That's just weird.

 

I mean, I could understand if this were a one-off copy of an obsolescent item. But a factory [or more likely a 3D printer] built with TL 15 technology expressly designed to produce TL 12 dampers (because these could be built smaller at that TL, in order to fit into smaller hulls) should also be able to build them cheaper.

 

Of course, it's really probably simply a game balance feature and thus not actually amenable to in-game logic.

--

Richard Aiken

"Never insult anyone by accident."  Robert A. Heinlein

"A word to the wise ain't necessary -- it's the stupid ones that need the advice." - Bill Cosby

"We know a little about a lot of things; just enough to make us dangerous." Dean Winchester