The problem is that Aurora lack "stealth" mechanics, stealth atm is at best a delay before the "real battle" begins. However, I find stealth and inevitably interdiction tactics fun and interesting in themselves, they provide ways to fight large supply-hungry attack fleets that doesn't comes down to who got the biggest "stack of death".
I'd like to try to improve that by looking at detection rules. Aurora already have a fairly realistic detection scheme. Active sensors act as a Search and Acquisition Radars, tracking contacts over a wide area. Meanwhile, Fire Control act as Targeting Radar and control the firing of all linked weaponry on-board.
Hence we have: Detection Range and Targeting Range.
Suggestion #1:
Lets focus on Thermal\EM passive sensors. Right now, once the enemy enter your sensor Detection Range you instantly gain exact info on any and all contacts. But, what if we add uncertainty to the equation, by simply introducing a sensor Identification Range. An effective range at which the sensors is capable of separating the background noise from valid target(s).
This way, Detection Range will give you awareness that there is something out there, but not exact indication on what it is or how many. While an Identification Range will give you detailed contact(s) info that you got used to. (Obliviously Detection Range>Identification Range)
Basically, you'd still be detected, but not necessarily identified correctly or in time. For example, this will allow to park a raider task group in an asteroid belt, without closer inspection it would give the same indication that any other CMC operation would give, a single dot. Which, would require navy forces that don't want to walk into a trap, to utilize scouts more (less fuel).
Armed with the above info on sensors, this shouldn't increase the complexity.
Suggestion #2: (Unrelated to #1)
My second and unrelated suggestion, focused on how Detection Range is calculated. Right now its mainly given as a function of sensor Sensitivity and target Emissions e.g.
Thermal Detection Range = sensor Sensitivity x target Emissions * constant.
I don't have a lot of time atm (my dog is begging me to go for a jog), so i'll be brief. What will happen if we replace it with:
Thermal Detection Range = (sensor Sensitivity + target Emissions) * constant.