Problems with orbitting fighters

Whenever i order my fighters to escort or protect a certain ship they float around in an oval shape and dont react when there attacked or the ship there defending gets attacked. they fire at anything in range but they never break from there orbit is this supposed to happen?

Are you playing 1.07? Try clicking on the “Escort” order and moving the range slider toward the right.

the only way for the fighters to break orbit is to have the escorting ship blown up.

That’s why some AI fleets feature a simple frigate escorted by fighter wings.