The Lockheed 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 strategic and tactical air, surface, and special operations forces.

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. The EC-130H is based on the C-130 Hercules, which is a mid-sized four turboprop engine military transport originally developed in the 1950s, but has been upgraded many times and been the basis for many specialized versions, including for electronic warfare (see Lockheed EC-130).

Design

Crew

thumb|left|Compass Call crew, 1989

The EC-130H aircraft carries a combat crew of 13 people. Four members handle aircraft flight and navigation (aircraft commander, co-pilot, navigator, and flight engineer), while nine members operate and employ the EA mission equipment permanently integrated into the cargo/mission compartment. The mission crew includes the mission crew commander (electronic warfare officer), weapon system officer (electronic warfare officer), mission crew supervisor (an experienced cryptologic linguist), four analysis operators (linguists), one acquisition operator, and an airborne maintenance technician.

Aircraft

thumb|A new EC-130H Compass Call Block 30 arrives at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona in 1997

The EC-130H fleet is composed of a mix of Baseline 1 and 2 aircraft.

On 15 January 2020, the first EC-130H Compass Call (serial number 73-01587) was retired from active service. The aircraft was the first EC-130H Compass Call delivered to the Air Force in March 1982.

The EC‑130H continued to operate into the mid‑2020s, but fleet numbers declined significantly as newer systems were introduced. In 2024, only a handful of the aircraft remained operational, and plans called for further retirements with mission equipment being transitioned to the next‑generation platform.

In 2025, the U.S. Air Force announced acquisition of additional next‑generation electronic‑attack aircraft — the EA‑37B Compass Call — to eventually replace the aging EC‑130H fleet, as this newer platform is expected to provide improved survivability, mission capability, and updated electronic warfare systems.

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Powerplant

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Performance

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See also

References

  • Air Force Link: Air Force news story (Compass Call continues to 'Jam' enemy)
  • Air Force Link: Air Force news story ('Bats' shield Airmen from harm)
  • Air Force Link: Air Force news story (Airpower supports Afghan elections)
  • Military.com: EC-130H Compass Call
  • AircraftGuru.com: EC-130H Compass Call