I can understand why your not a fan, fracas. I wasn't in the beginning, but it grew on me quickly. Allow me to explain it's merits and flaws to the best of my detail.
Merits:
1. It replaces the torpedo counters with something far more durable and easy to acquire. True you can just print them out, but paper counters are flimsy and can be blown around on the table, or in some cases, be impossible to pick up

2. It makes it easier to manage the number of torpedo's on the table, instead of replacing counters, you just adjust a dice.
3. According to play testing, it still does a good job of area denial
4. It standardizes the ordnance of the game.
5. Destroying salvo's of torpedo's is now more difficult (there being significantly less surface area that a single fighter can get to)
Flaws
1. Area denial is weakened.
2. Ruins the value of boxed sets
3. makes torpedo escorts less intimidating
4. you now have to make new counters.