BTW, I'm using Falcons to great effect right now as essentially 'super destroyers' in a fast attack fleet. Something I didn't really appreciate before is that Falcons are on average faster than Hammerheads and Sunders thank to their system, while having cruiser range. The AI behaves brilliantly with this loadout (and its what I'm flying too):
2x Heavy Autocannon, 2x Phase Beam, 4x PD Laser, Advanced Optics, ITU, Flux resistant conduits. Max Vents, a few caps.
Built for the 800 (*1.4) range band, though the kinetics will hit first for a bit because the medium energy turrets are set further back on the ship.
I don't know why I've thought Phase Beams are bad, but with kinetics to back them up and advanced optics, they are very effective. Armor penetration is equivalent to a 625 damage shot, making them effective against even the toughest ships. And they are fantastic at popping fighters - a single shot will destroy a Warthog. Was fighting against a pair of skilled Mora's, 1 a 1x Broadsword 2x Warthog, the other the Khopesh variant, with me and an AI controlled Falcon in the area - and we stomped all the wings with ease.
Only downside is the deployment cost of 15: a little pricey for their firepower. Still, I'm consistently happy with their performance.