Magic M
thanks for that explanation of the theory of Phoenix on Sentry, although I didn't really see it happening, if only because they are quite expensive toys
as for fighter escort, while I would never encourage classified matters to be discussed online, I would note that several of the technothriller style books - Tom Clancy's "Red Storm Rising" coming immediately to mind IIRC - refer to AWACS being protected by fighter escort. Not Jane's admittedly, but there you go
Incidentally - given that E-3D/E-8 is still essentially a 707, what price an Airbus 345/346 as a next generation Sentry/JSTARS? Loiter times would be pretty impressive I would think
