(Answered) Unusual over-penetrating attacks

[Saklad5]

The optional rule for over-penetration found on page 104 of the fourth printing of Strategic Operations: Advanced Aerospace Rules states that it applies whenever a weapon damages a Large Craft's structural integrity. While that isn't particularly ambiguous, a literal reading leads to unexpected and bizarre results.

• Does this apply to physical attacks, such as ramming by aerospace fighters or kicking by BattleMechs?
• Does this apply to area-of-effect attacks, such as space mines, bombs (while grounded), or artillery (also while grounded)?
• Does this apply to any ranged weapon attack? To take an extreme example, could a small laser over-penetrate, even though it surely has far less penetrative power than the capital weapons this rule seems intended for?

[Xotl]

Yes to all.  It doesn't matter what kind of attack it is: empty space is empty space.  Even if the attack is very small and/or unlikely to pass completely through the vessel, if the energy is spent on something structurally and/or tactically irrelevant (such as that evening's soup waiting in the galley) then for all game purposes only a minimal amount of damage has been inflicted.