View source for Talk:Federal Assault Ship/@comment-203.59.92.8-20151008113430

People rag on about the terrible hardpoint placement (Namely, the fact that they're nearly all on the bottom, thus inhibiting vieticle pitch targeting). However, as another commentor noted, this might change completely with horizons. You see, looking at the fed ships, I cant help but think they are primarily intended for atmospheric use. Heck, one of them is called a "Dropship", implying its primary role is rapidly deploying armed infantry into combat zones (Something that would be rather tricky in most starships due to their design).

You can laugh at these ships all you like, right up until you realise that the vultures top-mounted hardpoints make it useless for strafing ground targets, not to mention it has the aerodynamic properties of a brick. the fed ships, on the other hand, are clearly ideal bombers, able to shred ground targets with a wide line of fire from their bottom hardpoints. They also look like they can operate like harriers in atmosphere, another thing a vulture would struggle (if not flat out be unable) to do.

Frontier games has thus far proven to be playing a long game with elite dangerous, preparing things way in advance for future releases. i find it difficult to believe that they would make a line of ships that are obviously inferior in space without giving them a definetive edge elsewhere. I think atmospheric combat could definately be the game changer for these ships.

(p.s, I know the fed ships arent exactly aerodynamic themselves, but they do have design aspects that are clearly meant for use in terrestrial combat)