First Air Combat Command Compass Call aircraft delivered to Davis-Monthan AFB
August 29, 2024
Air Combat Command has received its first EA-37B Compass Call (19-5591) wide-area airborne electromagnetic attack aircraft. The aircraft was collected from L3Harris Technologies’ facilities in Waco, Texas, on 23 August, and flown to its new home at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.
Air Force Materiel Command already has two EA-37Bs for test and development duties, the first of which was delivered last year. Aircraft 19-5591, is assigned to the 55th Electronic Combat Group (55th ECG), and will be flown by the 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron and maintained by the Contractor Logistics Support Aircraft Maintenance team at Davis-Monthan AFB. The aircraft will be used to give ACC aircrews their first opportunity to begin pilot mission planning and training. A second aircraft is due to be delivered to Davis-Monthan AFB for training by the end of 2024.
Although located at Davis-Monthan AFB, the 55th ECG reports to the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB, Nebraska.
General Kenneth Wilsbach, the head of Air Combat Command, acted as co-pilot on the latest delivery flight, and said that: “For a pilot, there’s nothing better than picking up a brand-new aircraft from a factory and delivering it to the warfighters. It flies like a dream, and for those of you who are going to get to fly it … it’s going to be amazing. We are on the cusp of delivering advanced capability, especially in electronic combat, and today is an exciting day for Air Combat Command.” Lt. Gen. Thomas Hensley, 16th Air Force commander, and Col. Mark Howard, 55th Wing commander were also on board.
The EA-37B Compass Call, is based on a heavily modified version of the Gulfstream G550 business jet airframe, with electronic attack equipment built by BAE Systems. The aircraft provides and sustains joint force military advantage in the electromagnetic battlespace. The aircraft uses its modern electromagnetic attack capabilities to deny peer competitors’ tactical networks and information ecosystems, degrading and disrupting enemy communications, information processing, navigation, radar systems and radio-controlled threats, and helping to suppress enemy air defences.
The EA-37B will replace the USAF’s 14-strong EC-130H Compass Call fleet, which is now being retired. Nine of the EC-130Hs have so far been retired. The EA-37B uses many of the same systems as the EC-130H, but is a more modern, and cost-effective, commercial derivative aircraft with increased range, ceiling, speed and agility.
Lt. Gen. Thomas Hensley said that: “The EA-37B is the right choice right now because as we continue to pivot toward Great Power Competition, we have adversaries that are developing long-range kill chain ecosystems and anti-access area denial capabilities. The Compass Call will allow us to do things in the non-kinetic spectrum as well as the electromagnetic spectrum to give us the advantage and not them.”
