aliases:
- HardpointHardpoints are used in starships and planetary aerial vehicles to launch or drop ordnance for practical use. Different types of hardpoints are capable of carrying different types of ordnance. For example, a designation B/M-C2 hardpoint is capable of carrying bombs of up to explosive class 2 as well as any missiles of a similar size and mass. Traditionally, hardpoints are stored on the outside of the vehicle, but in recent decades modern aircraft and starships have begun to feature internal bays for weapons storage - allowing for more advanced radar stealth technology.
Hardpoints are separated based on their designations of HP#-C#. The first # refers to the type of hardpoint: B for Bomb, R for Rocket, T for Torpedo, M for Missile, C for Cruise Missile and X for any type. Slashes between types means it is variable between the listed types.
The second # refers to the relative class of the hardpoint. The model of a hardpoint can affect its performance, such as release time and stability. Hardpoint classes also relate to the size classes of the ordnance released from them. For example, a bomb with a size class of 3 can only be dropped from a class 3 or lower bomb hardpoint. X class hardpoints can carry any size class of ordnance. Missiles do not use classes, so missile exclusive hardpoints remain as X class.