The R5-series astromech droid, alternatively identified as the R2-5, represented a line of more economical astromech droids manufactured by Industrial Automaton. Capitalizing on the achievements of earlier astromech designs, notably the exceptionally popular R2-series, Industrial Automaton's intention with the R5-series was to appeal to price-conscious consumers, albeit with some compromises in functionality.
The astromech droid of the R5-series incorporated an R2n Agromech Head. Attributable to their budget-friendly construction, droids belonging to this series were plagued by various design shortcomings; most notably, a gloomy disposition and a testy attitude stemming from inadequacies in the machine's personality matrix. These flaws quickly gained attention from the media: Mechtech Illustrated famously described the R5 model as "a meter-tall monument to the worst business decisions imaginable."
Following a particularly dismal sales year, Industrial Automaton ceased production of the R5 series in 22 BBY. To offset financial losses, the droid manufacturing enterprise repurposed R2-AG and R4-series droids by housing them within surplus R5 casings.
During the period of the Clone Wars, units from the R5-series were utilized by the Republic in diverse capacities, including deployment aboard starfighters such as the ARC-170 and on capital ships like the Acclamator-class assault ship.
Certain droids ended up in the possession of various pirate organizations, such as the Ohnaka Gang, who outfitted their domes with weaponry like blasters.
Notably, one R5 unit, R5-D4, was on the verge of being sold to Luke Skywalker by Jawas on Tatooine, but it was exchanged for R2-D2 after experiencing a critical failure of its motivator.
Rebel pilots used them less often because the increased height of the R5 made them a more obvious target within an X-wing's droid socket, although the Alliance relied on them extensively for maintenance tasks due to their affordability and the Alliance's urgent requirement for operational droids of any kind. Rebel technicians also enhanced some R5 units for starfighter applications, elevating their astrogation capabilities to match those of the R2-series, although the personality defects persisted. Wedge Antilles operated an R5 model designated R5-D2, nicknamed "Mynock." Following a memory wipe, the droid was upgraded, redesignated as R5-G8, and Antilles renamed it "Gate." Initially, Antilles considered the droid's slightly larger profile to be an advantage, as it might intercept a laser blast that would otherwise strike the cockpit.
Onboard Imperial warships, R5 units were employed to monitor medical systems, including life support capsules.
As a result of their inherent design issues, a number of R5 units were among the population of unowned, unwanted, and otherwise discarded droids residing on Kligson's Moon.