[HreDaak]

Hmmh.. thinking about shields, i think i was partly in error in my Last post.

When the AI researches new components in the
same family it checks this new components roman numeral. If this roman numeral is bigger than the older Versions in this same family it starts its redesigning process on all those designs that have a call for this family. When it chooses what components to incorporate into these new designs it checks their tech levels. So the roman numerals are only used on checking when to start this redesigning process. What components to use in its new designs are based on their tech levels.

Example:

AI is using shield V's in its designs. It researches phased shield I's but because their roman numeral is smaller than shield V's it does not start redesigning process on those designs that have a call for shields
(it wont start it on any designs). Later in the game the AI researches ECM jammer II's.
Its roman numeral is bigger than ECM jammer I's so the AI starts its redesigning process
on designs that have a call for ECM jammer family. In this redesigning process the AI
will use its latest technology and for this it will check tech levels. So the brand new attack ship forexample will be redesigned with phased shield I's and ECM jammer II's.