[Ed Kolis]

Yep... see those little letters on the AI's weapons in the enemy designs view (and yours when you put mounted weapons on)? Those are abbreviations for the weapon mounts - L for Large (2x damage ships / 3x bases), H for Heavy (3x damage ships / 5x bases), and Massive (5x damage ships / 7x bases). (And the base and weapon platform Versions get range and to-hit bonuses, too - an ordinary Ripper Beam might not be a threat - just move faster than he does and he can't hit you - a Massive Base Mount Ripper Beam can shoot as far as all but the most advanced ship weapons and causes a WHOLE LOT of damage!!!)