids could even be used as running boards for infantry troops.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
 * Dark Empire