Davis-Monthan Air Force Base welcomed a new breed of electronic fighter on August 23rd, 2024, as the Air Force took delivery of its first training-focused EA-37B Compass Call aircraft. This delivery marks a significant step in modernizing the Air Force’s electronic attack capabilities and signals a shift towards countering increasingly sophisticated adversaries.
The EA-37B is a heavily modified Gulfstream G550 business jet that boasts advanced electronic warfare systems developed by BAE Systems. Unlike its predecessor, the aging EC-130H Compass Call, the EA-37B leverages a cutting-edge platform to deliver a potent blend of speed, range, and technological superiority.
A Pilot’s Dream: Delivering Cutting-Edge Capability
General Kenneth Wilsbach, head of Air Combat Command, piloted the EA-37B on its maiden voyage from L3Harris Technologies’ facility in Waco, Texas, to its new home at Davis-Monthan. “For a pilot, there’s nothing better than picking up a brand-new aircraft from a factory and delivering it to the warfighters,” remarked General Wilsbach. “It flies like a dream, and for those of you who are going to get to fly it … it’s going to be amazing.”
Training the Next Generation of Electronic Warfare Airmen
While the EA-37B will eventually be deployed in real-world operations, its initial focus will be training the next generation of electronic warfare aircrews. The aircraft will be instrumental in honing the skills of pilots and electronic warfare officers from the 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron, who will be responsible for operating and maintaining this advanced platform.
“The EC-130 has served its purpose for years, but this new airframe and its delivery mean that we have a combat-credible threat,” stated Colonel Mark Howard, 55th Wing commander. “The EA-37B, with its increased range, speed, and agility, will allow Airmen onboard the aircraft to make real-time, adaptive, agile decisions for airpower.”
Maintaining the Edge in an Era of Great Power Competition
The arrival of the EA-37B is timely, given the evolving geopolitical terrain. With the rise of near-peer adversaries, the ability to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum has become paramount. The EA-37B, with its sophisticated jamming and electronic attack capabilities, will be crucial in disrupting enemy communications, radar systems, and command-and-control networks, effectively blinding and confusing adversaries in a conflict.
“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,” explained Lieutenant General Thomas Hensley, Sixteenth Air Force commander. “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.”
A New Chapter at Davis-Monthan AFB
The arrival of the EA-37B ushers in a new chapter for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, long associated with the EC-130H. The base will receive a second EA-37B for training by the end of 2024, advancing its role as a central hub for the Air Force’s electronic warfare capabilities.
“As we look to take on the growing threat, the bottom line for the Airmen of Davis-Monthan and the 55th Electronic Combat Group is we are ready today to face that threat,” asserted Colonel Scott Mills, 355th Wing commander. With the EA-37B, the Air Force is replacing an aging platform and investing in a force multiplier to maintain its electromagnetic spectrum edge.
