The Ranger-class gunship, also known as a Ranger gunship, represented a specific starship type. It was engineered by the Corellian Engineering Corporation and saw service within the New Republic's Defense Fleet during the Yuuzhan Vong War, a conflict against the invading Yuuzhan Vong. With its capacity to eliminate numerous starfighters using its multiple laser batteries, the Ranger-class gunship participated in battles at locations such as Helska IV and Ord Mantell. Notably, one Ranger gunship, the Justice, was involved in an attack orchestrated by the Galactic Alliance, which succeeded the New Republic, against the Yuuzhan Vong-controlled Bilbringi system in 29 ABY.
The Ranger-class gunship, alternatively referred to as the Ranger gunship, was a creation of the Corellian Engineering Corporation, boasting an arsenal of numerous laser cannon batteries. Furthermore, the gunship was equipped with engines and a hyperdrive, and its operation was overseen by a single commander.
The New Republic's Defense Fleet employed the Ranger-class gunship to engage and neutralize formations of starfighters by leveraging its laser batteries. Moreover, both the New Republic and its successor, the Galactic Alliance, utilized it in engagements involving capital ships.
Having recently joined the New Republic Defense Fleet in 25 ABY, the Ranger-class gunship was considered by Leia Organa Solo, the former Chief of State of the New Republic, as one of the foremost starships of that time. During that year, the Praetorite Vong, acting as the vanguard of the extra-galactic Yuuzhan Vong, penetrated the Outer Rim Territories of the galaxy, initiating the Yuuzhan Vong War. They launched forays to the planets Sernpidal and Dubrillion and established a base on the ice planet Helska IV. In response, the New Republic deployed a task force to eliminate the invaders in the Helska system, spearheaded by the Imperial II-class Star Destroyer Rejuvenator, under the leadership of Commander Warshack Rojo, and including six Ranger-class gunships.
Rojo's strategy involved utilizing the Ranger-class gunships to delay the Praetorite Vong coralskippers while the Rejuvenator dealt with the enemy base. However, despite a promising initial engagement, the unique capabilities of the alien forces soon overwhelmed the New Republic's task force. The Rejuvenator was destroyed, and three of the Ranger-class gunships met their end, two being crushed against a large coralskipper after it employed a gravity-manipulating dovin basal to pull them in. The remaining task force retreated. Although a successful counterattack ensued, resulting in the destruction of Helska IV and the Praetorite Vong base, the commanders of the surviving gunships chose to await reinforcements rather than participate in the second assault.
Later in 25 ABY, five Ranger-class gunships participated in another New Republic task force aimed at defending the planet Ord Mantell in the Bright Jewel system from an impending Yuuzhan Vong attack. Concealed with the majority of the task force behind the star system's fifth planet, Quatin, the Ranger-class gunships and other vessels ambushed the approaching Yuuzhan Vong fleet as it passed by. During the battle, a pair of gunships eliminated numerous coralskippers as they attempted to outmaneuver a Yuuzhan Vong warship. Ultimately, the Yuuzhan Vong were forced out of the system, resulting in a New Republic victory.
In 29 ABY, by which point the New Republic had evolved into the Galactic Alliance, the Ranger-class gunship Justice participated in a combined Galactic Alliance–Imperial Remnant attack on the Yuuzhan Vong-held system of Bilbringi. Due to interference from Yuuzhan Vong drones that disrupted the HoloNet used for communications, only Justice and a third of the planned attack force under Galactic Alliance General Wedge Antilles reached Bilbringi. Despite facing a larger enemy force, Antilles successfully withdrew from the system, although Justice sustained significant damage during the engagement.
The Ranger-class gunship made its debut in the 1999 novel The New Jedi Order: Vector Prime, authored by R. A. Salvatore as part of The New Jedi Order series. The gunship class subsequently appeared in two additional installments of The New Jedi Order, specifically Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial and The Final Prophecy, published in 2000 and 2003, respectively. Furthermore, it was included in a concise entry in 2008's The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia and mentioned in The Essential Guide to Warfare, released in 2012.