Having recently revisited the Asp Explorer and using it at a high RES site for the past few days, I'll respectfully disagree. The location of 4 of the hardpoints is excellent, the other two not the best, but perfect for rail guns... or missiles, which is what I'm using. While it's not quite as maneuverable as my beloved DBS, it's not bad getting it turned around using FA-off and it has the extra two hardpoints that I wished the DBS had. It also has fairly good shields, even class 6 if you chose to configure it that way along with a decent power plant, the extra utility mounts, and internal space to be fitted quite well for combat... not to mention the extra jump range. Anyway, I'll vote to leave it alone.
Personally, I think the ship to shoot for if you want more power is the FDL, although the sticker shock along with needed an extra 25 to 30 mil to do it up right. I had one for a time before I cleared my save and it was nice, but after having the Asp X, I wish that FD would make a huge dual-fire missile hardpoint... that would get me back into the FDL, however, I think I'll stick with the Asp for a while.
Asp is already one of *the* best all round ships. If anything it's too good IMHO.
I won't got go as saying that it's too good as it definitely has it's weaknesses. It's fairly vulnerable in turn as it makes a pretty good target, well maybe not as bad as the billboard... I mean the Python... of course it also can't take the punishment that one can.
This gent made a comment in a thread I started the other day... made me chuckle.
Pretty sure every Asp explorer combatant is a diehard. It's about as close to a flying coffin as you get! [hotas]