Compass Call

Mission — Compass Call source

Compass Call is the Air Force's wide-area, standoff, Airborne Electromagnetic Attack (AEA) Command and Control Warfare/Information Operations (C2W/IO) weapon system. The employment of this weapon system interrupts the adversary's use of the electromagnetic battlespace and is a key active component in the information battlespace and prosecution of current ground and airborne threats. Compass Call's sophisticated electromagnetic attack system is capable of surgical denial and/or disruption of adversary Radio Frequency (RF) communications, radar and sensor systems. Due to rapid advances in Electromagnetic Attack (EA) techniques and technology, Compass Call is designed to be adaptable, making it well-suited for a continuous modernization strategy. Such a strategy ensures Compass Call techniques evolve at a pace capable of addressing adversary tactics and emerging technologies. The Compass Call weapon system is continuously improved using a rapid development and acquisition process supporting a spiral baseline upgrade strategy. User needs and technology insertion opportunities are continuously reviewed. As a result of technology refresh initiatives, including incorporation of open architectures, "plug and play” systems, software defined radios, and modular software development, Compass Call is implementing agile processes to support weapon system development activities. In FY 2017, the Compass Call re-host program was initiated prompting transition of mission capabilities from the legacy EC-130H airframe to an EA-37B airframe. The re-hosted Compass Call platform is based on a commercial derivative G550 aircraft holding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for airworthiness. The platform will undergo modifications to host Compass Call's Prime Mission Equipment (PME) and antenna arrays and will receive additional STCs and Military Type Certificates (MTCs). The EA-37B aircraft will re-use PME from the EC-130H aircraft that will be upgraded to the latest Baseline. Due to the age of the EC-130H fleet, re-hosting of the PME is crucial to ensuring the longevity of this critical capability. In an effort to put capability into the warfighter's hands as soon as possible, the EA-37B program pursues concurrent developmental and production activities. EA-37B Baseline 3 (BL3) updates fielded EC-130H Mid-Baseline 2 (MBL2) capabilities, while significantly increasing operating altitude and standoff distances through re-host onto the EA-37B airframe. Baseline 4 (BL4) transitions the software baseline to an agile software framework and implements System-Wide Open Reconfigurable Dynamic Architecture (SWORD-A) to enable rapid integration of new capabilities offering increased target capacity. Requirements for Baseline 5 (BL5) are currently being determined and are intended to focus on external communications systems to improve connectivity across the battlespace. FY 2026 RDT&E efforts continue BL4 development activities, BL4 test and evaluation, maturation of AEA technologies, and trade studies for future Baseline efforts. Activities encompassed within the BL4 PME upgrade may include, but are not limited to, aircraft system integration; assembly, test and checkout; mission system upgrades; obsolescence resolution; software development; systems engineering; test and evaluation; flight test; training systems; training events; support equipment; and Program Support Costs (PSC). Specific mission system developmental activities may include, but are not limited to, studies and analyses for future capabilities and baselines; preparation of white papers and technical reports; maturation of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) capabilities for future insertion; development of QRC applications for integration into Compass Call Software Defined Radios (SDRs); technology roadmap development; power expansion; transmit and receive development; size, weight, power and cooling (SWAP-C) reductions; transition of Compass Call PME to open architecture compliant standards; and continued migration of the Compass Call Operating System (CCOS) to an agile software construct. Compass Call funding also supports innovation activities to include studies, analyses, requirements definition, and QRC prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion, and future acquisition programs. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F or 0606398F. In FY 2024 0.000M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element. In FY 2025 1.0M is being expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element. In FY 2026 1.0M is being expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element. The FY 2026 request for Compass Call includes $0 thousand of discretionary and $63,137 thousand of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $63,137 thousand. The mandatory funds increase EA-37B production by continuing development, test and evaluation, maturation of AEA technologies, and trade studies for Baseline and Future Baselines. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20007 (Air Superiority) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (1)