Ringneck recon droid
The Ringneck recon droid, alternatively known as the Viper recon droid or the Separatist probe droid, represented a probe droid model line produced by Arakyd Industries. The Confederacy of Independent Systems utilized it extensively during the Clone Wars. These droids were manufactured in multiple sizes; one particularly imposing version defended the Separatist fortress located on Lola Sayu.
Description
Throughout the Clone Wars, the Confederacy of Independent Systems employed the Ringneck recon droid. These probe droids were generally designed for covert operations, including spying on enemy forces and transmitting gathered intelligence to their commanders. Their operational roles encompassed reconnaissance, infiltration, and surveillance activities. They were equipped with integrated blasters, enabling them to engage in combat situations. Arakyd Industries manufactured them, producing them in diverse dimensions.
The Ringneck recon droid, which was also called the Viper recon droid, stood out as one of the more formidable probe droid variants. Reaching heights exceeding 1.65 meters, the Ringneck featured a prominent, spherical central photoreceptor accompanied by several smaller photoreceptors distributed across the probe droid's primary structure. The Separatists consistently deployed this droid against the Galactic Republic throughout the Clone Wars. Later, the Republic's successor, the Galactic Empire, also used the droid against the Spectres rebel group residing on the planet Lothal.
Another configuration was a compact probe droid featuring a retractable primary [photoreceptor](/article/photoreceptor] integrated into its chassis. The Confederacy also employed this model during the Clone Wars.
History
On Maridun during the Clone Wars, a recently established Separatist command center dispatched small Separatist probe droids during the Neimoidian Lok Durd's expedition to the planet; this was for the experimentation of his defoliator [superweapon](/article/superweapon]. Later in the conflict, at the Citadel [prison](/article/prison] complex on Lola Sayu, Separatist forces deployed the smaller variant alongside the larger Ringneck recon droids.
Following the events of the Battle of Dathomir, a different compact variant on Dathomir observed [Morgan Elsbeth](/article/morgan_elsbeth], Nali, and a pair of witches belonging to the Mountain Clan as they searched for weaponry.
In the Imperial Era after the Clone Wars ended, the Galactic Empire utilized the droid on the occupied world of Lothal. On that world, the probe droid was used to patrol Imperial facilities in conjunction with smaller sentry droids and TIE fighters.
Behind the scenes
The Separatist probe droid made its initial appearance in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars episode titled "Defenders of Peace." It was again featured in the 2015-era mobile game Star Wars Rebels: Recon Missions, identified simply as a "Probe Droid." The reference book Star Wars Rebels: Visual Guide: Epic Battles from 2015 identifies the larger droid variant as the Viper recon droid.