BAE graphic

BAE Systems graphic of the new EC-37B Compass Call, with the current EC-130H model in the background. L3Harris is the systems integrator for the EC-37B, with BAE contributing work on the electronic warfare suite. (BAE Systems)

WASHINGTON: The first new EC-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft recently made its inaugural flight, L3Harris announced Wednesday.

Unlike a typical military aircraft procurement program, the US Air Force intends to modernize its aging Compass Call fleet by stripping sophisticated electronic warfare systems out of its legacy EC-130H aircraft and incorporating them onboard new Gulfstream G550 business jets.

The EC-37Bs will be equipped with additional technologies meant to disrupt enemy sensors and communications gear. Updating the service’s EW capability is vital to the All Domain Operations warfare concept being pursued by the Pentagon.

Delivery of the first EC-37B could occur as early as December 2022, an Air Force spokeswoman confirmed.

A news release from L3Harris was light on details of the flight, saying only that it occurred at an unnamed Gulfstream facility where L3Harris is also making modifications to the aircraft.

“The Air Force’s cross-deck initiative ensures it can continue its critical electronic warfare mission for many years,” said Luke Savoie, president of aviation services for L3Harris. “Our collaboration with teammates BAE and Gulfstream will enable the Air Force to outpace its adversaries and counter emerging technologies.”

Over the life of the program, L3Harris will build 10 combat-coded EC-37Bs and one training aircraft.

According to budget documents, six G550s have been procured. The first five aircraft will be equipped with “baseline 3” mission equipment that mixes systems from the EC-130H with new tech. The sixth EC-37B will receive the “baseline 4” equipment, which will introduce an open systems architecture that will allow new EW payloads to plug into the aircraft when needed.

The new G550s offer increased speed and range compared to the original EC-130H airframe and will increase survivability, the company stated in a news release. BAE Systems, which built the EW systems of the original EC-130H, is managing the mission systems of the new EC-37B.

As systems integrator, L3Harris was given unprecedented power to choose a new business jet to host the electronic warfare suite — a move that created its share of controversy during the early days of the EC-37B program.

During the summer of 2017, competitors Boeing and Bombardier protested the Air Force’s acquisition strategy on the basis that the systems integrator role overstepped regulations. However, the Government Accountability Office dismissed the allegations in Aug. 2017, and a month later, the service awarded L3Harris an undefinitized contract.

Although not the flashiest aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory, the EC-130H has played a major role in combat over its 40 years of operation, having been continuously deployed to support US Central Command since 2002.

The Air Force operates a fleet of 14 legacy EC-130Hs, five of which have been retired so far, according to the service. Two more Compass Call aircraft are set to retire in FY22.

Editor’s Note: This report was updated Oct. 7 at 2:22 p.m. ET to reflect that five legacy EC-130Hs have been retired, not four as the Air Force originally stated.