In article ,
Thomas Borchert wrote:

John,

They can see a LONG way off! Couple the onboard
sensors with airborne C&C AWACs and you are going to have a very high
probability of knowing friend from foe.

Ok. So WHY haven't they been used in earnest? In all likely situations,
shorter-distance weapons were used. Prime example is the Lybian
shoot-down.

Which Libyan engagement?