Does anyone know if FFG, are planning on releasing just upgrade packs--with copies of existing upgrades (so you don't have to buy a conversion kit and not use almost half the box--my collection is pretty small atm)

There was a statement made sometime before X-Wing Second Edition released that seemed to indicate that but nothing official has been announced.

So far, through wave 3, any ship that was released in First Edition can have its pilots and upgrades purchased through a conversion kit. I'm starting to wonder if the CKs were all they were talking about.

Until they release a pack that has a ship from First Edition and includes pilots not in a conversion kit, then I doubt we'll see anything announced on that front beyond the CKs.