Ok, my only comment to this is that you pretty much are saying the way to win this game every time is to hit the other guy more than he hits you.
"Well, Duh!"
This is totally realistic and perfectly in line with what we have witnessed in modern warfare. Now a case could be made that it SE4 combat to hit pluses and minus are a bit to strong, but since everybody knows that going in, what's the problem?
Since everybody knows that part of it, it's their responsibility to plan accordingly. With equal levels of sensor tech and experience (science) then victory will go to the player than can accomplish putting more of his ships where the other guys aren't (art). While there may be only one real way to do the first, there are certainly a myriad of ways to accomplish the second.
Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Geo