Phoney
Sorry mate, utter rot. The E-3 is perfectly capable in a 'high boy' role in a maritime scenario. However, I would agree that it is pants in a 'low boy' role unlike MPAs.
Of course AIS isn't fitted to aircraft, but Mode S is for the aircraft likely to be at and around 30W (which is what we are talking about). Also, there aren't that many small craft out there either, so most of the surface ships around 30W will be AIS capable. Anyway, the E-3's primary 'ping-pong divide by 2' RADAR is more than capable of seeing the type of ships/boats you get out at 30W and the likely sea-state.
So the E-3 is almost perfect for controlling a significant SAR op in the mid Atlantic. In that it can fly up to 11hrs+ unrefuelled, it can see everything it needs to see within a ~200nm radius, it has plenty of means of communicating to everyone it needs to and also has the benefit of having at least 2-3 ex-Nimrod mates on board to tap into their expertise if they need a SME.
Oh, and I say this from someone who spent a few years on the E-3. So in summary, the E-3 is no good at low level search and can"t drop ASRA but is excellent at controlling a maritime SAR op (the clue is in the name AWA
CS
). However, it is perfect for directing one of the standby J models with an ASRA kit to the scene of the ditching.
LJ