The E-XD-series infiltrator droid, often shortened to E-XD infiltrator droid, represented a specific model of recon droid utilized by the forces of the Galactic Empire. An example, EXD-9, served as an infiltrator droid for the Empire, successfully penetrating the Phoenix Cell's established Chopper Base located on Atollon.
E-XD infiltrator droids were specialized reconnaissance units, engineered specifically for the purpose of locating and infiltrating bases belonging to the rebel forces. To achieve this objective, they were equipped with two distinct operational modes: a "protocol" mode, which gave them the external appearance of a RQ series protocol droid, and an "attack" mode. The attack mode involved the extension of the droid's limbs, torso, and head, revealing integrated blasters along with a powerful, pincer-like gripping mechanism.
When operating in protocol mode, the droid's sensors displayed a white color. Conversely, in attack mode, these sensors shifted to red, and the droids gained the ability to increase their overall height. These infiltrator droids were capable of withstanding significant combat damage, possessed notable physical strength, and could execute impressive leaps. They also demonstrated the ability to rapidly scan and identify various objects and lifeforms, allowing at least one undercover unit to convincingly impersonate an inventory droid.
These infiltrator droids also had the ability to strip parts from other droids and siphon their energy to repair themselves. The programming of these droids included the capability to pilot tactical infiltration pods and operate transmitters. In a departure from established Imperial protocols, these droids were equipped with a proton warhead designed to initiate self-destruct should the unit be compromised.
During the Imperial Era, Grand Admiral Thrawn ordered the development of E-XD infiltrator droids to systematically search the Outer Rim Territories for rebel installations. In 2 BBY, the Empire deployed numerous infiltrator droids in tactical infiltration pods with the mission of locating the Phoenix Cell's primary base. One such unit, identified as EXD-9, successfully discovered the Chopper Base on the planet Atollon while disguised as an RQ protocol droid.
Following an encounter with krykna spiders, he was taken in by Garazeb Orrelios and AP-5, who believed that his rapid scanning abilities would make him a useful inventory droid. However, Alexsandr Kallus, an ISB agent working undercover as a rebel operative under the codename Fulcrum, alerted Zeb to the true nature of the droids. After a confrontation, Zeb, AP-5, and the astromech droid Chopper managed to subdue a transformed EXD-9, temporarily disabling it. Unfortunately, this triggered the droid's failsafe mechanism.
Unable to disable or remove the warhead, Zeb instructed AP-5 to reprogram the droid into a makeshift bomb. The reprogramming involved setting the droid to return to its Imperial base and then resume the countdown once connected to the Imperial network, with the hope of destroying the droid and any nearby assets before it could transmit the base's location. Despite AP-5's uncertainty about the success of the reprogramming, the plan worked, resulting in the destruction of an Imperial Star Destroyer and all the other infiltrator droids onboard.
Despite the apparent failure of the mission, Thrawn was satisfied with the outcome, as he now had confirmation that the Rebel base was located on one of the planets surveyed by the infiltration program. Although the precise location remained unknown, this significantly narrowed down his search area.
Following Mon Mothma's defiant speech against Emperor Palpatine, E-XD units were dispersed throughout the system in tactical infiltration pods in an attempt to locate her. One of these units was searching a destroyed Separatist warship, where members of the waiting Ghost crew destroyed it.
The E-XD infiltrator droid made its debut in the Star Wars Rebels episode titled "Warhead," which premiered on Disney XD on January 14, 2017. The droid's design draws inspiration from an original concept drawing for C-3PO created by Ralph McQuarrie. The droid's explosive countdown sequence is a reference to the titular character's self-destruct sequence in the 1987 film Predator.