This is something I've been thinking about making a thread about for ages now... not the missile launcher specifically though. But simply about the need for new weapons types as well as remoddled existing weapons. There are cap ship turrets that exist in game that look legit like something you'd find in RL or would see in sci-fi for ships with turrets, but then there are the turrets that are literally tubes swiveling on a single axis pivot, connected to another single axis pivot point. Why can't the Devs, or rather, some member of the community design new aesthetically pleasing and realistic turrets / guns? And on top of that, new types of weapons such as this awesome missile launcher.
Such a weapon as this existing in game would be perfect I think because, the slow launch of the missile could lead to an interesting combat mechanic. An enemy fighter could, if in range, turn and focus on destroying the missiles before they get to speed, while in combat, or would have to let the missiles pass in order to keep enemy fighters off of themselves or other members of their side. It would add an interesting twist to combat strategy and such. There are a LOT of things that could be added to the game, such as equipment and the like that would completely change the combat dynamic of the game that I've even made a list of a year or 2 ago that I still have tacked to the note board above my desk.
Other than that bit of rambling, looks sweet, Geoff. If this were to ever interest the Devs, I'd think something similar for gunboats would be a bit of a change. Dedicated long range missile boats would be something I'm sure a lot of crappy PVPers would appreciate giving a try. Please don't start an argument over missile spam vs get good scrub as a result of my saying this? Not all of us have as good reflexes or manual dexterity as others. Carpel tunnel syndrome is a demon when it comes to this game.