Hey, nice mod! I get some The Expanse vibes while using some balistic weapons, yet to be real Realistic, a bullet range limit would have to go off, even more if a starship is in sight or telemetry range. Even a small piece of metal coming in a opposite orbit would do enough damage if pierce in the right spot. But orbits are not the point in the game... right?
Some points i think you mod could improve also:
1. Missiles may need a nerf, they got overpowered since it refil after every battle, a missile focused fleet, can rip though even 2-3 times stronger fleet (in a vanilla perspective of strenght). Maybe buff point defense and fighters with pd would solve that, and a longer cooldown to all missiles. To be "realistic" missiles should be only replenished at stations, but i don't think it's easy to script that, i dunno...
2. AI need some tweaks on how to use shield now. You change shields soo they don't protect 100% but they take the same old delayed time to turn on and get around the ship, or worst, move around wen it's not static or omni, soo it's pretty common to most AI only turn the shield now when it's too late. Because that even timid or cautious AI take alot hit since they speed up not knowing they will take forever to stop becoming a sitting duck many times. The tactical screen help it at some extension, for the player, but enemies are even more a easy prey now due that.
3. AI are retreating too easily. Also Derelict ships are retreating now, making some frustating situations. I have to keep persuing 2 or more times Derelict now soo they blow up due low CR or i lost the battle progress, if by accident i select leave them, all the salvage is lost like i never did any battle, it's annoying even more because they spawn too near the retreating zone, soo it's not point to send any ship, this problem is only with derelict. For others AI the retreat logic is different but yet too easy, seems that you extended the retreat zone, soo a big fleeing fleet can get the front line ships there. In vanilla in the beginning, it's common most ships flee at end of a battle but progressing it get easy for a stronger player catch most them if not all. Now even for a fast player fleet its common for the enemy fleet at least 5 or more ships from the front to escape.
That's it, this is just my perception, i hope it can help you.