Yeah, you seem to be better then me in the mod. But me, I`m just casual. Want to have on "beginner" a beginner experience
Then don't play in Ironman! (At least it what you told before).
I would advise not to play in this manner until you are familiar with all the game mechanics (such as multiple interceptors and the armament typologies you were unfamiliar with).
Also I cannot stress enough the advantages of the gas cannon with explosive ammunition. Is extremely OP in open spaces due to accuracy, damage, range and TU usage. three guys with that can blast most of the stuff you may uncover with your "explorers". this technology is already available afterwards the Jet Harpoons so you can rely on them until Gauss.
Why do you lose your men? By default only ship will be lost, and passengers will return to your base after some time (when escape pods will be founded by sea rescue )
And by the way, you can build Moray, not only Barracudas.
Didn't know this was a thing! Nice to know and very nice compensation.
Then I believe there are serious issues in the balance department in terms of manufacturing. The costs in terms of USO components are unreal, specially with the volatility of aircrafts and weapons (280 aquaplastics for a slight better transport and 1 magnetic navigation for each Gauss weapon is kind of overkill, specially when there is no difference between a pistol and a heavy Gauss and the amount of aquaplastics and navigations to field a full squad requires a heavy quantity of USOs to achieve).
Edit: Dreaghnouts do not have magnetic navigation?