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Hailfire Droid

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officially known as the IG-227, this twin-wheeled combat droid was developed and financed by the InterGalactic Banking Clan, during the years leading up to the Clone Wars. Originally created for the IBC's Collections and Securities division, the Hailfire Droid - sometimes referred to as the Hailfire-class Droid Tank - was developed by Hoar Chall Engineering. This combat droid carried two racks of fifteen Hailfire missiles. It was this weapons system that gave the droid its name. The hoop-like wheels of the droid were propelled by a series of magna-pulse drives built into the supporting frame, allowing the droid to move silently and smoothly. These droids were built after the Galactic Senate voted to allow the IBC to defend its operations, and Hailfire Droids were originally dispatched to enforce the collection of debts from its various customers. After the IBC agreed to support Count Dooku and the Separatists, Hailfire Droids were given combat programming. Standing 8.5 meters tall at the top of the hoop wheels, the Hailfire droid could attain speeds over flat surfaces approaching forty-five kilometers per hour. The only drawback to the effectiveness of the Hailfire Droid was that it needed to leave the battlefield to be rearmed. After several months, the Hailfire Droid was partnered with a mobile refresh droid that could bring additional ordnance to the droid in the field. With the end of the Clone Wars, all Hailfire droids were issued orders to deactivate, as part of Darth Sidious' plan to consolidate military power and ensure the loyalty of his troops.