Guidance system

To facilitate navigation, machines like starships and droids were commonly outfitted with guidance systems. For droids, especially those serving as pilots of vehicles, a navigation system proved invaluable. Information pertaining to a droid's guidance system was stored in its memory logs, protected by access codes. If a slicer could successfully bypass these codes and the droid remained functional, a robolobotomy could grant access to the unit's guidance system. When a machine had a drive system, the guidance system collaborated with the engine, mapping out its trajectory. In the instance of seeker mines, a rudimentary guidance system worked in conjunction with basic engines to produce a weapon highly effective against targeted starships.

If a ship entered the detection range of a seeker mine's sensor, the mine's guidance and drive systems would coordinate to pursue the target, subjecting it to the threat of destruction from the mine's explosive power. Conversely, a rocket guidance system was a specialized enhancement applicable to any micro-rocket, transforming it into "smart" weaponry. Instead of risking the rocket missing its mark, a rocket guidance system ensured the projectile would persistently track and chase its target, even after a misfire or complete miss. By incorporating sensors, small adjustments to the fuel intake, and adjustable fins for enhanced maneuverability, the rocket user could significantly improve the weapon's reliability by ensuring it would follow its target. A rocket guidance system also minimized the potential for causing unintended collateral damage upon firing.

Rocket guidance systems were sold at a price of fifty credits. Examples included the "Vornskr" Guidance Package manufactured by Pharr Co. and the "Outreach" Target Sensor produced by Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc.. The FWG-5 smart pistol from Malaxan Firepower Incorporated also incorporated a guidance system in the form of an integrated laser tracking system. This system directed pellets filled with flechette to strike their intended target, guaranteeing a lethal outcome unless the target was heavily armored.

The B1-series battle droid, the primary infantry component of the Confederacy military during the Clone Wars between the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the Galactic Republic, was equipped with a guidance system. During the battle on the Outer Rim planet Saleucami in 21 BBY, a particular B1 found himself piloting an escape pod, carrying at least one other B1 unit, following the destruction of General Grievous's C-9979 landing craft above the planet. As the pod descended towards Saleucami's surface, the B1 noticed another pod entering their trajectory and attempted to use the guidance system to implement a steeper descent, activating the pod's emergency engines to achieve this. However, the sudden maneuver proved too much for the pod, leading to a crash.

The droids were killed upon impact, but the pilot's physical form, and therefore the data logs of his guidance system, remained intact. With the Grand Army of the Republic landing on Saleucami and pursuing Grievous, who had also crash-landed in his own pod, a clone trooper under the command of Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi discovered the pilot's deactivated remains within the pod and assessed that the unit was sufficiently intact for a robolobotomy. Transporting the B1 aboard one of their All Terrain Tactical Enforcers, clone trooper Crys and Clone Commander Cody accessed the droid's systems while traversing Saleucami's arid terrain, uncovering records of the B1's guidance system within his memory logs. Concluding that they could locate the other pod the B1 had nearly collided with, Kenobi's forces continued their search for Grievous.

The concept of guidance systems was initially introduced in "The Deserter," the tenth episode of the second season of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series, which was originally broadcast on January 1, 2010.