I put a lot of blame on maps, I think the mod needs much bigger maps than currently allotted. Would make rushing as the Covenant more difficult and would give the UNSC slightly more time to build up. Charons are just the best bang for their buck, and are a definite necessity on higher difficulties. It's not worth going for the bigger, high tier ships as aside from the Orion (that MAC baby) they just don't give the same returns that small ships do. I like the Midlothian a lot though.
Glad to see fighter/bomber spam is being reduced.
One thing I definitely hate is the CCS texture, if it's even textured. I can't deal with the white (the CCS has a lot of iterations) if that's the version you are going for.
The bigger UNSC ships need revisiting in cost or build time, because as is they are obliterated before they do anything useful besides eat plasma torpedoes.
I like to try and play higher difficulties but the Covenant just fucks you so hard it's nearly impossible.
Another thing, I think the UNSC should have the upgrade system on it's cruisers and carriers. The Covenant has a standardized navy, while the UNSC is notorious for modifying their ships for further combat effectiveness. Pillar of Autumn and Everest to name a couple.
Are nuclear missiles planned to be implemented? I feel that would help a lot.