Version 1.09 (03/08/2026)
By Durandana
Full credit goes to DrBullwinkle and their original mod: Drone Carrier Software 2 - DCS2: viewtopic.php?t=337889
Full credit for the original Anarkis Defense System 2.65 goes to Serial Kicked: viewtopic.php?t=246767
Posting with both of their permissions given via the 3rd Party Permissions Index: viewtopic.php?p=3185650
Intro Blurb
This is my total overhaul of DrBullwinkle's excellent Drone Carrier Software 2 and a modified version of Serial Kicked's Anarkis Defense System 2.65, tweaked to work properly with my DCS3 mod.
The mod creates drones for use in battle directly on the carrier itself, no external supplies beyond money are required (if running in "paid" mode).
The mod is only available in English and for the latest Albion Prelude version, it may run on X3: Farnham's Legacy but I have not tested it (XRM on AP is just too good).
Overview
DCS3 completely overhauls the original DCS2 with configurable drones, laser load-outs and missiles.
DCS3 will run on any ship with at least one docking slot and the base game's Carrier Command Software.
There is a global option to have either zero cost carriers or full running costs based on the average price of each drone and their laser load-outs. These costs are calculated once a drone and its load-out has been selected and will be displayed under each drone type in the UI. Players are only charged when each drone is actually built.
The selection of drones to be built is entirely based on the ships you have discovered, so as you explore the universe your options will expand. You may get lucky and see a rare ship!
Costs are entirely dependent on the universe, any changes to wares will be reflected in these costs.
It also includes some quality of life additions allowing carriers to automatically generate Mosquito missiles (30), Marines (5) and Fighter Drone MK II's (5) as well as automatically re-stock drones with missiles. These will also be either free or paid as per the global setting.
All of these options can all be toggled on or off at will.
For an exhaustive list of each aspect of the mod, please read the readme provided in the zip file.
On its own, DCS3 will not actually use the drones, it only produces them. A built in combat system is planned (something I did long ago broke DrBullwinkle's system, oops!), but for now I would recommend my modified version of Anarkis Defense System by Serial Kicked, which has been updated to work with any class of ship along with some quality of life tweaks such as Jumpdrive-teleport docking and a "Weakest enemy" targeting option.
Any system I do create myself will certainly pale in comparison to Serial Kicked's fantastic mod, but just in case there is a need to run the unmodified original ADS, a simple built in combat option may be useful.
Damaged drones can be repaired via ADS's mechanics who may be hired to work on each carrier, or any other method including sending them to shipyards or even just ejecting and using a repair laser!
I personally use DrBullwinkle's Marine Repairs (and Training) found here: viewtopic.php?t=324152
This combines with the regenerating marines nicely, though buying more will help with repair speed.
Installation
Both files can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing
To install, just extract the zip and drag and drop the contents into your "x3 terran conflict\addon" folder.
As stated above, I recommend my modified ADS as the combat control for the DCS3 drones so I have provided a zip which combines both DCS3 and ADS:DE into one. It is identical to the two separated mods and is purely for convenience.
If something happens with my Google Drive links please let me know and I'll try to find somewhere else to post the files.
Final Words
Any bugs or issues, please let me know. I have tested as much as I can on my own and believe it to be as bug free as realistically possible, but I am not an experienced modder or programmer so will have likely made mistakes!
Also, any suggestions for improvements or additions are welcome, including balance changes.
And full disclaimer, no "AI" was used at all in the process. So all honour and shame belongs to my sorry excuse for a brain!
Finally, thanks once again to DrBullwinkle and Serial Kicked for their original mods and for allowing myself and others to further mod their mods!
Happy flying!
Durandana