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BAE Delivers Final Hardware for USAF’s Compass Call EW Aircraft

BAE Systems has completed system components design and testing following the final delivery of key hardware for the US Air Force’s inaugural EC-37B Compass Call electronic warfare (EW) aircraft.

BAE said the last delivery would play a key role in the operational and developmental flight tests of Compass Call’s Baseline 3 configuration.

Baseline 3, which provides next-generation EW capabilities, is slated to begin configuration in January 2023.

“Since the program’s inception, BAE Systems has consistently delivered advanced capabilities for Compass Call,” said Director Jared Belinsky. “This final hardware delivery for the first EC-37B aircraft ensures an upgrade that will continue to outpace our adversaries.”

Compass Call 

The EC-37B Compass Call is the US Defense Department’s only long-range, full-spectrum EW jet equipped with enhanced stand-off jamming capabilities.

The new platform is a redesigned EC-130H airframe model with enhanced flight performance.

According to BAE, Compass Call can avert adversary transmission of information, weapon systems, and control networks, thereby defeating their air defenses.

The electronic warfare aircraft is also capable of disrupting enemy command and control communications, radar, and navigation systems to restrict battlespace coordination. 

In October last year, developer L3Harris announced that the EW warfare platform had completed its inaugural flight.

SABER Technology

Last year, BAE announced it had installed the Small Adaptive Bank of Electronic Resources (SABER) technology onto the aircraft.

SABER’s open system architecture allows for rapid insertion of new capabilities through software updates instead of hardware reconfiguration.“[SABER] is a leading-edge upgrade that integrates third-party apps, giving aircrews the capability to respond to threats faster than ever before,” Director Pam Potter said in a statement.

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