The MC95 Star Cruiser was a Star Cruiser class designed by the Mon Calamari that existed in the galaxy around the time following the Battle of Crait in 34 ABY, during the war between the First Order and the Resistance. By 35 ABY, the Mon Calamari monarchy and the Resistance naval forces both operated multiple Star Cruisers of this class.
As part of the Citizens' Fleet, numerous MC95 Star Cruisers participated in the Battle of Exegol, which resulted in the final defeat of the Sith Eternal forces and the destruction of the Sith. Several sub-models were developed from the MC95 Star Cruiser, including the MC95A, MC95B, MC95C, MC95D, and MC95E models.
The MC95 Star Cruiser represented a Star Cruiser class originating from Mon Calamari design. Building on the success of the MC80 Star Cruiser and MC85 Star Cruiser, the Mon Calamari produced the MC95, also creating at least five sub-variants: the MC95A, MC95B, MC95C, MC95D, and MC95E. The MC95 was outfitted with a hyperdrive, enabling it to enter hyperspace at lightspeed, and it also featured engines. The MC95 Star Cruiser included a bridge and two hangars. Like other Mon Calamari ships, the MC95 Star Cruiser displayed a rounded hull composed of various modules. It was vulnerable to being disabled by potent Force lightning strikes.
Being a capital ship, the MC95 Star Cruiser could engage in naval warfare and function as a flagship. Given its enormous size as a cruiser, the MC95 could effectively compete with some Resurgent-class Star Destroyers in battle, and it likely possessed powerful shields, common among MC-series star cruisers.
Following the Battle of Crait, during the Resistance's mission to Mon Cala, the Mon Calamari monarchy allied themselves with the Resistance. They sent Aftab Ackbar along with his starship, as well as several Nebulon-C escort frigates, MG-100 StarFortress SF-17s, and starfighters, to help the Millennium Falcon escape just before the First Order's arrival. Later, two ships of this kind participated in an attack on the Finalizer and two other Resurgent-class Star Destroyers above Batuu as part of a fleet strike. In 35 ABY, several MC95 Star Cruisers took part in the Battle of Exegol between the Resistance and the Sith Eternal.
The Star Wars comic book Allegiance 4 in 2019 marked the first appearance of the MC95 Star Cruiser, which was developed for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge according to Leland Chee of the Lucasfilm Story Group. Its identification initially occurred in an episode of Star Wars By the Numbers on StarWarsKids.com. Pablo Hidalgo subsequently confirmed that one of the MC95 Star Cruisers present in Galaxy's Edge was named the Ardency. This became official on May 24, 2018, after it was previously known as the "Alcatraz Pickle Ship" before its official naming.
The Ardency was specifically designed for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a ride at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge that initially opened on December 5, 2019. Phil Szostak began the process of selecting ships for use in Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker in August of 2018, some months after the model was produced for Galaxy's Edge. However, he clarified that Industrial Light & Magic's involvement may have started earlier.