[X] Atomic Torpedoes (Prototype)
The prototype atomic torpedoes have substantially higher yields than the spatial torpedoes, utilizing a very compact warhead that nonetheless delivers quite a pop of radiation when it detonates, evaporating armor and hull plating alike. But when you get the notification that the Warp 5 Engine is finished, it's time to go. From what you hear it isn't quite "warp five" and the hope is that later optimisations to injectors and warp coils will get it the rest of the way, and it is entirely possible that a year or two of prolonged use and tweaks will get the rest of the promised velocity out of the design. Unfortunately there is sometimes just no substitute for practical experience.
The Warp 5 Complex in orbit is gearing up for the production of the testbed NX-class vessel, and you have all the resources of United Earth Starfleet at your disposal to make it happen. Your first task is designing the primary hull, where a couple schools of thought quickly emerge. The first is to use a large saucer, completing the partial disk of the Stingray class. This would provide you plenty of internal space along a short vertical axis. While the sublight engines would need to be positioned elsewhere, it would give you plenty of options down the road for auxiliary systems.
Option number two is to keep the Stingray-style half-saucer at a larger scale, utilizing the bisected areas to mount the impulse drive. The disadvantage to this is that you will be left with less utility to play with in the interior by quite a significant margin thanks to the smaller volume and space set aside for the engines.
In either case that's only the primary hull, with the structure of the nacelles and potential hull expansions still undecided. You may be able to offset the disadvantages of either choice later down the line, although there's no denying that the full saucer is the path towards the objectively largest design you could build with its extra mass over the competition. On the other hand, there's nothing saying you can only install engines on the half-saucer, either.
[ ] Full Saucer Primary Hull (More Internal Space) (Industry: 13)
[ ] Half-Saucer Primary Hull (Less Internal Space) (Industry: 11)
Free Industry: 14.4 (Next Year: 17.2)
NX-class Prototype: Subsidised
Stingray-class Production: 20 (Ends 2152)
Merchant-class Production: 24 (Ends 2152)
