That's definately do-able Geo and sounds like a great idea.
I used to build only 2 escorts each game, my first two scouts. After I got Destroyers I never built a smaller ship. Since I added speed and combat move to the smaller hulls I use them a lot more, as capture ships, sensor ships, fast supply ship etc. They still tend to lose some of their usefulness after everyone has DN's but in my current game, turn 300 or so, I still have them in action.
It's also a pretty easy mod and I think the AI would use them even if the increases were gradual. I modded all mine from the start so the AI doesn't have many problems using them, although they could vary their designs a little more. I wish I knew more about modding the AI ship building, I botch it every time
