RC's, depending on model, are elint, siging and photint capable. I think every model is elint/sigint capable but only a couple of the aircraft have sophisticated photint. And there's probably some new stuff that I don't know about. JSTARS is a different program. Having an RC around when a JSTARS is in the area is a definite plus, however.
Hang, your number one is correct. That's basically how we did it back in the old days. And, given the range of fighters and the capabilities of the RC it is doable in almost every case.
The escort summary is fairly accurate as well. Like I said though, you really need two flights to CAP it right and figure the RC will be out there doing its thing 8+ hours.... takes a lot of fighter/tanker support to do it right. So mostly they fly uncapped... or we did anyway. The present NK situation would dictate otherwise I think.
The Eagles were probably too far away. That was usually the case.
Suffice it to say that we had Tactical Doctrine that specifically addressed the threat from the NK. To my knowledge while that TD was in effect, no NK aircraft ever got within range on any RC.
I don't think they were doing the "tetherd goat" act. The cost on an RC platform makes risking one prohibitive. They are a very highly classed "national resource" and as such, special precautions are taken with them wherever they are, on the ground or in the air.
I suspect there was a screw up somewhere or that TD has changed. Probably TD has changed.. otherwise the NK's wouldn't have been able to shadow them for 20 minutes.
I find it VERY interesting that it was the S model RC, Cobra Ball, that was intercepted. That airplane has some specific capabilities within the RC fleet that apply directly to what's happening in NK.
Things that make ya go hmmmmmmmm
