HUDSON, N.H. -- The U.S. Air Force has collaborated with BAE Systems to cross-deck the company’s advanced Compass Call electronic warfare system onto its next-generation electronic warfare aircraft. It is a critical upgrade for the EC-37B Baseline 4 platform that comes on the 40th anniversary of Compass Call, and is facilitated by BAE Systems’ Small Adaptive Bank of Electronic Resources (SABER) technology.
The SABER system transitions from hardware to software-based electromagnetic spectrum warfare capability on Compass Call. The system is built on a suite of software-defined radios using an open system architecture and will provide the backbone of the EC-37B’s operating system.
“This is a leading-edge upgrade that integrates third-party apps, giving aircrews the capability to respond to threats faster than ever before,” said Pam Potter, director of Electronic Attack Solutions at BAE Systems.
Compass Call is an airborne tactical electromagnetic attack weapon system that disrupts enemy command and control communications, radar, and navigation systems. The sophisticated mission system, developed and produced by BAE systems, has provided key jamming capabilities on the EC-130H since 1981, and will leverage that technology for the upgraded EC-37B platforms.
Air Force documents note that the EC-37B's design provides the flexibility to support the addition of new capabilities in the future to meet the changing mission requirements. The EC-37B aircraft, based on the Gulfstream 550 commercial business jet, has a length of 29m and a wingspan of 28m. It is powered by two Rolls-Royce BR710 C4-11 engines. The aircraft’s weight and operating costs are reduced by 50% each, compared to the existing EC-130H Compass Call.
The development of Compass Call Baseline 4 is taking place at BAE Systems’ facilities in Hudson, N.H., Nashua, N.H., Burlington, Mass., San Diego, Calif., and Dallas, Texas.
