Editing Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call (section)

{{short description|Communications jamming aircraft version of the C-130H Hercules}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = EC-130H Compass Call
| image = File:73-1580 Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call (framed).jpg
| caption = An EC-130H Compass Call departs [[Davis–Monthan Air Force Base|Davis-Monthan AFB]]
| type = [[Electronic warfare]] (EW), [[Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses]] (SEAD), offensive counter-information
| manufacturer = [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed]] (airframe)<br>[[BAE Systems]] (prime mission equipment)<br>[[L-3 Communications|L3 Communications]] (aircraft integration and depot maintenance)
| designer = 
| first_flight = 1981
| introduction = 1983 ([[Initial operating capability|IOC]])
| retired = 
| status = 7 in service (2023)
| primary_user = [[United States Air Force]]
| more_users = 
| produced = 
| number_built = 14 (USAF)
| unit cost = $165&nbsp;million
| developed_from= [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]] 
| variants = 
}}

The '''EC-130H Compass Call''' is an [[electronic warfare|electronic attack]] aircraft flown by the [[United States Air Force]]. Based on the [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]], the aircraft is heavily modified to disrupt enemy [[command and control]] communications, perform offensive counterinformation operations, and carry out other kinds of electronic attacks. Planned upgrades will add the ability to attack early warning and acquisition radars.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.acc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/199187/ec-130h-compass-call/ | title = EC-130H COMPASS CALL > Air Combat Command > Display | access-date = 13 January 2018 | publisher = Air Combat Command, Public Affairs Office }}</ref> Based at [[Davis-Monthan AFB]] in Arizona, EC-130Hs can be deployed worldwide at short notice to support U.S. and allied strategic and tactical air, surface, and [[special operations forces]].

The EC-130H is one of the three main U.S. electronic warfare aircraft, along with the [[Boeing EA-18G Growler]], and [[F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16CJ/DJ Block 50D/52D|F-16CJ Fighting Falcon]], all of which can suppress enemy air defenses while jamming communications, radar, and command-and-control targets.<ref name=EC130Hfacts>{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104550/ec-130h-compass-call/|access-date=8 March 2020|title=EC-130H Compass Call|work=Air Force }}</ref>

In September 2017, the Air Force announced that [[L3 Technologies]] will serve as the lead systems integrator for a future Compass Call aircraft based on the [[Gulfstream G550]] business jet.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.defensenews.com/air/2017/09/08/l3-gets-compass-call-contract-names-gulfstream-as-airframe-provider/ | date = 8 September 2017 | title = L3 gets Compass Call contract, names Gulfstream as airframe provider | first = Valerie | last = Insinna | work = Defense News | publisher = Sightline Media Group}}</ref> The new Compass Call platform was designated as [[EA-37B Compass Call|EA-37B]] by [[Air Combat Command]] on November 14, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title= EC-37B Mission Design Series designation change to EA-37B |url=https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3588046/ec-37b-mission-design-series-designation-change-to-ea-37b/ |website=Air Combat Command |date=14 November 2023 |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Tirpak |first1=John A. |title=New EC-37B Gets a Designation Change to EA-37B |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/new-ec-37b-designation-change-ea-37b/ |website=Air & Space Forces Magazine |date=20 November 2023 |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref> The EC-130H is based on the C-130 Hercules, which is a mid-sized four turboprop engine military transport originally developed in the 1950s, but has been upgraded many times and been the basis for many specialized versions including for electronic warfare. (see [[Lockheed EC-130]])