How limited is the "protector" flag?

[HappyCamper]

I'm creating a mod, but I have a question. How limited is the "protector" flag? I've been able to create a ship and also to create a little drone that flies around it. My question is: is it possible to have protector drones that move with the ship? As it is, they stay in their protective circle and the ship moves away. Ideally, they would follow it and act as point defense. I don't imagine that this is possible with the protector flag as it was designed for the Damocles (which is stationary). Is there a way to accomplish this effect? Am I limited to creating specialized fighters which only attack pdef?