The MC80a Mon Calamari Cruiser features greater starfighter carrying capacity, and like its predecessor the MC80, this monstrosity is organically-shaped and appears to be constructed with no standard plans or specifications. These converted luxury liners, amazingly capable of challenging one of our mighty Imperial Star Destroyers are difficult to put down. Due to their numerous redundant systems that ensure that they are not effortlessly crippled. Mounted with reinforced armour plates, they not only serve in the direct combat role, but also as mobile starfighter bases for the Rebellion. Later, these vessels of war would form the backbone of the New Republic Fleet.

    Imperial Naval theorists have reluctantly acknowledged that the bizarre combination of Mon Calamari and Quarren who crew these ships are superior spacefarers than our own. The Mon Calamari have managed to squeeze impressive speed and handling from vessels that would normally be considered cumbersome. MC80a design combines rugged durability, exemplary speed and manoeuvrability. Its two starfighter wings (a Rebel wing is half the size of an Imperial wing) can in its entirety be scrambled at a moment's notice, since all fighters are kept constantly flight ready. Further assisting response time is the MC80a's enhanced deep-space early detection system and the fact that the pilot's quarters are adjacent to the hangers. Some MC80a's boast at least four hanger bays, which are located slightly aft of the amidships.

    Although, many different species crew them, flight controls are entirely left up to the Mon Calamari crews. This is due to the fact that the holo-navigational, battle graphic displays and optical targeting systems are designed for Mon Calamari physiology. Additionally, much of the flight control systems are controlled via highly-specialized, swiveling operator's seats, in which subtle movement of one's arms, legs and feet are employed to manipulate the controls. While this system leaves the operator's hands free for other tasks, non-Mon Calamari find these movements arduous if not impossible to replicate. In short, the control and operational challenges found in the MC80 are also found in the MC80a.

    Like the MC80, this series also features alternate engine placement. Its aft blisters contain the fuel storage bunkers. On some ships, the dorsal aft portion of the ship maintains the main reactor, which juts out from its aft cowl. Its main bridge could be found on the dorsal mid section. The immense hanger maintains luminous floor arrows for personnel direction. Its access hatches are shaped like irises, and its main corridors are large enough to accommodate five men abreast, which curve every which way, while the tributary hallways are smaller. Not all sections of these cruisers are well lit. Lower decks can contain the unmodified-Quarren areas which feature dim-lightening. Storage rooms such as V-2117 can be found in these areas. A starfighter pilot cabin (such as cabin 11489) contain a small desk and chair with an old personal holo deck, refresher, and a wall-retractable cot. Flight simulators (organized into rows), pilot ready rooms with holo decks and food dispensers (for snacks), holo film rooms, and mess halls are found onboard. There are at least seven briefing rooms, which are dominated by a 3D holo projection map, and hold auto-contour seats for the pilots. Executive dining rooms, several large concourses for supporting the crew are also found. The MC80a is organized into four quadrants, with the bow quadrant being devoted to planning and navigation. Some ships like the MC80a Independence, maintain some of their previous luster, such as Lucky Lower Thirteen which formally was a ballroom, that has since been employed as a meeting area for the crew.

*After Endor* Fourteen years after Endor, these vessels continue to serve the New Republic, with an example being the MC80a Naritus.