So I am in need of practicing my non-autoaim, but the only chance you get to do it is against other players and it makes it very hard to practice one thing many times (your friend, the human drone, blows up after one too many shots)

so here's the Idea

Large port weapon:

Drone Layer
Mass: 2000
Ammo: 40

each drone would be about the size of an Lmine, and could be programmed to perform basic maneuvers.

/msg *Drone circle 10

would make the drone move in a circle 10 m in radius.

you could have several basic maneuvers programmed in, but if a player wanted them to do something more complex they could use

/alias blah "maneuver"
/msg *Drone manual blah

this would make practicing a bit more interesting

Interesting idea. Although the drones for formation purposes would need to have a specific code so only the drone layer could command them.

The idea is nice but the issue is that there are to many ships that could use the drone. Perhaps by hvaing it as an extra-large weapon or make it take up 2 large weapon slots then perhaps it would be better.

Now I dont really think that the drones yo describe are really that useful though. They dont do anything but manuever. Could be a useful rocket shield or soemthign btu generally not useful.

Target practice would be best performed against an actually enemy. The messaging wouldnt be effective in combat either since then the player would be distracted and it would be rather difficult to perform.

Drones should be automated and be 2x the size of the LMine. The mass added would be quite a bit as well. So the drones would need to be useful or else they wont get used at all.

I myself would prefer having a launcher that will launch the drones but the drones take up a cargo space instead. With that certain ships would be better suited for drone carriers and perhaps even have a ship meant for drones themselves. Other than the cargo space used a drone rack rating would be suitable. Also a transponder could be equipped for better control to designate the target. This would mean that the drones would need 2 weapon ports and as well as cargo space for drone usage. Drones would remain inactive until the transponder is activated and the target is chosen. This would mean that the drones could be dropped and picked up for a suitable ambush and since they are inactive they won't show up on radar except as debris.

Albeit the issue is how to establish repair drones for self repair. (unless the repair would be automated on drop to aid the ally most in need).

Perhaps a series of combat drones which could be launched against the player's target? They'd move quick, 70m/s but they'd only carry a gov't issued plasma cannon. They'd act much like a swarm of bees. Could be useful in both PvP and NPC combat.

Well the whole point of this "weapon" is that its not really a weapon at all, unless you include their potential as barrier devices. you could also use them to make racetracks, (you just keep
dropping drones that are programmed to move in a circle and create a track).

That's the point, its a device that lets you practice and is programmable. Many other types of drones could grow from this basic interface, but first steps first.