Well i'm new so I don't know if some ones all ready beaten me to the idea. However I think making some sort of (available late game) ship carrying module would be a great addition to the game.

Think about it, by late game a civilization most likely would have access to compact yet powerful weapons and engines etc. Capable of turning a tiny hulled ship into a lightning fast and deadly fighter. The catch is because of the hull size your left with a cheap and capable fighter... only good for defense (no room for life support).

Now this carrying module would take up a lot of space, so much in fact only huge hulls could fit it. Except just enough room for long range light suppport and a decent engine or two.

Now here's where things get complicated...

You get a fleet of these fighters (lets say six) and a carrier. Move the fighters on to the same space as the carrier (or vise-versa) and load them up, just like troops or civilians.
Now just send the carrier of out of range (for the fighters) of planets and starbases.

The Carrier acts as the fighters own base so they can be 'launched' making them appear on the map about the size of a freighter on a trade route. The carrier remains still while the fighters patrol an area (about the range of the fighters) around the carrier.

If anything crosses one of the fighters path (like a freighter) it will immediatly attack it. except it will count as all the fighters attacking it (they all converge on the target or something like that), maybe the carrier can give them an attacking bonus as well.

If something that fights back attacks the fighter the same thing applies. However if the fighters are destroyed it only counts as one being destroyed (the others retreat back to the carrier).

Perhaps an option to leave damaged fighters inside the carrier where they will be repaired over a few turns.

If something were to attack the carrier directly while all the fighters would come to defend and any destroyed would be gone for good. If the carrier gets pulped then all the fighter are immediately destroyed (the fighters are captured or retreat into deep space where they run out of fuel etc).

Well thats about it, to me it seemed like a good idea and it gives a new perspective on sabotaging (or defending) trade routes. As well a vanguard you could throw in the way of an approaching armada, to slow it down while you churn out some warships.

So whats everyone think?Is it a great idea or would it just unbalance the game some how?

P.S: sorry about the really long post.