Don't we already have this? 2G vs 2H (and ditto for all other classes); trades energy for weight.
While I'd argue they could replace it with a single module and just make it engineerable, on second thoughts that would preclude anybody without Horizons.
I still fail to see why the SRV bay isn't like the SLF bay though and just "prints" the SRV as required. Or conversely that the SLF bay has "X" number of "reprints".
Ridiculous that explorers have to be so careful with their SRVs for months on end. Half the fun was when a bug meant we got unlimited SRVs for a while and could engage in all sorts of shenanigans during DWE1.
Does anybody use them? 2G=26000cr, 2H=18000cr What's the point? "H" SRV bays should just be removed from the game.
Also SRV bay mass is unbalanced.
2G=6t
4G=10t
6G=17t
If "normal" doubling rules had been followed then:
2G=6t
4G=24t
6G=96t
But that isn't what we got. We got big SRV bays that don't have enough mass to even notice on larger ships, and the small SRV bay is a lead weight to low-mass ships.
Lightweight SRV bay engineering will help correct that imbalance.
Some quickie numbers (stock with max g5 fsd + mass manager - 2G srv = jump range lost, numbers from coriolis.io):
Adder (35t): 31.36 - 29.15 = 2.21
Cobra3 (180t): 35.90 - 35.09 = 0.81 (at 180t the reduction is already much less, 4G is only -1.33 which is still less impact than the rest of the light ships)
Eagle (50t): 29.15 - 27.23 = 1.92
Hauler (14t): 34.28 - 29.46 = 4.82 (SRV bay hurts Hauler the most)
Courier (35t): 30.40 - 28.32 = 2.08
iEagle (50t): 28.32 - 26.51 = 1.81
Sidey (25t): 26.37 - 23.42 = 2.95
Viper3 (50): 26.45 - 24.87 = 1.58
There is also the speed and maneuverability reduction as well, making these small ships less able to run away.
To me, this request is very much about giving small ships a much needed "buff".