Air Force welcomes first EA-37B Compass Call aircraft for electronic-warfare missions

The Air Force recently marked a significant milestone with the arrival of its first EA-37B Compass Call electronic-attack aircraft at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.

The Air Force recently took delivery of its first EA-37B Compass Call electronic-attack aircraft, marking a significant milestone in its electronic warfare capabilities, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The aircraft arrived at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona on August 23, with Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, head of Air Combat Command, co-piloting the plane during its landing and taxiing. This new aircraft, which took off from L3Harris Technologies’ facility in Waco, Texas, represents a major upgrade from the Gulfstream G550 business jet, incorporating advanced electronic attack systems developed by BAE Systems. “For a pilot, there’s nothing better than picking up a brand-new aircraft from a factory and delivering it to the warfighters,” Wilsbach said. “It flies like a dream, and for those of you who are going to get to fly it … it’s going to be amazing.”

The Air Force plans to procure a total of 10 EA-37B Compass Calls, which will perform a range of electronic-warfare missions, including jamming enemy communications, radar, and navigation signals. These aircraft will also be crucial in suppressing enemy air defenses and protecting U.S. and allied forces by neutralizing threats and enhancing operational reach. The EA-37B is designed to replace the aging EC-130H Compass Call fleet, which has been in service since the 1980s and saw extensive use during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

With nine of the 14 EC-130Hs already retired, the new Compass Call will inherit similar mission capabilities but with enhanced performance. The EA-37B, built on the G550 airframe, offers significant improvements in altitude and speed—capable of reaching over 40,000 feet and speeds nearly double those of the EC-130H. These advancements will allow the new Compass Call to extend its operational range and effectiveness against a broader spectrum of enemy activities. The Air Force has already received two EA-37Bs designated for testing and operated by Air Force Materiel Command, with the first delivered in 2023. 

The newly arrived EA-37B will initially focus on training pilots and aircrew to master its operations before it is deployed for active missions, according to Air Combat Command (ACC). This aircraft is assigned to the 55th Electronic Combat Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, which is part of the 55th Wing based at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is set to receive its second EA-37B by the end of the year, further expanding its electronic warfare capabilities and enhancing its operational readiness.