Compass Call

Compass Call is the Air Force's wide-area, standoff Airborne Electromagnetic Attack (AEA) weapon system for Command and Control Warfare and Information Operations (C2W/IO). It disrupts an adversary's use of the electromagnetic battlespace through targeted denial or disruption of radio-frequency communications, radar, and sensors. These capabilities support operations against ground and airborne threats. The program element is funded through the Air Force Research, Development, Test & Evaluation appropriation in Budget Activity 7, Operational Systems Development, which covers upgrades to fielded systems or systems approved for full-rate production.

Compass Call uses rapid development and spiral baseline upgrades to keep pace with changing adversary tactics and electromagnetic attack technologies. Its technology-refresh approach incorporates open architectures, plug-and-play equipment, software-defined radios, and modular software so new capabilities can be integrated more quickly. Quick Reaction Capabilities (QRCs) address urgent warfighter requests that cannot wait for a baseline release. The acquisition program manager may redirect funding to meet current or emerging Combatant Commander requirements as threats and operational demands change.

The re-host effort began in fiscal year 2017 to move mission capabilities from the aging EC-130H fleet to the EA-37B. The new platform is based on a commercial-derivative G550 aircraft with Federal Aviation Administration Supplemental Type Certificates; modifications to carry Compass Call's Prime Mission Equipment (PME) and antenna arrays also involve additional civilian and military airworthiness certification. It reuses EC-130H PME upgraded to the latest baseline, preserving the capability as the legacy fleet ages. Development and production proceed concurrently to deliver the re-hosted system to warfighters sooner.

Baseline 3 (BL3) updates capabilities fielded under the EC-130H Mid-Baseline 2 configuration, while the EA-37B provides substantially greater operating altitude and standoff distance. Baseline 4 (BL4) moves the software baseline to an agile framework and implements System-Wide Open Reconfigurable Dynamic Architecture (SWORD-A). That architecture is intended to accelerate integration of new functions and increase target capacity. Baseline 5 (BL5) is oriented toward external and resilient communications for better battlespace connectivity, alongside extended frequency coverage and other advanced capabilities.

Project 674804, Compass Call funds re-host research and development for BL3 and BL4 modifications across twelve air vehicles. Its fiscal year 2027 work continues BL4 PME development, aircraft and mission-system integration, test and evaluation including range and flight-test activities and correction of PME discrepancies. It also supports platform engineering, offensive electromagnetic attack improvements, training systems and simulation laboratories, and studies for subsequent baselines. The scheduled BL4 development, test, and evaluation effort extends through the second quarter of fiscal year 2029.

Project 674804's broader development work includes maturing technologies for future insertion, developing QRC applications for Compass Call software-defined radios, expanding power and transmit-and-receive capabilities, and reducing size, weight, power, and cooling demands. It also advances open-architecture compliance for PME and migrates the Compass Call Operating System toward an agile software construct. Studies, technical reports, requirements work, and prototype demonstrations help prepare technology transitions and future acquisitions. Its fiscal year 2027 funding supports BL4 development and evaluation as well as maturation of AEA technologies.

Project 674807, EC-37B Compass Call was created for fiscal year 2027 to fund BL5 and future spiral upgrades beyond BL3 and BL4. Its requested-year activities refine BL5 requirements through analysis and trade studies, develop and test PME and platform changes, mature AEA technologies, and address emerging targets through frequency extension. Work also encompasses external and resilient communications, associated non-recurring engineering, support equipment, trainer and simulation modifications, and Weapon System Trainer integration. BL5 capability development, test, and evaluation is scheduled through the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2031.

The two projects separate near-term re-host and BL4 execution from longer-term capability development without changing Compass Call's continuous-upgrade strategy. Fiscal year 2027 research funding also covers program support and the engineering, training, and change-management activities needed to introduce mission-system updates. Related procurement budget lines identify Compass Call aircraft, modifications, modification spares, and general information technology as other sources of program funding. Together, these activities sustain the transition to the EA-37B while preparing the weapon system to counter evolving threats.