The same reasoning goes for Light Carriers, which are cheaper to research than Light Cruisers, have 420 more hitpoints, the same speed, a slightly improved weapon mount (though you might wish not to use it actually), and an adequate cargo capacity. They do lack the +10% defence bonus of the Light Cruisers however, and are somewhat more expensive.
And of course, being able to add or remove fighters to your fleet at will is always nice; drop the fighters if they are fond of PDC, and put them back once they become lax with PDC.
Incidentally, would a little something about Stellar Manipulation be helpful to anyone reading this thread?