The AI isnt very smart, at the moment im at cere (or how is it called) doing those nice fat missions that earn 100k / 250K.
I found a nice little trick (not really a trick, probally most people allready know) to get the cash faster instead schooting all fighters u usually have to in mission.
It needs to be a mission where u need to beam in escape pod or something else (research for example).
When u reach waypoint the enemy target isn't there so fight, after he does get there, damage him, then go kill others again.
Suddenly there 'll be a message he is running, now hurry and shoot him, all other fighters run away.
U can tractor in the pod/research, and u completed the mission, offcourse u can go after those fighters, but u allready got the cash and could get outta there.

This is the way i make my cash at the moment, unless im bored and wanna kill some more