[Phoenix-D]

On 1: I think they need at least one engine for that to work.

"2) I want to design the new Launcher component (Capacity is too small for usefulness with regular drones, but just big enough for a volley of the mini ones) with the ability to manufacture more of them when outside of combat. How would I best set the SY ability to prevent, or at least try to , using the mini-fac to build cruisers or something?"

You make your mini missiles cost only, say, Minerals. Then your SY ability is given a 0 point speed for organics and radioactives; since all normal ships need those, you won't be able to build normal ships with it.

Give the drones no supply storage and they'll self-destruct after combat. Otherwise any that don't reach their target (i.e. the ones left over after it blows) will sit around the sector until their supply runs out.