Editing Lockheed EC-130 (section)

==Design and development==
[[File:EC-130E PA ANG over Harrisburg 1980.JPEG|thumb|A Pennsylvania ANG EC-130E in 1980.]]
The EC-130E Commando Solo entered service in 1978 as the EC-130E Coronet Solo with the [[Tactical Air Command]] (TAC). In 1983 the Coronet Solo's mission was transferred to the [[Military Airlift Command]] (MAC) and redesignated the EC-130E Volant Solo.  With the formation of [[Air Force Special Operations Command]], the mission was transferred to AFSOC and redesignated Commando Solo.  Operations were consolidated under a single-AFSOC gained unit, the [[193d Special Operations Wing]] (193 SOW) of the [[Pennsylvania Air National Guard]]. In the early 1990s the aircraft were upgraded and designated Commando Solo II. The EC-130E variants were replaced with new EC-130J Commando Solo III aircraft built by [[Lockheed Martin]] beginning in 2003.

Highly specialized modifications have been made to the latest version of the EC-130J (Commando Solo III). Included in these mods are enhanced navigation systems, self-protection equipment, and the capability of broadcasting color television on a multitude of worldwide standards throughout the TV VHF/UHF ranges.

Secondary missions include command and control communications countermeasures (C3CM) and limited intelligence gathering. The three variants are EC-130 ABCCC, EC-130E Commando Solo, and the EC-130J Commando Solo. The version currently in service is the EC-130J, as the last EC-130E was retired from service in 2006.

The USAF plans to begin replacing the 15 EC-130H Compass Call aircraft in 2020 with a commercial airframe transplanted with the Compass Call's electronic gear. 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 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>