The wings of that thing remind me more of the Descent 3 Pyro-GL. Especially with engines shaped like those.
I think it would be more Ulyssesish if the wings swept back slightly further --- it's still one heck of a thin fighter, so it shouldn't really affect being able to hit it much.
I think the million dollar question is,
----> Is this intended as a Hercules Mk II type of Mark II? Where the ship is made weaker for faster speed and maneuverability? Or is this ship going to be a ship that is intended to outperform the other in every single way (GTF Perseus vs GTF Valkyrie)? In that case, it might be larger, hold more weapons, maybe have some new flaws or advantages like stronger shields but weaker hull or vice versa, dynamics like that.
In any event, the way the ship is intended to be an "improvement" over its original design should impact its appearance. Whenever designing a Mark II, you must have a reason for every change from the original --- a reason based on the performance of the original in the original game and how it might become necessary to change it. Even the extra sleekness of the Hercules Mark II is justified:
The only reason that the Herc Mark II is sleeker than the Mark I is to make it easier for the Herc2 pilot to evade enemy fire.