1. An "install devices of level X" series of devices that are generated frequently within the level.
2. A means of keeping track of ships killed so that you know when to send the next level of ship.
3. A means of causing loot of the appropriate level to appear on dead ships (sucks to be you if you get lots of commodities

4. Random Equip mod would be very useful here too.
5. Almost forgot, a system with nothing but a gate (preferably one that links back to the same system, but an identical system would work) and a star that causes ships to come out of the gate.