Just think of the research points as xp points like they were.....so as you play a game you earn research points instead of xp which is used against any upgrade or you can speed up the process of upgrading by spending gold and using the research points.........Research=XP.
Overall i think the game is getting better,the graphic changes are great,the feel of the planes also feels better....hit registration is better than before,clocking up more points for the actual hits your doing...you can also see when your getting hit by the amount of sparks and bullets richoceting of the wings.
So far i am liking what they have done....and like pink says nobody likes change,its something we have to adapt to,and remember the game is still in its early phase so there will be a hell of a lot more changes to come as they introduce the other factions.