Since IRL there are multiple versions of each fighter or bomber I guess the same principle could be applied to FS spacecraft with anything other than a tbm. Inferno builds and similar ensure that FSO will support that many versions.
The whole thing makes sense, though, since continuous technological development enables to make modifications to the original concepts. Not every single Hercules in the old GTA arsenal should have been the same.
Let me present you further development of the Perseus design. I picked up the Perseus because it's my favourite one...no doubt the same thing can be done with any other spacecraft. Here you are:
GTF Perseus-B
$Name: GTF Perseus-B
$Short name: TFight2t-03B
$Species: Terran
+Type: XSTR("Interceptor/Light Bomber", -1)
+Maneuverability: XSTR("Good", -1)
+Armor: XSTR("Average", 2983)
+Manufacturer: XSTR("Nankam Aeronautical", 2984)
+Description: XSTR(" ", 2985)
$end_multi_text
+Tech Description:
XSTR("Light bomber variant of the main Perseus design, the Perseus-B has been developed for the specific purpose of delivering small amounts of ordnance to better compete against warships. Combining the already effective anti-subsystem strike capabilities with the possibility of carrying a very limited amount of Cyclops torpedoes, the rare Perseus-B has been produced in a limited number but is nevertheless a formidable way to turn the tide of critical engagements.
The light bomber capabilities asked for a specific cost in terms of dogfight performance, which is paid with lower speed and turn rate. A slightly better reactor, however, ensures comfortable high speed and shielding while a special armor plating enables the Perseus-B's subsystems to have better resistance against any kind of weapon.", -1)
$end_multi_text
+Length: 17 m
+Gun Mounts: 2
+Missile Banks: 2
$POF file: fighter2t-03.pof
$Detail distance: (0, 180, 300, 1100)
$Show damage: YES
$Density: 1
$Damp: 0.15
$Rotdamp: 0.35
$Max Velocity: 0.0, 0.0, 75.0
$Rotation time: 4.1, 4.1, 4.1
$Rear Velocity: 0.0
$Forward accel: 2.0
$Forward decel: 1.5
$Slide accel: 0.0
$Slide decel: 0.0
$Expl inner rad: 35.0
$Expl outer rad: 95.0
$Expl damage: 35.0
$Expl blast: 2100.0
$Expl Propagates: NO
$Shockwave Speed: 0.0
$Allowed PBanks: ( "Subach HL-7" "Akheton SDG" "Morning Star" "Prometheus S" "Prometheus R" "UD-8 Kayser" )
$Allowed Dogfight PBanks: ( "MorningStar D" "Prometheus D" "Maxim D" "Circe" "UD-D Kayser" )
$Default PBanks: ( "Subach HL-7" "Prometheus R" )
$Allowed SBanks: ( "Rockeye" "Tempest" "Harpoon" "Hornet" "Tornado" "Hornet#Weak" "TAG-A" "TAG-B" ) ( "Trebuchet" "EMP Adv." "Cyclops" "Stiletto II" )
$Allowed Dogfight SBanks: ( "Tempest D" "Harpoon D" "Tornado D" )
$Default SBanks: ( "Stiletto II" "Cyclops" )
$SBank Capacity: ( 50, 50 )
$Shields: 395
$Shield Color: 100 100 255
$Power Output: 2.4
$Max Oclk Speed: 115.0
$Max Weapon Eng: 160.0
$Hitpoints: 285
$Flags: ( "player_ship" "default_player_ship" "fighter")
$AI Class: Colonel
$Afterburner: YES
+Aburn Max Vel: 0.0, 0.0, 155.0
+Aburn For accel: 1.2
+Aburn Fuel: 345.0
+Aburn Burn Rate: 60.0
+Aburn Rec Rate: 30.0
$Countermeasures: 55
$Scan time: 2000
$EngineSnd: 126
$Closeup_pos: 0.0, 0.0, -30
$Closeup_zoom: 0.5
$Shield_icon: shieldft-03
$Ship_icon: iconfighter2t-03
$Ship_anim: ssfighter2t-03
$Ship_overhead: loadfighter2t-03
$Score: 18
$Trail:
+Offset: 6.51 -1.76 -3.37
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Trail:
+Offset: -6.51 -1.76 -3.37
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Trail:
+Offset: 0 -4.30 -5.08
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Subsystem: sensors, 15,0.0
$Subsystem: communications, 15,0.0
$Subsystem: weapons, 15,0.0
$Subsystem: navigation, 15,0.0
$Subsystem: engine, 40,0.0
GTF Perseus-Bx
$Name: GTF Perseus-Bx
$Short name: TFight2t-03Bx
$Species: Terran
+Type: XSTR("Adv. Interceptor/Light Bomber", -1)
+Maneuverability: XSTR("Good", -1)
+Armor: XSTR("Good", -1)
+Manufacturer: XSTR("Nankam Aeronautical", 2984)
+Description: XSTR(" ", 2985)
$end_multi_text
+Tech Description:
XSTR("Further development of the GTF Perseus-B, the Perseus-Bx adds even more advanced energy output values, armor plating and the possibility of carrying the powerful Helios torpedo. The Perseus-Bx is even more rare than the Perseus-B and is only issues only to the very best pilots.
This version's role is to deliver a significant ordnance to critical targets to weaken and even destroy them, if possible. The high afterburner speed, that enables Perseus-Bx fighters to employ quick hit-and-run runs, somewhat compensates the low number of torpedoes a fighter-size spacecraft can carry", -1)
$end_multi_text
+Length: 17 m
+Gun Mounts: 2
+Missile Banks: 2
$POF file: fighter2t-03.pof
$Detail distance: (0, 180, 300, 1100)
$Show damage: YES
$Density: 1
$Damp: 0.15
$Rotdamp: 0.35
$Max Velocity: 0.0, 0.0, 75.0
$Rotation time: 4.3, 4.3, 4.3
$Rear Velocity: 0.0
$Forward accel: 2.0
$Forward decel: 1.5
$Slide accel: 0.0
$Slide decel: 0.0
$Expl inner rad: 40.0
$Expl outer rad: 100.0
$Expl damage: 45.0
$Expl blast: 2300.0
$Expl Propagates: NO
$Shockwave Speed: 0.0
$Allowed PBanks: ( "Subach HL-7" "Akheton SDG" "Morning Star" "Prometheus S" "Prometheus R" "UD-8 Kayser" )
$Allowed Dogfight PBanks: ( "MorningStar D" "Prometheus D" "Maxim D" "Circe" "UD-D Kayser" )
$Default PBanks: ( "Subach HL-7" "Prometheus R" )
$Allowed SBanks: ( "Rockeye" "Tempest" "Harpoon" "Hornet" "Tornado" "Hornet#Weak" "TAG-A" "TAG-B" ) ( "Trebuchet" "EMP Adv." "Cyclops" "Helios" "Stiletto II" )
$Allowed Dogfight SBanks: ( "Tempest D" "Harpoon D" "Tornado D" )
$Default SBanks: ( "Stiletto II" "Helios" )
$SBank Capacity: ( 55, 55 )
$Shields: 410
$Shield Color: 100 100 255
$Power Output: 2.8
$Max Oclk Speed: 120.0
$Max Weapon Eng: 165.0
$Hitpoints: 290
$Flags: ( "player_ship" "default_player_ship" "fighter")
$AI Class: General
$Afterburner: YES
+Aburn Max Vel: 0.0, 0.0, 160.0
+Aburn For accel: 1.3
+Aburn Fuel: 350.0
+Aburn Burn Rate: 65.0
+Aburn Rec Rate: 35.0
$Countermeasures: 60
$Scan time: 2000
$EngineSnd: 126
$Closeup_pos: 0.0, 0.0, -30
$Closeup_zoom: 0.5
$Shield_icon: shieldft-03
$Ship_icon: iconfighter2t-03
$Ship_anim: ssfighter2t-03
$Ship_overhead: loadfighter2t-03
$Score: 20
$Trail:
+Offset: 6.51 -1.76 -3.37
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Trail:
+Offset: -6.51 -1.76 -3.37
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Trail:
+Offset: 0 -4.30 -5.08
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Subsystem: sensors, 15,0.0
$Subsystem: communications, 15,0.0
$Subsystem: weapons, 15,0.0
$Subsystem: navigation, 15,0.0
$Subsystem: engine, 40,0.0
GTF Perseus-J
$Name: GTF Perseus-J
$Short name: TFight2t-03J
$Species: Terran
+Type: XSTR("Interceptor/Jammer", -1)
+Maneuverability: XSTR("High", 2982)
+Armor: XSTR("Average", 2983)
+Manufacturer: XSTR("Nankam Aeronautical", 2984)
+Description: XSTR(" ", 2985)
$end_multi_text
+Tech Description:
XSTR("The original GTF Perseus design was developed, one of its main roles was to employ surgical strikes against capships' subsystems. Although the Perseus was good at that role, it became clear that the development of a better suited variant would have been comfortable. Unlike the light bomber variant, the Perseus-B, the well known and accepted Perseus-J is has become a relatively common presence among allied squadrons. Thanks to the ability of carrying even better anti-subsystem weapons, the Perseus-J is the key to quickly disable and disarm an opposing ship, allowing other allied units to capture or destroy the enemy. It can also be used to jam transmissions and disrupt weak communication channels. The Perseus-J, unlike the other variants, keeps the dogfight capabilities of its precursor with minimal variations, thus allowing it to actively partecipate to dogfights and strike missions.
The development of this new version is extremely encouraging and has led R&D teams to develop new, effective weapons and pods to be carried by this superb jammer.", -1)
$end_multi_text
+Length: 17 m
+Gun Mounts: 2
+Missile Banks: 2
$POF file: fighter2t-03.pof
$Detail distance: (0, 180, 300, 1100)
$Show damage: YES
$Density: 1
$Damp: 0.15
$Rotdamp: 0.35
$Max Velocity: 0.0, 0.0, 78.0
$Rotation time: 3.5, 3.5, 3.5
$Rear Velocity: 0.0
$Forward accel: 2.0
$Forward decel: 1.5
$Slide accel: 0.0
$Slide decel: 0.0
$Expl inner rad: 25.0
$Expl outer rad: 75.0
$Expl damage: 25.0
$Expl blast: 1000.0
$Expl Propagates: NO
$Shockwave Speed: 0.0
$Allowed PBanks: ( "Subach HL-7" "Akheton SDG" "Morning Star" "Prometheus S" "Prometheus R" "UD-8 Kayser" )
$Allowed Dogfight PBanks: ( "MorningStar D" "Prometheus D" "Maxim D" "Circe" "UD-D Kayser" )
$Default PBanks: ( "Subach HL-7" "Prometheus R" )
$Allowed SBanks: ( "Rockeye" "Tempest" "Harpoon" "Trebuchet" "Stiletto II" "Hornet" "Tornado" "Hornet#Weak" "EMP Adv." "TAG-A" "TAG-B" )
$Allowed Dogfight SBanks: ( "Tempest D" "Harpoon D" "Tornado D" )
$Default SBanks: ( "EMP Adv." "Stiletto II" )
$SBank Capacity: ( 50, 50 )
$Shields: 360
$Shield Color: 100 100 255
$Power Output: 3.0
$Max Oclk Speed: 95.0
$Max Weapon Eng: 14.0
$Hitpoints: 270
$Flags: ( "player_ship" "default_player_ship" "fighter")
$AI Class: Major
$Afterburner: YES
+Aburn Max Vel: 0.0, 0.0, 135.0
+Aburn For accel: 1.0
+Aburn Fuel: 340.0
+Aburn Burn Rate: 60.0
+Aburn Rec Rate: 28.0
$Countermeasures: 50
$Scan time: 2000
$EngineSnd: 126
$Closeup_pos: 0.0, 0.0, -30
$Closeup_zoom: 0.5
$Shield_icon: shieldft-03
$Ship_icon: iconfighter2t-03
$Ship_anim: ssfighter2t-03
$Ship_overhead: loadfighter2t-03
$Score: 16
$Trail:
+Offset: 6.51 -1.76 -3.37
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Trail:
+Offset: -6.51 -1.76 -3.37
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Trail:
+Offset: 0 -4.30 -5.08
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Subsystem: sensors, 12,0.0
$Subsystem: communications, 12,0.0
$Subsystem: weapons, 12,0.0
$Subsystem: navigation, 12,0.0
$Subsystem: engine, 38,0.0
GTF Perseus-S
$Name: GTF Perseus-S
$Short name: TFight2t-03S
$Species: Terran
+Type: XSTR("Interceptor", 2981)
+Maneuverability: XSTR("High", 2982)
+Armor: XSTR("Average", 2983)
+Manufacturer: XSTR("Nankam Aeronautical", 2984)
+Description: XSTR(" ", 2985)
$end_multi_text
+Tech Description:
XSTR("Advanced and direct development of the GTF Perseus, the Perseus-S is a significant improvement to the original design. Although, if picked alone, the new modifications don't make any big difference, the whole result is a more than good interceptor fighter. This new version of the Perseus is currently being tested and there's no doubt it'll soon complement, if not replace, its predecessor. The only drawback is the cost of the new fighter, which may disencourage the mass production of this variant.", -1)
$end_multi_text
+Length: 17 m
+Gun Mounts: 2
+Missile Banks: 2
$POF file: fighter2t-03.pof
$Detail distance: (0, 180, 300, 1100)
$Show damage: YES
$Density: 1
$Damp: 0.15
$Rotdamp: 0.35
$Max Velocity: 2.0, 2.0, 85.0
$Rotation time: 3.1, 3.1, 3.1
$Rear Velocity: 0.0
$Forward accel: 2.0
$Forward decel: 1.5
$Slide accel: 0.0
$Slide decel: 0.0
$Expl inner rad: 25.0
$Expl outer rad: 75.0
$Expl damage: 25.0
$Expl blast: 1000.0
$Expl Propagates: NO
$Shockwave Speed: 0.0
$Allowed PBanks: ( "Subach HL-7" "Akheton SDG" "Morning Star" "Prometheus S" "Prometheus R" "UD-8 Kayser" )
$Allowed Dogfight PBanks: ( "MorningStar D" "Prometheus D" "Maxim D" "Circe" "UD-D Kayser" )
$Default PBanks: ( "Subach HL-7" "Prometheus R" )
$Allowed SBanks: ( "Rockeye" "Tempest" "Harpoon" "Trebuchet" "Stiletto II" "Hornet" "Tornado" "Hornet#Weak" "EMP Adv." "TAG-A" "TAG-B" )
$Allowed Dogfight SBanks: ( "Tempest D" "Harpoon D" "Tornado D" )
$Default SBanks: ( "Harpoon" "Hornet" )
$SBank Capacity: ( 50, 50 )
$Shields: 380
$Shield Color: 100 100 255
$Power Output: 2.3
$Max Oclk Speed: 115.0
$Max Weapon Eng: 160.0
$Hitpoints: 265
$Flags: ( "player_ship" "default_player_ship" "fighter")
$AI Class: Major
$Afterburner: YES
+Aburn Max Vel: 0.0, 0.0, 150.0
+Aburn For accel: 0.6
+Aburn Fuel: 345.0
+Aburn Burn Rate: 60.0
+Aburn Rec Rate: 30.0
$Countermeasures: 48
$Scan time: 2000
$EngineSnd: 126
$Closeup_pos: 0.0, 0.0, -30
$Closeup_zoom: 0.5
$Shield_icon: shieldft-03
$Ship_icon: iconfighter2t-03
$Ship_anim: ssfighter2t-03
$Ship_overhead: loadfighter2t-03
$Score: 20
$Trail:
+Offset: 6.51 -1.76 -3.37
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Trail:
+Offset: -6.51 -1.76 -3.37
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Trail:
+Offset: 0 -4.30 -5.08
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Subsystem: sensors, 13,0.0
$Subsystem: communications, 13,0.0
$Subsystem: weapons, 13,0.0
$Subsystem: navigation, 13,0.0
$Subsystem: engine, 39,0.0