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EA-37B Compass Call conducts first Europe deployment as USAF phases out EC-130 electronic‑warfare turboprops

The U.S. Air Force has flown the EA‑37B Compass Call to Europe for the first time, showcasing the jet's electronic‑attack capabilities to deployed airmen as the service accelerates retirement of its aging EC‑130 turboprop electronic‑warfare fleet. The deployment marks a shift toward jet‑based EW platforms.

Discovered 2026-01-27T15:12:09.427470-08:00 | 2026-01-27T15:12:09.427470-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • Demonstrates the USAF is operationalizing a jet‑based Compass Call to replace legacy EC‑130s, a transition that will reshape sustainment, basing and lifecycle costs; this follows broader turboprop retirements and moves to jet platforms (see source:51750af6-b1c1-436b-8811-cf89e1e8ee91).

  • A European maiden flight and public demonstrations accelerate tactics development and integration with SIGINT assets, building on recent RC‑135/EA‑37B mission activity that informs interoperability and spectrum‑dominance employment (see source:29ad7ec6-54f3-4d4c-9967-62c11b2bec83).

Reported By

news.ssbcrack.com aerospaceglobalnews.com FlightGlobal Stars and Stripes defence-industry.eu The War Zone
Sources Tracked
9
First Seen
2026-01-27T15:12:09.427470-08:00
Latest Update
2026-02-03T03:35:27.962871-08:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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