Aircraft
First Flight for Mission-equipped Compass Call Gulfstream
The Gulfstream G550-based EC-37B is taking over the electronic attack role from the long-serving EC-130H Hercules.
EC-37B Compass Call
The EC-37B uses the aerodynamic fairing configuration of the Conformal Airborne Early Warning version of the Gulfstream G550. (Photo: L3Harris)

L3Harris completed the first flight of the EC-37B Compass Call Cross Deck aircraft in a fully missionized configuration on May 4. The outfitted special-mission aircraft completed a four-hour flight from the company’s integration and modification center in Waco, Texas. An EC-37B had earlier made test flights in its modified aerodynamic form but without the mission equipment installed.

Based on the Gulfstream G550, the EC-37B is adopting the U.S. Air Force’s electronic attack role from the Lockheed EC-130H, which has been in service since the early 1980s. Known as Compass Call, the role involves disrupting enemy command and control communications, as well as targeting radar and navigation systems.

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