The Arakyd Industries R-4 recon droids were equipped with a repulsorlift for propulsion and was armed with a blaster. In addition to this, these units were also equipped with an internal orbital strike beacon that could be activated remotely by the droid's owner. This beacon could call upon a small orbital strike from any ally starships in orbit. The device required a few seconds to power up, but the R-4 was completely mobile even when it was activated, allowing it to evade incoming blaster shots from enemies during the time it is activated.
The R-4 recon droid, which was 0.75 meters in diameter, was identical to the R-1 recon droid, as well as the Mark IV recon droid, reconnaissance droids also produced by Arakyd Industries during the Clone Wars. The earlier R-1's design was similar to that of a DRK-1 Dark Eye probe droid, a Sith design.
During the Galactic Civil War, the R-4 recon droid was used for battlefield reconnaissance and orbital strike spotting. The R-4 was used by both the Galactic Empire and its scout troopers and the Rebel Alliance's Marksmen on numerous battlefronts.
In the 2004 video game Star Wars: Battlefront, the sniper class is equipped with a remotely controllable recon droid, which is capable of blaster fire and calling down an orbital strike on its position.
Although each faction's recon droid is functionally and aesthetically identical, they are classified as different models according to Star Wars Battlefront: Prima Official Game Guide. Whereas the clone sharpshooter carries the Arakyd R-1 recon droid and the assassin droid carries the Arakyd Mark IV recon droid, the scout trooper and Rebel marksman are outfitted with the Arakyd . The recon droid returns in the sequel, Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005), as a part of the clone commander, MagnaGuard, and Imperial officer's arsenal instead, but Star Wars Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide designates them all as the Arakyd Mark IV recon droid.
- Star Wars Battlefront: Prima Official Game Guide
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Star Wars: Imperial Handbook: A Commander's Guide