TheEA-37B Compass Call (formerlyEC-37B) is anelectronic warfare aircraft based on theGulfstream G550 entering service with theUnited States Air Force with the first example delivered on 23 August 2024 toDavis–Monthan Air Force Base for crew training.^[1] The plane is replacing theEC-130H Compass Call.

EA-37B Compass Call
General information
Type	Electronic warfare aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Gulfstream Aerospace (airframe) L3Harris Technologies &BAE Systems (mission systems)[1]
Primary user	United States Air Force
Number built	5 out of 10 total planned
History
Introduction date	23 August 2024
Developed from	Gulfstream G550

The role of the Compass Call is to disrupt enemycommand and control communications,radars, and navigation systems, significantly hindering adversary coordination as part of the Counter-Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Targeting (Counter-C5ISRT) mission.^[2] The jet will be able to conductjamming of radars, electronic systems and communications. It will thus be able participate inSuppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missions by disrupting an enemy's ability to coordinate sensors and useweapon batteries that target friendly aircraft.^[1]

EA-37B are Gulfstream G550 business jet airframes modified withelectronic warfare equipment byL3Harris andBAE Systems. The most distinctive feature are the largeantenna arrays conformally mounted on either side of the fuselage; these are based on the radar arrays found on the G550 CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning).^[3] The aircraft has gone through multiple "Baseline" iterations throughout its development, with Baseline 4 being the latest. It incorporates BAE Systems' Small Adaptive Bank of Electronic Resources (SABER) technology.^[4]

Among the equipment also found on the aircraft are: Network Centric Collaborative Targeting (NCCT) systems, System Control and Monitoring subsystems, Radio Frequency Receiver (RFR) subsystems,Software-defined Radio (SDR) subsystems, Counter Radar Assembly, Array Panels,AN/ARC-210 RT-2036 radios, KG-250 In-line Network Encryptors, KY-100 Narrow/wideband Terminals, KIV-77 Mode 4/5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF),AN/PYQ-10C Simple Key Loaders^[5]

On 7 September 2017, theUS Air Force awarded L3 Technologies (nowL3Harris) a contract to replace theEC-130H Compass Call with an aircraft based on theGulfstream G550.^[6] The new aircraft was expected to "re-host" up to 70% of the mission equipment currently used on the EC-130H.^[6]

On 23 October 2018,Secretary of the Air Force,Heather Wilson, approvedAir Combat Command's request to replace the EC-130H Compass Call aircraft from the55th Electronic Combat Group (ECG) located atDavis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, with EA-37B aircraft (then known as EC-37B). The basing decision memorandum was signed on 15 November 2018. The first airframe was delivered to the air force in September 2023 for evaluation and testing.^[7]

On 23 August 2024, the first ready aircraft (serial number 19-5591) was delivered to Davis-Monthan AFB to begin pilot training.^[8]

Originally designated EC-37B, as an electronic warfare version of theC-37B transport jet under thetri-service aircraft designation system. The designation was officially changed to EA-37B on 14 November 2023^[9] to better reflect the aircraft's role and capabilities although the name change had been hinted at before.^[10] The new designation does however conflict with that of the unrelatedA-37 Dragonfly, itself anon-systematic designation.

  United States

• United States Air Force : 10 aircraft on order, one delivered as of November 2024. Operated by the55th Electronic Combat Group, a part ofAir Combat Command.

  Italy

• TheItalian Air Force plans to acquire two EA-37B Electronic Attack mission system packages to convert two Gulfstream G550 into EA-37B. The $680 million sale was approved by theUS State Department on October 7, 2024.^[5][11] Note these are not to be confused with the G550 CAEW also operated by the Italian Air Force.^[12]

Data from Air Combat Command link: EA-37B Compass Call^[13]

General characteristics

• Crew: up to nine: two pilots and up to seven crew members according to mission including the mission crew commander (electronic warfare officer), weapon system officer (electronic warfare officer), mission crew supervisor (an experienced cryptologic linguist), analysis operators (linguists), one acquisition operator and/or an airborne maintenance technician.
• Length: 96 ft 5 in (29.39 m)
• Wingspan: 93 ft 6 in (28.50 m)
• Height: 25 ft 10 in (7.87 m)
• Empty weight: 48,300 lb (21,909 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 98,000 lb (44,452 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 41,300 lbs
• Powerplant: 2 ×Rolls Royce BR700-710 C4-11turbofan, 15,385 lbf (68.44 kN) thrust each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 767 mph (1,234 km/h, 667 kn)
• Range: 4,410 mi (7,100 km, 3,830 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (14,000 m)

• Gulfstream G550
• EC-130 Compass Call
• EL/W-2085
• MC-55A Peregrine

  Media related toGulfstream EA-37B Compass Call at Wikimedia Commons