So... if aircraft had a weaker radar, but one more device slot and a better radar as an optional device (or better off, several)?
Of course, radars shouldn't just stack.
Then you could configure interceptors either armed with ECM and armor for tough stuff or relatively lightly armed, but with extra fuel and enhanced radar to chase after faster elusive UFOs.
Or, for that matter, make a troop compartment into module (allow "big" slots or grid-based like in Apocalypse), so you could have a transport plane configured as a dropship or give it heavy radar module, armor and a self-defence weapon and use as AWACS.