[mac5732]

In regards to using the same ship name for retrofit, You could use the same name just insert a nunber after it. ie; Hawk, Hawk-1, Hawk-2, etc, or just rename it. up to you., retrofit button is the green triangle button on the top of screen, as well as having other uses.
Ramming does not always take out both ships, depends on what you have on it, like SJ said, armor, shields etc. the ;more you have the less likely chance the ship will be destroyed. However, you might receive little or heavy damage to the ship even if it does survive so have a repair faciclity ship handy if you want toa re-use it.

just some ideas mac