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Rating: 
Summary: Good Bit Of Work
Review: Edwin Leigh Armistead's AWACS & HAWKEYES is a comprehensive
survey of airborne early warning (AEW) technology, beginning
with the "Project Cadillac" TBM-3W Avenger AEW of World War
II, to the current front-line US Navy E-2C Hawkeye and USAF
E-3 AWACS AEW aircraft of the present.I have to say that this is a very neatly put together
book, very complete and well organized, as well as
highly readable. I couldn't think that anyone
could put together a better survey of the topic. However, having said that, I have to make clear what this
book is, and what it is not. It is, as mentioned, a survey.
It is not a picture book, though it is reasonably
illustrated with black-and-white photos where necessary.
It is not a strongly technical book, at least in the sense
of describing the various AEW aircraft down to nitpicking
detail. It is the sort of thing that might have been
printed in installments in some high-end defense
magazine, focusing on history, outlining technologies and
their evolution, discussing operations and possible
futures. I have to admit that, as both an aircraft and a radar
enthusiast, I was a bit disappointed that it did
not say too much about radar technologies, particularly
the obscure older ones like the AN/APS-20, but given the
book's focus and scope that would have been inappropriate. I should also mention, more in amusement than anything,
that while the writing is very clear, there are some
tiny lapses. I can put up with the use of "thus" ...
but "thusly"? That is the smallest of quibbles with an excellent book.
I have only given it four stars, not because it fails to
achieve its goals, but because it such a specialized book and
I am not sure I would recommend it to someone who didn't at
least have a finger or two in the topic area. In fact, I
am a bit surprised that such a specialized book is being
sold for such a low price.
Rating:
Summary: Good review of AWACS history
Review: I enjoyed this book. As an officer who flies on the E-3 I found the book did a great job following the history of all US Radar control planes. The listing of World AEW platforms was also good for short ref. list. It is not a radar employment manual but more of a platform employment manual and historical discussion. I found the book focused a little more on the E-2 than the E-3 though with the author's Navy background that makes sense. All of the E-3 info is accurate just not quite as indepth as the E-2. Not only did I recommend the book in my squadron but to my friends who wonder 'what I do'.
Rating:
Summary: Good review of AWACS history
Review: I enjoyed this book. As an officer who flies on the E-3 I found the book did a great job following the history of all US Radar control planes. The listing of World AEW platforms was also good for short ref. list. It is not a radar employment manual but more of a platform employment manual and historical discussion. I found the book focused a little more on the E-2 than the E-3 though with the author's Navy background that makes sense. All of the E-3 info is accurate just not quite as indepth as the E-2. Not only did I recommend the book in my squadron but to my friends who wonder 'what I do'.
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