agreed, 40% is already a decisive advantageSome handicap/advantage, yes, but rather in the 10-40% range overall.
rather not - new combat situation should at best influence next combat round (is in-character too : sir - we have a new battle-group on the screens !! sh** ... <hard-thinking-taking-at-least-some-seconds-begins>will the PC "devote" involved ships to combat regardless of new data/information brought through scanners? Will this affect playerships only or NPC ships (reverse the scenario, you jump in the M7 for fire support)
get squad 5 to cover our flank !!)
EDIT
There is at least evidence, that IS loadout is different from OOS loadout - I know you know, but ...I'm pretty sure OOS laser switching does not happen at all. (right now)
I'm not convinced there is a need for that, either.