We did not take AI as we plumb forgot... even after remembering and saying we would on the second hop it didn't happen.
but I've never had an AI wingman attack a ship... they don't see it as a target.
if you tell them to attack, they will attack ground targets but I've never seen them attack ships.
When doing torpedo attacks, the wingmen are just another weapon offset whatever distance you tell them to be (they drop when you drop).
I am no expert in using AI, so if anyone has any information on how better to use them we would be very open to learning.