The Pathfinder-class scout ship, a scout vessel, was initially manufactured by Vangaard Industries more than sixty years prior to the establishment of the New Republic.
A distinguishing feature of the Pathfinder was its uniquely designed shield generator. When the shields sustained an impact, the absorbed energy was redirected to the ship's turret-mounted laser cannon, thus boosting its offensive capabilities. However, after absorbing three impacts, the generator would overload, rendering the ship's shields temporarily inoperable. Some of the initial production models were actually destroyed because of shield generator explosions. A number of scouts and pilots who operated Pathfinders chose to replace the original shield generators with more standard models that were not susceptible to overloading. Others opted to retain the original generators, either to avoid the 10,000 credit cost of a replacement shield generator or to maintain the weapons systems' damage-absorbing capabilities.
Despite the shield issues that led to Vangaard halting the Pathfinder's production, it achieved success as a privately-owned scout ship, even up to the New Republic era. It was affordable, provided ample space for a scout's cargo and passengers, could function for six standard months without resupply, and (aside from the shields) was remarkably dependable.
Upon its debut, the Pathfinder-class scout ship represented a state-of-the-art scout vessel, being among the first ships of its size to incorporate a hyperdrive and computer-assisted weapons systems.
Even as late as 7 ABY, it remained highly favored among private owners and independent scouts. Two Pathfinders were actively used by the Black Hole Pirates shortly before the group's departure from the Black Hole sector in 22 BBY.
The Atrivis Advancer was a Pathfinder in the service of the Alliance to Restore the Republic, piloted by Flinor Tekkirl. The Shistavanen scout Yurdak Fav was the owner of a modified Pathfinder named the Zol-Uvena. The Alliance scout Jobany Cyrs piloted the Outward Bound, a Pathfinder that had been a family heirloom for numerous generations.