Ok this isn't really new and perhaps you've seen this before on FF or moddb.
But here is a first picture of our unit upgrade system for SWOTE:


Now the player needs to research new ship classes first before they're buildable.
Some ship classes will be replaced with the new, researched one
The tech system is only used by the Empire at the moment, I try to think of something else for the other factions.

Next thing:
We're going to change the Consortium to the Commerce Guild.
They'll unlock their units through the black market system now which is renamed to "Ship Market".
Furthermore there will be only two types of corruption left:
First the already announced ship market.
And the second one will be racketeering, renamed to "Trading Network".

moin
with the upgrade from Acclamator grade class at Victory are the Acclamator class no longer to build? what should I then use as cannon fodder in the slaughter
what is that the ship for a class next to the Dreadnaught-cruiser?

The Acclamator won't be buildable anymore.
The Dreadnought will serve as replacement for the acclamator.
The ship class next to the Dreadnought is the Loronar Strike Cruiser

moin
you must nilly, the Dreadnought saddled as cannon fodder.