EA-37B Compass Call
| EA-37B Compass Call | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Other name(s) | Banshee |
| Role | Electronic Attack |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Management | Air Combat Command |
| Service | United States Air Force |
| Number built | 1 out of 10 total planned |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 23 August 2024 |
| Developed from | Gulfstream G550 |
The EA-37B Banshee (formerly EC-37B) is an Electronic Attack aircraft based on the Gulfstream G550 entering service with the United States Air Force with the first example delivered on 23 August 2024 to Davis–Monthan Air Force Base for crew training.[1] The plane is replacing the EC-130H Compass Call.
The jet will be able to conduct jamming of radars, electronic systems and communications. It will also be able to participate in the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission by disrupting an enemy’s ability to coordinate sensors and command-and-control weapon batteries that target friendly aircraft.[1]
History
[edit]
On 23 October 2018, Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson, approved Air Combat Command's request to replace the EC-130H Compass Call aircraft from the 55th Electronic Combat Group (ECG) located at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, with EA-37B aircraft (then known as EC-37B). The basing decision memorandum was signed on 15 November 2018. The first airframe was delivered to the air force in September 2023 for evaluation and testing.[2]
On 23 August 2024, the first ready aircraft (serial number 19-5591) was delivered to Davis-Monthan AFB to begin pilot training.
Designation
[edit]Originally designated EC-37B, as an electronic warfare version of the C-37B transport jet under the tri-service aircraft designation system. The designation was officially changed to EA-37B on 14 November 2023[3] to better reflect the aircraft's role and capabilities although the name change had been hinted at before.[4] The new designation does however conflict with that of the unrelated and long retired A-37 Dragonfly, itself a non-systematic designation.
Specifications
[edit]Data from Air Combat Command link: EA-37B Compass Call[5]
General characteristics
- Crew: up to nine: two pilots and up to seven crew members according to mission including the mission crew commander (electronic warfare officer), weapon system officer (electronic warfare officer), mission crew supervisor (an experienced cryptologic linguist), analysis operators (linguists), one acquisition operator and/or an airborne maintenance technician.
- Length: 96 ft 5 in (29.39 m)
- Wingspan: 93 ft 6 in (28.50 m)
- Height: 25 ft 10 in (7.87 m)
- Empty weight: 101,000 lb (45,813 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 91,000 lb (41,277 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 41,300 lbs
- Powerplant: 2 × Rolls Royce BR700-710 C4-11 turbofan, 15,385 lbf (68.44 kN) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 767 mph (1,234 km/h, 667 kn)
- Range: 4,410 mi (7,100 km, 3,830 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (14,000 m)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Hadley, Greg (27 August 2024), "Air Force Delivers First EA-37 Electronic Attack Aircraft to Base", Air & Space Forces Magazine, retrieved 29 August 2024
- ^ Tirpak, John (14 September 2023). "First EC-37 Delivered for Testing; CCAs Will Complement It". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "EC-37B Mission Design Series designation change to EA-37B". Air Combat Command. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph (21 November 2023). "New 'Attack' EA-37B Moniker For USAF Electronic Warfare Jets". The War Zone. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "EA-37B Compass Call" (PDF), ACC.AF.MIL, 8 November 2023, retrieved 5 September 2024