Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call
The EC-130H Compass Call is an electronic attack aircraft flown by the United States Air Force. Based on the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, the aircraft is heavily modified to disrupt enemy command and control communications, perform offensive counterinformation operations, and carry out other kinds of electronic attacks. Planned upgrades will add the ability to attack early warning and acquisition radars. Based at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona, EC-130Hs can be deployed worldwide at short notice to support U.S. and allied tactical air, surface, and special operations forces.
| EC-130H Compass Call | |
|---|---|
| An EC-130H Compass Call departs Davis-Monthan AFB | |
| Role | Electronic warfare (EW), Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), offensive counter-information |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed (airframe) BAE Systems (prime mission equipment) L3 Communications (aircraft integration and depot maintenance) |
| Introduction | April 1982 |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Number built | 14 (USAF) |
The EC-130H is one of the three main U.S. electronic warfare aircraft, along with the Boeing EA-18G Growler, and F-16CJ Fighting Falcon, all of which can suppress enemy air defenses while jamming communications, radar, and command-and-control targets.
In September 2017, the Air Force announced that L3 Technologies will serve as the lead systems integrator for a future Compass Call aircraft based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet. The new Compass Call platform was designated as EA-37B by Air Combat Command on November 14, 2023.