OK, more important things. We are going for an energy centric build, so we need to lay down some ground work for that. I think a good start to that would be
Design :Metallic hydrogen superconductors. Created by placing hydrogen under immense pressure and temperature, metallic hydrogen is metastable, retaining its properties even after it's removal from the conditions of it's creation.
The metallic hydrogen acts as a superconductor at remarkably normal temperatures. Networks of the material allow us to shuttle energy around systems at virtually no loss. The hydrogen would also exhibit several unique reactions to magnetic fields and rotations that are beyond my ability to understand. It's applications in electronics and energy technology are powerful and irreplaceable.
Metallic hydrogen has already been created in miniscule amounts present day*, so it shouldn't be anything too far fetched. If we intend to go an energy route this is something we almost have to do, and the sooner we do it the better. It opens up so many new applications to us.
*it's debated whether it was actualy metallic hydrogen. Point is, we are close.
Something else to consider would be the idea of frequency magnetics (selective magnetism) but this isn't a real thing as far as I know, so we may want to wait till we have some more sci-fi experience before trying something like that.
Groups of three is a non-issue here since we just need to help our troops in B2 get their weapons through the blockade. Meaning all six fighter units will be deployed there.
Odds are they created a response to our rifles this turn, and they are probably cheaper than our stuff. If they end up with real weapons there, we may need more than our rifles to hold out. Sending all our fighters is probably a good idea, we can get some limited air support to back them up.