Horizons Fighter hangar for medium ships

Skelturoth · Apr 30, 2018

Hello all!

I reckon this was the question multiple times already (at least on reddit), but here, i've only found some discussions, and i'd like to ask a question:

Will the fighter hangars ever be available for medium-sized ships like Aspx, Python, Clipper etc? The fighter ships are almost as twice as big as the SRV, but the bay could be set to face one of the sides of the ship, or - I might be asking too much now - is there a possibility for a smaller ship, that isn't necessarily made for fighting, but exploring instead, that would be light and fast, with small shields and no weapons? I know it, technically, won't have any purpose other than goofing around with it, but it would bring much joy to, I believe, a lot of players.

Please delete this if there was a post with similar content already.

Cheers o7

Lightspeed · May 1, 2018

It's a good question. It has been discussed before, but no reason not to again.

I agree it would be nice for these ships to carry a SLF, but if the SLF is capable of fighting (it is after all, a ship-launched fighter) then it gives increased fighting power to the ship. This causes a great imbalance in the fighting ability of the Python and Clipper, which already can bring a lot of fire-power to bear for their size. The Asp, I'm not so sure about.

Yes, an Exploration SLF would be an excellent addition to the game. It's regrettable that the radius of operation when the mother ship is close to a planet surface is so low (can't remember the figure). Improvements in this direction would be very welcome.

varonica · May 3, 2018

Skelturoth said:
Hello all!

I reckon this was the question multiple times already (at least on reddit), but here, i've only found some discussions, and i'd like to ask a question:

Will the fighter hangars ever be available for medium-sized ships like Aspx, Python, Clipper etc? The fighter ships are almost as twice as big as the SRV, but the bay could be set to face one of the sides of the ship, or - I might be asking too much now - is there a possibility for a smaller ship, that isn't necessarily made for fighting, but exploring instead, that would be light and fast, with small shields and no weapons? I know it, technically, won't have any purpose other than goofing around with it, but it would bring much joy to, I believe, a lot of players.

Please delete this if there was a post with similar content already.

Cheers o7

It depends on your etc, if you are asking about specific medium ships then that's a balance thing, if you are asking about all medium ships then yes already, the Keelback can load an SLF. I did have a mind to trade my T6E for a KE and take an SLF with me while exploring but I simply couldn't get the Keelback jump range up high enough to justify. I would be happy with around 30ly but un-engineered it simply can't do it.

varonica · May 3, 2018

Lightspeed said:
It's regrettable that the radius of operation when the mother ship is close to a planet surface is so low (can't remember the figure). Improvements in this direction would be very welcome.

30klms. Ideally a flying explorer should be able to dismiss the mothership just like the SRV, have no FSD to save weight and increase speed, maybe even a model with no shields or weapons, purely a speed demon with maybe 1000mps+ to enable it to outrun threats, and an enhanced sensor suite. We can dream I suppose.

Shadowdancer · May 3, 2018

The Federal Gunship can carry a fighter as well, but AFAIK that and the Keelback are the only two medium ships with that capability.

Spook 00 · May 3, 2018

We could have a small shuttle that could transport small amounts of cargo to the stations that don't have a large landing pad that could also be used on smaller ships for your goofing.

ChipStar65 · May 6, 2018

Spook 00 said:
We could have a small shuttle that could transport small amounts of cargo to the stations that don't have a large landing pad that could also be used on smaller ships for your goofing.

I like the idea of a moddable cargo mule.

Wardonis · May 22, 2018

ChipStar65 said:
I like the idea of a moddable cargo mule.

yes, that's an excellent idea, might work with mining too

Staarlord · Jun 3, 2018

I've always felt it beneficial to allow large ships docking privilege on smaller pads, via, a fighter. Much how larger sea vessels will have a tender boat to ferry to shore, or a smaller dock. Naturally you would only be able to hand in bounties and use contacts, but then again no reason you couldn't repair or fuel the larger ship, provided services are available.

Lightspeed · Jun 4, 2018

Graelock said:
I've always felt it beneficial to allow large ships docking privilege on smaller pads, via, a fighter. Much how larger sea vessels will have a tender boat to ferry to shore, or a smaller dock. Naturally you would only be able to hand in bounties and use contacts, but then again no reason you couldn't repair or fuel the larger ship, provided services are available.

A good idea. It would require a bit of work from FD to achieve this with the SLFs, such as giving them landing gear, and having the mother ship dismissed to "safe space" in case it gets shot up, but not impossible and probably easier to use game assets we have already, than design a whole new ship shuttle.