Yes, there is a problem with AI combat navigation. I've seen it launch drones 'behind' a moon that was quite close to the launching planet and the drones weren't smart enough to go AROUND the planet. They just sat there while my ships fired missiles at the planet and when it was reduced I just closed in and shot the drones with normal direct-fire weapons. The problem with fleets getting tangled up with themselves because the leader cannot move and troops ships getting clocked by the rest of the fleet is another symptom. Something definitely needs to be 'improved' in the AI combat navigation routines.
