EA-37B Compass Call
US electronic warfare aircraft deployed pre-IOC to Iran conflict in April 2026.
Last refreshed: 3 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
What operational risk does deploying an aircraft before IOC certification carry?
Latest on EA-37B Compass Call
- What is the EA-37B Compass Call?
- A US Air Force electronic warfare aircraft on a Gulfstream G550 airframe, designed to jam enemy communications and air defence networks.Source: CENTCOM / Jane's Defence
- When was the EA-37B first used in combat?
- Its first combat deployment was confirmed by CENTCOM on 1 April 2026, departing RAF Mildenhall as aircraft AXIS41 and AXIS43.Source: Lowdown iran-conflict-2026
- Why was the EA-37B deployed early?
- To patch the electronic warfare gap left by the E-3 Sentry AWACS destroyed at Prince Sultan Air Base on 27 March 2026, before it reached Initial Operational Capability.Source: Lowdown iran-conflict-2026
- What replaced the E-3 Sentry AWACS?
- The EA-37B Compass Call was fast-tracked into combat deployment to partially fill the battle management gap after the E-3 Sentry was destroyed.Source: Lowdown iran-conflict-2026
- What airframe is the EA-37B based on?
- It is based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet, giving it extended range and lower logistical overhead than older Cold War platforms.Source: US Air Force
Background
The EA-37B Compass Call is a US Air Force electronic warfare aircraft built on the Gulfstream G550 business jet airframe. It disrupts enemy command-and-control communications, radar systems, and air defence networks. CENTCOM confirmed its first combat deployment on 1 April 2026, when aircraft AXIS41 and AXIS43 departed RAF Mildenhall for the Middle East theatre.
The deployment was accelerated before the aircraft reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC) to fill the battle management gap left by the E-3 Sentry AWACS destroyed at Prince Sultan Air Base on 27 March 2026. The Compass Call provides mobile communications jamming and electronic attack rather than airborne surveillance, a different but overlapping capability needed urgently once the AWACS gap opened.
The pre-IOC deployment reflects pressure on CENTCOM to restore electronic dominance with degraded assets. The Gulfstream-based design gives extended range and lower logistical overhead than Cold War-era platforms. Its deployment signals how the US is adapting its electronic warfare posture under attrition, while accepting the operational risk of fielding a system not yet certified for full combat service.
