The Ringneck recon droid, which is also referred to as the Viper recon droid or the Separatist probe droid, represented a particular model of probe droid that was produced by Arakyd Industries. The Confederacy of Independent Systems utilized it extensively throughout the duration of the Clone Wars. These droids were manufactured in several different sizes, and one of the most intimidating versions was deployed to guard the Separatist fortress located on Lola Sayu.
During the Clone Wars, the Confederacy of Independent Systems employed the Ringneck recon droid. These specific probe droids were generally built for covert operations, such as spying on opposing forces and transmitting intelligence back to their commanders. Their roles in the field included reconnaissance, covert entry, and surveillance activities. They were equipped with integrated blasters, which enabled them to engage in combat situations. Arakyd Industries was the manufacturer of these droids, and they were produced in a range of different sizes.
Among the probe droids, the Ringneck recon droid, alternatively known as the Viper recon droid, was a particularly formidable model. With a height exceeding 1.65 meters, the Ringneck featured a prominent, spherical central photoreceptor in addition to a number of smaller photoreceptors distributed across the main structure of the probe droid. The Separatists regularly used this droid during the Clone Wars in their conflict against the Galactic Republic. Later, the Republic's successor, the Galactic Empire, also deployed the droid to combat the Spectres rebel group on the planet Lothal.
Another version existed as a smaller probe droid design that featured a retractable main photoreceptor mounted on its chassis. The Confederacy also utilized this specific model during the Clone Wars.
During the Clone Wars, on the world of Maridun, newly established Separatist command center deployed compact Separatist probe droids during the Neimoidian Lok Durd's expedition to the planet to test his defoliator superweapon. Later in the conflict, at the Citadel prison complex situated on Lola Sayu, the Separatist forces employed the smaller version alongside the larger Ringneck recon droids.
Following the Battle of Dathomir, a different, smaller version on Dathomir observed Morgan Elsbeth, Nali, and a pair of witches from the Mountain Clan as they searched for weaponry.
In the Imperial Era, after the Clone Wars concluded, the Galactic Empire utilized the droid on the occupied planet of Lothal. On Lothal, the probe droid was used to patrol Imperial facilities in conjunction with the smaller sentry droids and TIE fighters.
The Separatist probe droid made its debut in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars episode entitled "Defenders of Peace." It also appeared in the early-2015 mobile game Star Wars Rebels: Recon Missions, where it was simply labeled as a "Probe Droid." In the 2015 reference book Star Wars Rebels: Visual Guide: Epic Battles, the larger variant of the droid is identified as the Viper recon droid.