The EA-37B Compass Call (formerly EC-37B) is an Electronic Attack aircraft based on the Gulfstream G550 entering service with the United States Air Force with the first example delivered on 23 August 2024 to Davis–Monthan Air Force Base for crew training.[1] The plane is replacing the EC-130H Compass Call.
| EA-37B Compass Call | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Other name(s) | Banshee |
| Role | Electronic Attack |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Owners | Air Combat Command |
| Service | United States Air Force |
| Number built | 1 out of 10 total planned |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 23 August 2024 |
| Developed from | Gulfstream G550 |
The role of the Compass Call is to disrupt enemy command 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 conduct jamming of radars, electronic systems and communications. It will thus be able participate in Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missions by disrupting an enemy’s ability to coordinate sensors and use weapon batteries that target friendly aircraft.[1]
Design
editEA-37B are Gulfstream G550 business jet airframes modified with electronic warfare equipment by L3Harris. The most distinctive feature are the large antenna 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 it's 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]
History
edit
On 23 October 2018, Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson, approved Air Combat Command's request to replace the EC-130H Compass Call aircraft from the 55th Electronic Combat Group (ECG) located at Davis-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.[6]
On 23 August 2024, the first ready aircraft (serial number 19-5591) was delivered to Davis-Monthan AFB to begin pilot training.
Designation
editOriginally designated EC-37B, as an electronic warfare version of the C-37B transport jet under the tri-service aircraft designation system. The designation was officially changed to EA-37B on 14 November 2023[7] to better reflect the aircraft's role and capabilities although the name change had been hinted at before.[8] The new designation does however conflict with that of the unrelated and long retired A-37 Dragonfly, itself a non-systematic designation.
Operators
edit
- United States Air Force : 10 aircraft on order, one delivered as of October 2024. Operated by the 55th Electronic Combat Group, a part of Air Combat Command.
- The Italian 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 the US State Department on October 7th 2024[5][9]. Note these are not to be confused with the G550 CAEW also operated by the Italian Air Force.[10]
Specifications
editData from Air Combat Command link: EA-37B Compass Call[11]
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 C4-11 turbofan, 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)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Hadley, Greg (27 August 2024), "Air Force Delivers First EA-37 Electronic Attack Aircraft to Base", Air & Space Forces Magazine, retrieved 29 August 2024
- ^ Cenciotti, David (27 August 2024). "Air Combat Command Welcomes First EA-37B Compass Call". The Aviationist. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ D'Urso, Stefano (1 June 2023). "A Closer Look At The EC-37B Compass Call, U.S. Air Force's Future Tactical Electronic Attack Platform". The Aviationist. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ D'Urso, Stefano (12 April 2021). "BAE Systems Tests SABER Technology For The New EC-37B Compass Call". The Aviationist. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ a b D'Urso, Stefano (7 October 2024). "U.S. Approves EA-37B Compass Call Foreign Military Sale to Italy". The Aviationist. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Tirpak, John (14 September 2023). "First EC-37 Delivered for Testing; CCAs Will Complement It". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "EC-37B Mission Design Series designation change to EA-37B". Air Combat Command. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph (21 November 2023). "New 'Attack' EA-37B Moniker For USAF Electronic Warfare Jets". The War Zone. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Felstead, Peter (8 October 2024). "Italian Air Force cleared to acquire EA-37B-based electronic attack capability - European Security & Defence". euro-sd.com. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Cenciotti, David (8 March 2022). "Italian G550 CAEW Aircraft Carried Out First Surveillance Mission Over Eastern Europe Today". The Aviationist. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "EA-37B Compass Call" (PDF), ACC.AF.MIL, 8 November 2023, retrieved 5 September 2024