Located on the frigid planet of Fest, the Weapons Research Facility served as a pivotal Imperial center for research and development. To ensure its security, it was fortified with a deflector shield generator, a couple of missile turrets, and a network of guard posts in the surrounding area. Before its destruction in 0 ABY at the hands of Rogue Squadron, the facility played a vital role in the advancement of various Imperial Military programs, notably the Dark Trooper Project.
Various Moffs oversaw the projects conducted at the Weapons Research Facility. Kohl Seerdon utilized the installation for the construction of AT-PTs. As part of the Dark Trooper Project, Rebus had the facility process phrikite and tydirium into the incredibly strong alloy known as phrik, which he then used to armor his droid designs. An Ewok prisoner was also held at the facility.
In the year 0 ABY, after mercenary Kyle Katarn captured Rebus on Anoat and revealed the facility's existence, the Alliance to Restore the Republic launched two raids against it. The Alliance had recently formed an alliance with the Atrivis Resistance Group, which gave them greater access to the sector. During the first raid, Kyle Katarn infiltrated the facility and managed to steal a phrik sample. The second mission involved a team of Rebel commandos who successfully entered the complex and stole three AT-PTs. However, their escape was jeopardized, necessitating support from Rogue Squadron. During the subsequent battle, Luke Skywalker destroyed the facility, its outposts, and missile turrets after the deflector shield generator was taken out.
The Weapons Research Facility made appearances in two video games: the first-person shooter Star Wars: Dark Forces from 1995 and the flight combat game Star Wars: Rogue Squadron from 1998. It was initially portrayed in the former as a research center for phrik and was last seen in the latter as an AT-PT factory that is obliterated during the game's eleventh mission.