Here are the 3 best ships in the game.
Sorry this is all I have at the moment
Please note the max points of each attribute = attribute limit + 30 (2 addons)
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ORD: Patrol ship (buy at AQUILA)
Start points + Upgrade potential: 90 + 850
Max Weapon: 160 points, primary damage: 18.2, secondary damage: 62, missiles 44
Max Manu: 150 points, 9.3
Max Armor: 160 points, 432, bots 12
Max Shield: 140 points, 430
Max speed: 140 points, 9.2
Max Engcell:130 points, 7.2
Max Jammer: 130 points, 0.3
Max target: 140 points, 9000
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EMD: Valkyre (VLK-2) (buy at CAELUM)
Start points + Upgrade potential: 90 + 800
Max Weapon: 150 points, primary damage: 17.5, secondary damage: 60, missiles 41
Max Manu: 150 points, 9.3
Max Armor: 150 points, 415, bots 11
Max Shield: 150 points, 445
Max speed: 140 points, 9.2
Max Engcell:140 points, 7.6
Max Jammer: 130 points, 0.3
Max target: 140 points, 8700
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Makkinist: Dronax (buy at CANIS MAJOR)
Start points + Upgrade potential: 100 + 900
Max Weapon: 150 points, primary damage: 17.5, secondary damage: 60, missiles 41
Max Manu: 160 points, 9.0
Max Armor: 140 points, 398, bots 10
Max Shield: 140 points, 430
Max speed: 140 points, 9.2
Max Engcell:150 points, 8
Max Jammer: 140 points, 0.3
Max target: 130 points, 8700
As you can see, ORD: Patrol ship has the most Shield+Armor, and the greatest damage point, and the maxium targeting range, so it's the best fighter for fighting. Makkinist: Dronax has the maxium points, and can get more space on attributes space and weight, so it's best fighter for hijack cargo. EMD: Valkyrre 2 is general OK, but lack the upgrade points.