US Air Force Receives First EA-37B Compass Call Airborne Electronic Warfare Aircraft.

The U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC) marked a significant milestone with the reception of its first EA-37B Compass Call aircraft, designated 19-5591, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The delivery of this aircraft heralds a new era of advanced electromagnetic warfare capabilities for the U.S. armed forces.
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Leaders from the US. Air Force 55th Wing, 55th Electronic Combat Group, and 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron stand ready to receive Air Combat Command’s first EA-37B Compass Call aircraft during a delivery ceremony at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, on Aug. 23, 2024.  (Picture source: U.S. Air Force)

The U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC) is a major command (MAJCOM) within the United States Air Force, responsible for organizing, training, equipping, and maintaining combat-ready forces for rapid deployment and air superiority. Established on June 1, 1992, ACC is headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.

The EA-37B, a cutting-edge airborne electromagnetic attack platform, is built on a heavily modified Gulfstream G550 airframe. It was delivered by key military leaders, including Gen. Ken Wilsbach, commander of Air Combat Command, Lt. Gen. Thomas Hensley, commander of the 16th Air Force, and Col. Mark Howard, commander of the 55th Wing.

The EA-37B Compass Call is an advanced airborne electronic warfare platform the U.S. Air Force uses. It is built on a heavily modified version of the Gulfstream G550 business jet and is equipped with sophisticated electronic attack systems designed to disrupt and degrade enemy communications, radar, and other electronic systems. The aircraft's primary mission is to perform electronic warfare operations that deny, degrade, and disrupt enemy capabilities within the electromagnetic spectrum.

This new platform represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the EC-130H Compass Call, offering increased range, speed, and agility. These enhancements make the EA-37B more effective in contested environments, where it can support non-kinetic operations that neutralize threats without relying on physical destruction. The EA-37B supports U.S. and coalition tactical air, surface, and special operations forces by protecting friendly units and disrupting adversary operations through its advanced electronic warfare capabilities.

Strategically, the EA-37B is crucial in modern warfare, particularly in countering the strategies of peer competitors who are developing long-range and anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities. The transition from the legacy EC-130H to the EA-37B brings technological advancements and introduces a more cost-effective and maintainable platform, ensuring the U.S. Air Force maintains its edge in the electromagnetic spectrum.

The newly delivered aircraft is assigned to the 55th Electronic Combat Group and will be operated by the 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron. The Contractor Logistics Support Aircraft Maintenance team at Davis-Monthan AFB will maintain it. This delivery allows ACC aircrews to begin pilot mission planning and training on the EA-37B, further enhancing operational readiness.

Col. Howard emphasized the significance of the new aircraft, noting, “The EC-130 has served its purpose for years, but this new airframe and its delivery mean that we have a combat-credible threat. The EA-37B, with its increased range, speed, and agility, will allow Airmen onboard the aircraft to make real-time, adaptive, agile decisions for airpower.”

The EA-37B Compass Call is designed to sustain the U.S. military's advantage in the electromagnetic battlespace. It modernizes electromagnetic attack capabilities, enabling the denial of adversaries' tactical networks and information systems. The aircraft disrupts enemy communications, radar systems, and radio-controlled threats while providing offensive counter-information and electromagnetic attack support for U.S. and coalition forces.

The EA-37B will replace the aging EC-130H, offering a more modern, cost-effective solution. Nine of the 14 EC-130H aircraft have been retired to date, marking the transition to the next generation of electronic warfare platforms.

A second EA-37B Compass Call will be delivered to Davis-Monthan AFB by the end of 2024, further strengthening the U.S. Air Force's electromagnetic warfare capabilities.