Why is X-Shuttle designated as M3 and not M3+

[samoja]

I think that X-shuttle is far more on M3+ side than common M3, it has slightly less laser power and shield power, and less weapon mounts but its speed and ability to mount 200 mj shield (only matched by Argon Eclipse) more than makes up for it, it is definitely a few notches more powerful than your standard M3, so why the M3 designation?

[Geek]

Some of the Falcon M3 have 200 MJ too, so it is not enough I guess.
IE all M3+ have significantly more firepower and turrets.

[Cycrow]

the X-Shuttle also existed long before there was such a thing as M3+

besides, M3 and M3+ are the same class anyways, so it really makes no difference

[Alan Phipps]

It is also unique in TC and so not suitable for a player-owned carrier-load of them in vanilla where M3+ (or the well-shielded Falcon variants) can be devastating. I guess it loses out on the M3+ title because of the lack of defensive turrets.

[Earth Ultimatum IV.]

The ship is actually very powerful. Comparing to commonwhealth fighters, it´s 3x or 4x faster, has more shielding, has almost unlimited laser energy, cargobay is big enough to hold weaponry +10 missiles, +5 Keris drones and some E-Cells, enough to jump from Grand Exchange to Savage Spur.

But Aldrin Spitfyre is even better!

[Lone Jedi]

The simple explanation is the classification is broken. Some of the best fighters, such as Advanced Mamba, Spitfyre and Venti, are just M3s.

[Rhox]

As Cycrow said, the X existed long before the M3+ class was invented.

best regards,
Rhox

[Geek]

The simple explanation is the classification is broken.

It is not broken. M3+ are not intended to be the best fighters overall. Tthey are the "very heavy fighters" of TC/AP : heavier firepower and protection in exchange of a decrease in speed and maneuvrability.