I assume from the description that this in tactical combat - does this also happen in strategic?
Have started a game with the newest files, currently turn ~150. I'm the EA, and am sitting quietly in a 4 system block. The Grome block one of the ways out and the Cascor are trying to come through the others. I think both are using the Default AI files.
My Assualt ships have saved me a lot of research - I only researched up to Destroyer hulls, but can currently build Dreadnoughts
(in addition to at least 3 levels of propulsion, 2 levels of fighters and a scattering of ecm, armor, plasma etc). I really should build some ships and punish the Cascor and Grome for their attempts to get at me, my 100 turn old frigates are starting to get thin in numbers (I love first shot advantage on a jump point
)