[oleg]

The major problem with small fighter Groups is that they make a veeery long line attacking enemy. Usualyy it means that only a fraction of your fighters is capable to reach enemy ships every turn. It greatly reduces the burden on PDC. But if they attck en mass, they need to survive only one-two rounds of PD before firing. As to the damage transfer inside group, large fighters with cIII shields are rather tough. The only problem is religious race that can fire big guns and does not miss. Against other races large Groups are better, I think.