Gave this a few shots, and I think Advent Loyalist may be the way to go? Probably on maps with less startup funds/resources for sure, as their bomber is a lower tech requirement.

Can be optimized a bit with better clicks and decisionmaking. Also - not sure if it's always been this way, but if you queue up frigates before the population cap research is done, it may just not build them. Kinda weird and required more babysitting.