Project AETNAEUS is currently on stage AETNAEUS-SUPREMUM. If you still haven't installed new prototypes of A-CLE-95 POLYBOLOS, A-CPC-100 FALX and A-CPDU-22 AMPHORA (that's power distribution system) and other AETNAEUS-ALPHA prototypes (basically, snub-craft class weaponry) - please, do it as soon as possible. Project HEPHAESTUS on it's final stage and R&D team needs all the field data and telemetry data you can squeeze out so in future R&D team can upgrade and modify those accordingly. These are still "in development". AETNAEUS-BETA, or capital ship weaponry, are in a raw condition, so use with caution and do not overheat, over-stress or overdrive them. I am not going to get heavily into details as I am planning to release a full-scale report about special high-scale power distribution system for capital ship but we are still designing it.
Anyway, I am going to shift your focus from research and development to other kind of 'research'. As HEPHAESTUS is currently in, basically, hiatus, we need new material to research in order to not lose the momentum of recent successes in weapon-o-logy. Turned out that there is great opportunity to acquire and dissect drifting one jump away, waiting for us.
Ruined 'VALOR' class Gallic heavy battleship with almost intact heavy armaments. Currently it's in a state of burning husk, depressurized and we definitely can't board and fly away with it. But it's totally possible, in best case scenario, to tow it away, repair some systems and it might survive traverse through jumphole. But this is very optimistic. Realistically, it's just dead and best we can do with that pile of metal - scavenge it, scrap everything we can and rip out it's turrets. This is very destructive weapon, we can see results of using that kind of power few clicks in other direction - burning scrap left of Yukon. Still, it would be beneficial for our R&D department not to overlook such "awesome" opportunity. I request reviewing that question and HC should analyze possibilities. My hands are eagerly itching to lay them on such firepower.