If you would have to finish alot of research before even starting the research + making it a expensive research, then xan would struggle to get it. Id be more worried about caths(great rp output, crbs fleets faked with fico) and zik(good rp, stolen cloaked stuff)
I just dont see the need for 4 fleets why not go for 5 or 6 ? I like the number 3, not too many as you still have make sacrifices alot of the time and not too few