Fights are no faster than before, and bringing frigates in late-game fights are very annoying because of low PPT. Wolfpack Tactics may help, except it requires Leadership (no good for 5/5/5 in Combat/Tech/Industry spread) and requires officers in frigates. I have considered Shrike as a Tempest replacement, but it is probably too sluggish unskilled and not disposable enough once it gets s-mods to offset low OP.
PPT needs to be raised across the board, or fights shrunk to what they were before 0.8a. Also, AI made macho again like in 0.7.1a and before.
Also, make defensive skills weaker and offensive skills stronger for faster kills, and make losses less punishing (or jack up rewards way higher to compete with raids and supply or drug sales).