Is it not simply a case of it being a good option.
As in any other competitive medium, good is often overlooked in favour of 'best' but I do see some valid options for taking it. Most have been covered but the Moldy Crow in particular stands out due to its boosted greens not being naked and the pilot abilities still being in effect. As others have stated, any boost in survivability for a HWK is a good thing.
Forget competitive or not, I want to put Cloaking Device and Engine Upgrade on Torkil or Palob just because a HWK shouldn't be doing that sort of mad stuff.