BAE Systems Secures Contract to Upgrade Four U.S. EA-37B Fleet with Electromagnetic Warfare Systems

BAE Systems has secured a contract to provide advanced electromagnetic warfare (EW) mission systems for aircraft 7-10 in the U.S. Air Force's EA-37B fleet.

The Baseline 4 mission systems are designed to deliver potent long-range electromagnetic attack capabilities, focusing on disrupting and suppressing the enemy's use of the electromagnetic spectrum for communication, navigation, and air defense.

The ongoing replacement of the existing EC-130H Compass Call aircraft with 10 modernized EA-37B aircraft represents a transformation in the Compass Call platform. The upgraded EA-37B airframes are expected to enhance mission readiness by improving speed, altitude, endurance, and survivability.

The overarching mission of Compass Call is to counter adversaries' command and control, computing, communications, combat systems, and intelligence capabilities. Future modernization efforts will target enhancing counter-C5ISRT operations, utilizing software-defined radios and an open architecture to swiftly integrate new capabilities in response to evolving threats.

The U.S. Air Force received its first EC-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft, developed by BAE Systems and L3Harris Technologies, in September 2023. This new plane, based on a Gulfstream G550 business jet, will replace the aging EC-130 fleet. The EC-37B is designed for electronic warfare missions, including jamming enemy signals such as communications, radar, and navigation systems.

The electronic attack components are built by BAE in Hudson, New Hampshire, and integrated into the Gulfstream G550 by L3Harris in Waco, Texas. The EC-37B offers altitude and speed improvements, with a higher ceiling and greater speed compared to its predecessor. Testing will focus on ensuring the integration of mission systems and jamming capabilities are functioning correctly.

The EC-37B is expected to enhance the protection of friendly ships and aircraft from enemy attacks. The Air Force plans to deploy a fleet of 10 EC-37B Compass Call aircraft.