- Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call
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EC-130H Compass Call 
An EC-130H Compass Call flies a training mission over Lake Mead, Arizona. Role Electronic warfare (EW), Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), offensive counter-information Manufacturer Lockheed (airframe)
BAE Systems (prime mission equipment)
L3 Communications (aircraft integration and depot maintenance)Introduction April 1982 Primary user United States Air Force Number built 14 (USAF) Unit cost $165 million The EC-130H Compass Call is an American airborne tactical weapon system using a heavily modified version of the C-130 Hercules airframe. It is based at Davis-Monthan AFB. The system attempts to disrupt enemy command and control communications and limits adversary coordination essential for enemy force management. The Compass Call system employs the offensive counterinformation and electronic attack capabilities in support of U.S. and Coalition tactical air, surface, and special operations forces. Programmed upgrades will expand its mission by procuring a secondary Electronic Attack (EA) capability against early warning and acquisition radars.
U.S. airborne electronic warfare consists of three major 'players' forming a triad of capability: the EC-130H Compass Call, the EA-18 Growler, and the F-16CJ Fighting Falcon suppress enemy air defenses while jamming communications, radar and command and control targets. Compass Call is in demand with all unified commands, and therefore, subject to worldwide deployment in support of operations on very short notice.
Contents
Development
The EC-130H fleet is composed of a mix of state-of-the-art baseline aircraft.
Compass Call provides the Air Force with additional capabilities to jam communication, Early Warning/Acquisition radar and navigation systems through higher effective radiated power, extended frequency range and insertion of digital signal processing. The Block 35 will have the flexibility to keep pace with adversary use of technology. It is highly reconfigurable and permits incorporation of clip-ins with less crew impact. It promotes enhanced crew proficiency, maintenance and sustainment with a common fleet configuration, new operator interface, increased reliability and better fault detection.
Compass Call integrates into tactical air operations at any level. The versatile and flexible nature of the aircraft and its crew enable the power of electronic combat to be brought to bear in virtually any combat situation.
Design
Crew
The EC-130H aircraft carries a combat crew of 13 people. Four members are responsible for aircraft flight and navigation (Aircraft Commander, Co-Pilot, Navigator and Flight Engineer), while nine members operate and employ the EW mission equipment permanently integrated in the cargo/mission compartment. The mission crew includes the Mission Crew Commander, Weapon System Officer, Mission Crew Supervisor (MCS or "Lead"), four Analysis Operators (Airborne Cryptologic Linguists), one Acquisition Operator (ELINT), and an Airborne Maintenance Technician.
Operational history
Compass Call has demonstrated a powerful effect on enemy command and control networks in multiple military operations including Kosovo, Haiti, Panama, Iraq, Serbia, Afghanistan.
Operators
- Air Combat Command (Langley Air Force Base, Virginia)
- 55th Wing (Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska)
- 55th Electronic Combat Group (Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona)
- 41st Electronic Combat Squadron
- 42d Electronic Combat Squadron
- 43d Electronic Combat Squadron
- 55th Electronic Combat Group (Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona)
- 55th Wing (Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska)
Specifications (EC-130H)
Data from {Air Force Link: EC-130H Compass Call}[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 13
- Length: 97 ft, 9 in (29.3 m)
- Wingspan: 132 ft, 7 in (39.7 m)
- Height: 38 ft, 3 in (11.4 m)
- Wing area: ft² (m²)
- Empty weight: lb (kg)
- Loaded weight: lb (kg)
- Useful load: lb (kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 155,000 lb (69,750 kg)
- Powerplant: 4 × Allison T56-A-15 turboprop, 4591 hp (kW) each
Performance
- Never exceed speed: knots (mph, km/h)
- Maximum speed: knots (mph, km/h)
- Cruise speed: knots (300 mph, mach 0.52)
- Stall speed: knots (mph, km/h)
- Range: nm (mi, km)
- Service ceiling: ft (m)
- Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
- Power/mass: hp/lb (W/kg)
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- C-130 Hercules
- EC-130E Rivet Rider
- EC-130J Commando Solo
- MC-130H Combat Talon II
References
- ^ "EC-130H Compass Call". United States Air Force. http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=190. Retrieved 2006-01-15.
External links
- Air Force Link: EC-130H Compass Call factsheet
- Air Force Link: Air Force news story (Compass Call continues to 'Jam' enemy)
- Air Force Link: Air Force news story ('Bats' shield Airmen from harm)
- Air Force Link: Air Force news story (Airpower supports Afghan elections)
- Military.com: EC-130H Compass Call
- AircraftGuru.com: EC-130H Compass Call
Lockheed C-130 Hercules Basic variants Modified variants Civil variants Miscellaneous List of C-130 Hercules crashes · List of Lockheed C-130 Hercules operators
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