Pros and cons of Type-9 Heavy
Strengths
Massive Cargo: In the Elite Dangerous: Beyond expansion, the Type 9 was given a second class 8 slot and became the second most cargo-carrying ship in the game after the Imperial Cutter (though the difference is only 4 tons).
Low cost relative to other "cargo" ships such as the Type-10 Defender, Anaconda, Federal Corvette and Imperial Cutter in factory configuration will cost at least twice as much.
Low insurance costs relative to other major survivor ships, for example, a low-level survivor ship costs "only" 5 million credits if it is destroyed.
High range with no need for tank refills - even in its basic configuration, a fully loaded ship can go almost 100 year without needing to have its core refined by the engineers, while similar class ships with the same basic configuration can go only 80 year.
Its high resilience in combat configuration (approximately 4,500 durability without engineers), as well as its Class 8 shield support, combined with its turreted armament and fighter hangar, allows it to confidently fight against AI pilots and in combat zones and resource extraction sites.
With modification by engineers and reinforcement of the hull with composite, as well as some combat experience of the pilot, even the trade variant is able to survive 2 battles with AI-Anaconda, with average level of damage, and destroy the opponents. Medium class AI opponents pose almost no threat to an experienced pilot.
A large number of optional ports allow you to use the ship as a prospector, though the Type 9 has an awkwardly placed weapon set, a weak distributor, a small FSD class and a huge clumsy hull, slowing down the mining and ore hauling process itself.
The Level 16 Gravity Grab Factor (MLF) allows you to evade almost all medium and small class ships (exceptions are noted below in weaknesses).
Acquiring a ship makes you a significant figure in galactic power. Furthermore, if you wish to actively participate in the political frictions of nation states, this ship becomes indispensable for maintaining your 5th rank at all times.
Weaknesses
Extremely low manoeuvrability. Even with the upgrades of powerful engines and engineers, the pitch, yaw and roll of this craft leaves a lot to be desired. To maneuver the Type-9 tolerably well, master the basics of piloting without a flight assistant (FA-off mode).
Inferior to any other ship in terms of cruising speed.
High hull inertia, rather slow acceleration and deceleration.
Short hyperjump range with no Guardian booster or engineering effects. With a top class FSD, a fully laden ship will only jump 12 light years. The jump of an empty ship in factory configuration is 22 light years.
The low category mass factor (MLF) is 16. This factor keeps large ships (exceptions: Clipper, Type 7, and Orca), as well as a number of medium ships: Python,Krait Phantom, and Krait MkII from going into hypercruiser mode.
Huge hull and engines make it an easy target for a warship.
Low shield strength, initially recommend a Type-9 to have at least class 8 shields on the trade ship.
"Chopped" hull planes, restricting point defense or dipole work to hemispheres. A ship with this hull needs two sets of defensive modules each, in the upper and lower hemispheres.
Low firepower, poor convergence due to large hull and medium power spreader, preventing effective use of directional weapons.
Cannot land on small class orbital stations (outposts) due to the need for a large landing pad.