Following is a quote from the developers:
Once the right technology levels are reached the brigade (or air unit) will change model name to reflect it’s new stats.
Before we start talking about this, let’s just quickly recap.
Technology components are modular and can affect more than one unit
type. Divisions too are modular and can be customised with different
brigade types. This week we are going to talk a little about how these
work and also drop a few details about how technology can be shared.
Of course we have defined model names for air and land units, as we did
with ships. For air units this is the unit itself, for land unit these
are the component brigades. When it comes to upgrading, the land unit
brigades upgrade separately. Note the division is still the smallest
tactical unit and the land unit and its brigades are indivisible, but
for technology purposes the brigades are distinct. Once the right
technology levels are reached the brigade (or air unit) will change
model name to reflect it’s new stats. In the case of air and land units
you always build at the best technology available. However with ships
we have added the option to downgrade your ships for faster, cheaper
building. Thus if those pesky submarines are massacring your convoys
and you want to fire out some quick destroyers to help combat them,
then you can. You can basically decide exactly which model to use for
each technology affecting that kind of ship.
For technologies themselves we have added support for flavour names. So
instead of Germany developing Infantry small Arms year 1943 we get
Sturmgewehr 44. Although I doubt every tech for every country will end
up being named, we will certainly be adding quite a few for the majors.
We have also added a pretty neat form of technology sharing, building
units under licence. You can buy the right to build units from other
countries at their technology and practical experience level but with
your IC. When the unit is complete you gain that model type and name
(until you upgrade it) and increases your own practical experience
(which will assist your own research efforts in the future). This costs
money but can be money well spent. Of course, these, as well as
expeditionary forces retain the model & tech names of their origin,
until upgraded.
Here is an example of how this is all scripted..
units\models\ENG.txt
battleship.3 = {
capitalship_armament = 2
battleship_antiaircraft = 3
battleship_engine = 2
battleship_armour = 2
largewarship_radar = 0
battlefleet_concentration_doctrine = 0
battleship_crew_training = 0
}
ENG_capitalship_armament_2;14'' MK VII;;;;;;;;;;;;;;x
ENG_battleship_antiaircraft_3;QF 5 1/4'' Mark I;;;;;;;;;;;;;;x
ENG_battleship_engine_2;Admiralty 3 Drum Boiler;;;;;;;;;;;;;;x
ENG_battleship_armour_2;14.7'' Main Belt;;;;;;;;;;;;;;x
