The Endurance-class fleet carrier functioned as the central component for New Republic fleets. These fleets were primarily composed of New Class warships.
An Endurance possessed a Class 1 hyperdrive system and the capacity to transport 1,600 soldiers, along with consumables sufficient for a five-month duration. However, to accommodate the expanded fighter complement, the ship's weapons systems were reduced. Endurance-class fleet carriers only featured a secondary array of armaments, including twelve turbolaser cannons, twenty laser cannons, eight ion cannons, and four tractor beam projectors.
Although the hull integrity was improved, the shields were noticeably weaker. Although they had a potent anti-starfighter defense system, these carriers typically relied on escort ships and starfighters for protection. Their purpose was not direct combat engagement, but rather the deployment and coordination of smaller vessels.
An Endurance-class ship's offensive strength was derived from its complement of nearly four starfighter wings. One wing specialized in short-range attacks, consisting of K-wing bombers and Defender starfighters for close-quarters support. Another wing focused on long-range superiority, composed of hyperdrive-equipped fighters such as E-wings, A-wings, and X-wings.
The introduction of fleet carriers signified a shift in the Republic's approach to military strategy. In contrast to the Imperial Navy, which relied on larger, heavily-armed warships like the Imperial-class Star Destroyer, the New Republic opted for smaller gun platforms, emphasizing the role of starfighters in projecting power.
In line with New Class design principles, the Endurance-class fleet carrier shared a fundamental hull and system design with the Nebula-class Star Destroyer—although this commonality obscures the fact that the Star Destroyer was apparently designed first, as part of the Defender project, so that the Endurance-class could also be seen as a Star Destroyer variant with heavy weapons replaced by extra fighters just as on the earlier Venator-class Star Destroyer.
Beyond its function as a starfighter base, the Endurance also served as a command platform. Often, task force commanders and high-ranking fleet officers utilized these carriers as their flagships. For example, Admiral Areta Bell commanded from the lead ship, Endurance, during the Orinda campaign of 12 ABY, until its destruction during the Battle of Orinda by the Imperial Remnant.
Until recently, the sole official visual depiction of the Endurance-class fleet carrier originated from the RPG sourcebook titled Cracken's Threat Dossier. Unlike some other designs from the New Class Modernization Program that were said to utilize common hull forms, the carrier's image bore a close resemblance to the Nebula/Defender-class Star Destroyer. Distinguishing features included a sizable saucer section atop the bridge tower (potentially reflecting the carrier's command role) and a second, smaller tower located at the ship's front. Misinterpretations of the Before the Storm's description, specifically reading fat-hulled as flat-hulled, have occurred. This misunderstanding simplifies the reconciliation of the CTD image.
More recently, Starships of the Galaxy presented a revised image of the Defender-class Star Destroyer (now retconned to being the Nebula-class), characterized by a sleeker design and the absence of a bridge tower.
A fresh depiction of the Endurance-class fleet carrier is featured in the Essential Guide to Warfare. This new image mirrors the Nebula-class Star Destroyer image from Starships of the Galaxy.