TerranC, I wouldn't want to unbalance the game, or make a complete line of tech obsolete.
The detonators(Megnetic\Kinetic), good idea.
Instead of using a huge amount of supplies, might be a problem with the quantum reactor. 
How about
: 
A certian number of uses per component. 
Limited number of the component. 
Use it once and then it is depleted.
And still allow for a random chance of mines hitting the ship.
 
What do you think of something like that?  
