That's more like it. I say we push for a non-complex engine.
aT-J02: Following successful trials of the aT-J01, engineers working at the al-Tawrbinat company immediately set to work refining the construction process. Reports suggested that constructing jet engines was actually in some ways simpler than constructing piston engines; all they needed to do was tweak the materials used and streamline production, and mass-produced jet engines would be rolling off the assembly line in no time.
The result is an engine that, whilst having the same performance, is cheaper to manufacture due to the decreased complexity.
Either that, or we try to make them more powerful.
aT-J03: Judging that a few high-performance high-cost planes would outperform moderate-performance moderate-cost planes, the al-Tawrbinat company was instructed to upgrade their initial engine into something more powerful and reliable. The best metallurgists in Moskurg were recruited, shown the molten remains of an aT-J01 that was pushed past its limits, and told to fix it. They devised entirely new alloys, specifically designed for use in the new engine, whilst other engineers identified ways in which performance could be improved by tweaking the size and shape of the blades, or changing the layout of the combustor.
The result is an engine that, whilst costing the same, has an increased performance due to a higher heat tolerance and optimised construction.
Let's really dominate the air this turn. Show those Cannalans whose skies these are.
...but if people really want to, we could upgrade the Archer, I suppose.
UFS-DD-38/40 Pattern X 'Archer': After years of loyal, if short-lived service, the Archer is finally up for an overhaul. Cost considerations initially led to its complete lack of armour, but new construction techniques, plus the mines at Myark, have rendered the costs sufficiently low that the armour belt can now be clad in Medium Armour. The deck is still all but unarmoured. To maintain the same speed whilst lugging around this new armour, the engines have been upgraded, using a slightly more fuel-hungry design that should provide a substantial boost to output.
The Bumblebee turrets will be replaced with all-new 'Arrow' guns, with a 150mm calibre, designed to finally give the Archer some decent range.
Finally, combat data from the handful of Archers that managed to return to port after facing the enemy will be used to identify other minor areas in which the Archer could be improved. The Pattern X aims to be a ship that is no longer considered a literal deathtrap, although we still do not expect it to out-perform Cannalan vessels.
aT-J02: (1) NUKE9.13