Re: Hammerhead without AAF, and Hammerhead balance in general:
Before the Hammerhead had its small mounts changed from energy to energy/ballistic and its system was changed to reduce flux, it was considered the weakest of the destroyers (there was also quite a lot of forum chatter about it, so in a way its documented). Of course this was also before quite a number of other changes: Enforcers could stack 2 different engine booster hullmmods that carried no penalty, fighters were extremely weak so Medusa's had no common predator, the long range high performance medium ballistics (HVD, Heavy Mauler) had higher DPS, and offensive skills were vastly more powerful than defensive skills. It makes it hard to examine the strength of the destroyers across different versions, because the relative strength depends so heavily on the equipment they can use and the foes they face. I believe the Enforcer, Medusa, and Sunder have received no changes in many versions (other than maybe a DP/supply tweak?), but their relative usefulness has changed quite a bit.
The assault chaingun going from 400->600 by getting +50% per shot damage is a lot easier to analyze: it went from a lackluster weapon that was a bit 'meh' even in SO builds to being extremely strong. A Hammerhead with 2 of them and 4 lmgs will 'melee' for 1200HE + 600K, doubled with system with a 1.4 effective average DPS (though frontloaded, so it has 'alpha' compared to average). Its about 1.5 times the firepower of an SO Medusa for comparison, though the Medusa has the mobility and shield advantage (and the weakness to fighters). I also use the new AC on non-SO ships as 'point defense' when I expect to be swarmed by smaller enemies: I have a campaign Legion (recovered) that uses them to great effect. Its also a pretty good weapon against fighters believe it or not by virtue of sheer DPS.
A Hammerhead without AAF would be quite a lot weaker - maybe not as bad as the current Enforcer, but weaker than either the Medusa or Sunder for sure. Its pretty easy to see why: the system is a front loaded 1.4x on firepower at no flux cost. Is the current Hammerhead really 1.4 or more times better than other destroyers? I really don't think so. If it got a good other system to compensate it would be comparable: the base Hammerhead stats and weapons are solid. Maneuvering jets might be an interesting choice, as mobility/being swarmed is one of the current Hammerheads weaknesses, and it would be quite speedy with them.
If people would like to have it out and test to prove their points, I do stream exhibition matches. If people are unfamiliar with the tournament mod, it would be a simple matter for me to set things up if you provide me with variants, and I can make a simple mod to disable AAF on the Hammerhead. You should settle on some rules first though (SO or no SO allowed, allies allowed, total DP, AAF vs no AAF, etc).
And finally, putting on my other hat: So far this thread has been reasonably civil, but its been growing a bit heated. As a general reminder, everyone please continue to be respectful.