USAF EA-37B Fleet Expansion: Critical for Future Electronic Warfare

Why the Air Force May Need More EA-37B Electronic Warfare Jets

The U.S. Air Force’s transition to the EA-37B Compass Call represents a critical modernization effort in electronic warfare. Replacing the aging EC-130H fleet, this jet combines advanced jamming capabilities with improved speed and altitude performance. However, debates now center on whether 10 planned aircraft will suffice for future conflicts.

With near-peer adversaries like China rapidly advancing their anti-access systems, electronic attack platforms have become indispensable. The EA-37B’s ability to disrupt enemy communications and air defenses makes it a lynchpin for air superiority. Yet budget pressures and production challenges complicate efforts to expand the fleet.

The Strategic Imperative for Expansion

Originally conceived as a 1:1 replacement for 14 EC-130Hs, the EA-37B program shrank to 10 jets due to budget cuts. However, studies by L3Harris and BAE Systems suggest operational requirements could demand 20 aircraft. This accounts for expanded mission sets like managing Collaborative Combat Aircraft and addressing threats across multiple theaters.

Air Combat Command officials note the EA-37B achieves a 90% mission-capable rate – far exceeding the F-35’s 55% availability. This reliability makes it crucial for sustained operations. With Indo-Pacific contingencies requiring dispersed operations across vast distances, having sufficient electronic attack platforms becomes non-negotiable.

“Ten aircraft might cover today’s needs, but we’re building an Air Force for 2035. Peer conflicts demand redundancy and geographic flexibility that our current plan doesn’t provide.” – Senior Electronic Warfare Planner

Budget Realities and Procurement Workarounds

The Air Force’s Unfunded Priorities List (UPL) emerges as a potential path forward. In 2022, Congress attempted to add four EA-37Bs via the National Defense Authorization Act, though this failed to materialize. Contractors propose adding two jets via the FY2026 UPL and two more in FY2027 to maintain production continuity.

Gulfstream G550 airframe availability adds complexity. While 20-25 potential donor aircraft exist globally, conversion takes 18 months per unit. The Air Force owns several G550s used for other missions that could be repurposed, but this would require sacrificing intelligence or command-and-control capabilities elsewhere.

Global Demand and Production Challenges

International interest compounds production pressures. Italy has formally requested EA-37Bs, while Indo-Pacific allies seek 20+ units collectively. Export variants would use modified systems to protect classified technologies, but shared production lines risk delays for domestic deliveries.

BAE’s SWORD-A architecture allows hardware/software decoupling, enabling faster upgrades without full airframe modifications. This future-proofing helps justify long-term investments, but requires sustained funding currently threatened by competing priorities like NGAD and CCAs.

The Road Ahead for Electronic Warfare

With five EA-37Bs already delivered and five more expected by 2027, the Air Force must decide whether to lock in current production rates or risk costly restarts later. Industry partners emphasize that delays beyond 2026 could increase per-unit costs by 15-20% due to line shutdowns.

As autonomous systems proliferate, the EA-37B’s role in enabling manned-unmanned teaming grows more vital. Its ability to coordinate drone swarms while jamming enemy networks creates multiplicative effects that smaller fleets can’t sustain. The coming year’s budget decisions will signal whether electronic warfare retains its priority status.

FAQ

Why does the Air Force want more EA-37Bs than originally planned?
Emerging threats and expanded mission requirements in multiple theaters necessitate a larger fleet for sustained operations.

What limits EA-37B production rates?
G550 airframe availability and 18-month conversion timelines create bottlenecks, alongside competing defense priorities for funding.

Could foreign sales impact U.S. fleet readiness?
Export production would require separate assembly lines to avoid delaying domestic deliveries, per current contractor plans.

Sources:
Air & Space Forces Magazine,
Defense News,
Air Force Technology