Asp Explorer - Long Range Smugger/Trader/Blockade Runner

Link: coriolis.io/outfit/asp/25A5A5A4A4A5A5C2a2a12121212000403-0504402t020101.Iw18WQ==.Aw18WQ==?bn=Smuggler

Ok, sorather than just posting my ship build, I thought that I’d describe how I runit and why it works:

Fuelling:
Extra fuel tank means that you can cover ½ the distance from the bubble to Maia without requiring a refuel – an essential safety margin if you’re running a lotof missions simultaneously and clear sectors are hard to come by. The fuel scoop will also collect1 maximum-range-jump’s worth of fuel before you hit the 80% heat warning, making hop-fuel-hop-fuel a possibility too (get your fuel when you can).

Cargo Space:
My primary concern with this build, I wanted to squeeze as much in as possible to make best use of the profit bonus for longruns. Therefore I’ve traded down on the shield and fuel scoop size to allow for 112T worth of cargo, really not bad for a 30milship build. This also makes the Asp useable for standard trading and rare trading for days that you want to be law-abiding.

Shields and Armour:
As said, the shields are down rated for the ship size. However, they provide enough protection if you are caught by something nasty and laid into – you have enough protectionthere to escape. To compensate for the shields, I have gone with Military Grade Composite armour, it only reducdes your max jump range by 4% and offers far greater protection. I have found these will also just about do if you are forced into combat with asingle assailant.

DASS (Defensive Aid Sub Systems):
I have gone for one shield booster, one chaff and one point defence, I have found this works best as it helps with the limited shield capacty, you have more than enough chaff for any missions you take and, when running from an assailant, if/when your shield does drop and before you can low/highwake out. You will find that you are often missiled, the pointdefences deal with this admirably.

Weapons:
Sometimes you have to fight, other times you may just choose to. Now, with the shielding, there is no way you’re taking on many opponents. However, with the burst lasers and rail guns you can spoilanyone’s day who interdicts you looking for some easy cargo.Often adding a tasty 15-30k to your trading run

Propulsion:
A grade FSD – for the range
A grade Engines – I always keep a full 4 pips in engine when smuggling, this enables you to successfully boost away from any AI scan attempt

Life Support:
A grade – you need the 25 minutes in case shit goes down 10 sectors from the nearest station

Power:

Some decisions were based on me wanting to run at/under 100% power consumption at all times. This is because, if faced with combat when fully loaded, I don't want to risk my cargo hatch or not being able to high wake out.