[DavidG]

So any reason the Federation get such a big early atvantage in weapons tech compared to the Romulans and Klingons?

Consider:

After researching Physics the Feds get Phasors and Mini pulse phasors (a Traget 'all but seekers' weapons that skips armour)

After researching Physics the Klingons and Romulans get Mini Disrupters only( a SHIP ONLY targeting weapon that skips armour). They then have to research this to level 5 before getting disruptors that can target satellites/planets/stations etc. In fact untill they get to level 5 the have NO racial weapons that can target Planets or Stations.