I'll agree that you can hit a gnat. Give the gnats equal intelligence to yours, the knowledge that you're out to kill them, the awareness of your position and abilities, and networked communication, and I doubt that you would be able to smash an entire swarm of them in a single blow before they can move out of the way. That's how SE4 fighter-ramming works. If it changes so only one or two are killed at a time, then fine. I can see a 800kt ship hitting a couple of 15kt fighters, provided that they get too close.
I agree that the source of the problem is that combat movement tends to equal maximum range (or at least maximum hittable range) at all tech levels. ISTR that negative combat movement bonuses don't work.

Increasing weapon range would take away an advantage of seekers. AIs would also waste shots/supplies firing at range 15 with 1% chance to hit.
Maybe bonus movement shouldn't be counted towards combat movement. How much will a solar sail help you maneuver? You need something with thrust in combat.
[ February 04, 2003, 14:53: Message edited by: Krsqk ]
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The Unpronounceable Krsqk
"Well, sir, at the moment my left processor doesn't know what my right is doing." -
Freefall