US Air Force retires EC-130H Compass Call — Breaking Defense
The US Air Force has officially retired the EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft, which had been in service for more than 40 years. A farewell ceremony took place on September 18 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, where the aircraft conducted its final operational taxi.
As Breaking Defense reports, the EC-130H was operated by the 55th Electronic Combat Group. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base also hosts a storage facility for retired aircraft, to which the plane was to be transferred.
In service since 1983
The EC-130H was a modification of Lockheed Martin's C-130 turboprop transport aircraft, equipped with electronic attack equipment from BAE Systems and L3Harris. The aircraft entered service in 1983 and was intended to suppress enemy communications and jam radars.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The Pentagon also reported that EC-130H aircraft were used in the early stages of combat operations against Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury this year.
Replacement with the EA-37B
The EC-130H will be replaced by EA-37B aircraft, which will also carry the Compass Call name. The new platform is based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet and will carry BAE Systems equipment integrated by L3Harris.
According to the US Air Force, the EA-37B will be able to fly twice as high and twice as fast as its predecessor, while also using more powerful systems against the adversary. The first EA-37B was delivered to the US Air Force in August 2024. In April, US officials said the fleet of these aircraft would be increased to 22 units, while Italy became the first export customer for the EA-37B last year.
