This might only apply to legions that focus on NPC combat, but at least in the Dysonians I have noticed that eventually no one wants to fight certain NPC's once they get the maximum number of items that an NPC can drop. I think it would be a good idea to add a bit more variety to the items that can be acquired from fighting certain NPC's, in particular the higher level ones.

For example, the Graxis Prison drops the Stryll Prey Tracker (4 max) and Stryll Rescued Prisoners. Once someone gets the maximum number of Prey Trackers, it is arguable that it is not worth the trouble of dealing the requisite damage (which is significant) to lock into a reward if you are most likely not going to get the prisoners. In the Dysonians the Stellar Command Centers are another bone of contention of sorts. I can't express the level of frustration that comes with spending the energy required to deal 11000 damage, then getting yet another T.O. Force Barrier.

My suggestion is to add another dimension of randomness to the NPC reward system. Obviously coming up with new artifacts is up to the developers, so my suggestion will not include any new artifacts.
Each major level NPC should come with the following dropped artifacts:
Alien Star Charts (for role playing sake, assume that during the battle, the ship that receives this performed a hack on the station or ship).
Android Helmsmen or Scientists (Boarded and captured some of the crew). Possibly create a smaller level android (Reprogrammed Android) that offers simply a 1 crew member bonus if it is determined that offering the full artifact would be unbalancing.
Artifact or Mineral Points - Again, for role playing sake, assume the crew boarded the ship during the battle and did a little snatch-and-grab. Amount earned could be somewhat random, but obviously based on the difficulty of the enemy. A few grand in points would make this something definitely valuable to lower ranks, but at least not a waste to higher leveled players, who don't need a dozen Prey Trackers (for example).
Enhanced Experience Bonus - Offer a double or triple experience reward. This might not be popular, as a lot of players don't like having extra experience dropped on them unexpectedly when they are close to ranking up. Possibly make this an artifact, After Action Report, or something. When used, gives X experience. (Arg, and I said I wasn't going to offer new artifact ideas....).

Anyways, I'll end with this.

We are discussing ideas around a special type of 'scrapping' that will apply to special types of artifacts. When scrapped, they can provide a variety of different things other than credits. For instance, I can envision a mission that requires a certain number of these scraps to complete.

With that said, save up your extra modules for now...

I was going to say that sounded like a great idea, but I guess something's already in the works, sounds awesome, thanks Dan.

would this happen to be included?

I wish I would of known that a day ago. I just got down scarping like 50 extra models from different NAP's. lol

I think it would be a good idea to add more NPCs in general. Finding the same things to kill repeatedly gets a little old. perhaps add modified versions of existing elites with different drop items

GOOD! Then you don't have to add farm able loot to every new NPC as part of loot set..

If possible, can you make sure to include something so we can uninstall equipped artifact modules? It would be nice to be able to unequip the Crimson Auto-Phaser when I upgrade to the Vortul Blast Phaser, rather than just sell it as it is now.

Will the artifacts be marked as such? AKA special?