USAF Deploys EA-37B Compass Call to Modernize Electronic Warfare

First Flight of the EA-37B Compass Call: A New Era in Electronic Warfare

The United States Air Force (USAF) has taken a significant step forward in modernizing its electronic warfare capabilities with the successful first training sortie of the EA-37B Compass Call. Conducted in early May 2025 by the 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, this sortie marks a pivotal milestone in the transition from the aging EC-130H fleet to a new generation of electronic attack aircraft.

Built on a heavily modified Gulfstream G550 business jet platform, the EA-37B is designed to disrupt enemy communications, radar, and command and control networks. This modernization comes at a time when electronic warfare is becoming increasingly central to maintaining air superiority and operational success in contested environments. The EA-37B’s debut reflects years of coordination between defense contractors, Air Force personnel, and strategic planners.

As adversaries develop more advanced air defense systems and electronic countermeasures, the need for faster, more agile, and more survivable platforms has become paramount. The EA-37B promises to deliver on these requirements, offering enhanced speed, range, and altitude capabilities, while integrating next-generation electronic warfare systems.

Modernizing the Compass Call: From EC-130H to EA-37B

The Legacy of the EC-130H

The EC-130H Compass Call has been a cornerstone of the USAF’s electronic warfare fleet since the 1980s. Based on the Lockheed C-130 Hercules airframe, it was developed to jam enemy communications and radar, playing a critical role during conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, the platform’s age and limitations in speed, range, and survivability have increasingly hindered its effectiveness in modern combat scenarios.

With some airframes dating back to the Vietnam War, the EC-130H’s operational lifespan has reached its limit. The USAF has already retired nine of its 14 EC-130Hs, underscoring the urgency of transitioning to a more capable platform. The need for a replacement that could integrate with modern joint force operations and provide enhanced mission effectiveness led to the development of the EA-37B.

The EC-130H’s contributions to electronic warfare are undeniable, but the threat landscape has evolved. Adversaries now employ more sophisticated integrated air defense systems (IADS), requiring aircraft that can operate with greater stealth, speed, and agility, all areas where the EA-37B is expected to excel.

“The EA-37B mission culminates years of planning and coordination between thousands of people spanning many organizations,” Lt. Col. Tray Wood, Commander, 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron

The EA-37B Platform and Capabilities

The EA-37B is built on the Gulfstream G550, a commercial business jet known for its speed, altitude performance, and advanced avionics. This choice reflects a growing defense trend of adapting commercial airframes for military roles to reduce costs and improve maintainability. The aircraft is equipped with classified electronic attack systems capable of jamming enemy communications, radar, and navigation signals.

In addition to offensive capabilities, the EA-37B can also disrupt enemy air defense networks and defuse roadside bombs remotely. These features enable U.S. and allied aircraft to penetrate deeper into contested airspace with reduced risk. Compared to the EC-130H, the EA-37B flies nearly twice as fast, has double the range, and can operate at,000,000,000 feet higher.

Production of the EA-37B is a collaborative effort between BAE Systems and L3Harris. BAE is responsible for the electronic warfare systems, while L3Harris integrates these systems into the modified G550 airframes at its Waco, Texas facility. Gulfstream, the original manufacturer of the G550, modifies the aircraft’s external design to accommodate the new technologies at its facility in Savannah, Georgia.

Strategic Importance and Future Role

The EA-37B is more than just a replacement aircraft, it is a strategic asset designed to ensure U.S. dominance in the electromagnetic spectrum. As the nature of warfare shifts towards information and network-centric operations, electronic attack capabilities will play a central role in disrupting enemy situational awareness and command structures.

Lt. Col. Jesse Szweda, Director of Operations for the 43rd Squadron, emphasized that the EA-37B and its supporting personnel represent “the most recent evolution in a long history of electromagnetic spectrum dominance.” This evolution aligns with the Department of Defense’s broader modernization goals, which include integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and autonomous systems into future combat operations.

Looking ahead, the USAF expects to receive all ten EA-37Bs by 2028, with the first delivered in August 2024. As training progresses and operational capabilities are validated, the fleet will gradually assume the mission set currently held by the EC-130H, ensuring a seamless transition and uninterrupted electronic warfare support.

Conclusion

The first training sortie of the EA-37B Compass Call represents a critical inflection point in the USAF’s electronic warfare modernization. By transitioning from the aging EC-130H to a faster, more capable, and more survivable platform, the Air Force is positioning itself to counter emerging threats in increasingly contested environments.

This milestone reflects not only technological progress but also the successful collaboration between industry and government. As the EA-37B moves toward full operational capability, it will provide the U.S. and its allies with a decisive edge in the electromagnetic battlespace, a domain that is rapidly becoming as critical as land, sea, air, and space.

FAQ

What is the EA-37B Compass Call?
The EA-37B is a next-generation electronic attack aircraft based on the Gulfstream G550, designed to replace the EC-130H Compass Call. It disrupts enemy communications, radar, and command networks.

How does the EA-37B differ from the EC-130H?
The EA-37B is faster, has double the range, can fly higher, and is built on a modern airframe. It also integrates more advanced electronic warfare systems.

Who are the manufacturers of the EA-37B?
BAE Systems and L3Harris are co-prime contractors. BAE develops the electronic warfare systems, and L3Harris integrates them into the G550 airframe.

When will the EA-37B be fully operational?
The USAF plans to receive all ten aircraft by 2028. Training and testing are currently underway to reach full operational capability.

Why is electronic warfare important?
Electronic warfare is essential for disrupting enemy communications and radar, enabling safer and more effective operations in contested environments.

Sources: U.S. Air Force, L3Harris, Defense News