EC-130H COMPASS CALL
Mission
Compass Call is the designation of a modified version of the C-130 Hercules aircraft configured to perform tactical information warfare. Specifically, the modified aircraft prevents or degrades communications essential to command and control of weapon systems and other resources. The system primarily supports tactical air operations, but also can provide jamming support to ground forces and amphibious operations.
Features
Modifications to the aircraft include the primary mission equipment, an air refueling capability and associated navigation and communications systems. Compass Call has demonstrated its powerful effect on enemy command and control networks in military operations over Kosovo, Haiti, Panama, Iraq, Serbia and Afghanistan.
The EC-130H aircraft carries a combat crew of 13 people. Four members are responsible for aircraft flight and navigation from the flight deck, while nine members operate and maintain the Compass Call primary mission equipment at the rear of the aircraft. The mission crew consists of an electronic warfare officer, who is the mission crew commander; an experienced cryptologic linguist is the mission crew supervisor; four analysis operators; one high band operator, one acquisition operator and an airborne maintenance technician.
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.
Background
In the world of airborne electronic warfare, the major players are the EC-130H Compass Call, the EA-6B Prowler and F-16CJ Fighting Falcons. Forming the "suppression of enemy air defenses triad," these forces jam communications and radar and destroy critical air defense and command and control targets. Compass Call is tasked by all the unified commands, and therefore, subject to worldwide deployment in support of tactical air, ground and amphibious forces on very short notice.
All Compass Call aircraft are assigned to Air Combat Command. The EC-130H Compass Call is operated by the 41st and 43d Electronic Combat Squadrons at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
Although located at Davis-Monthan, the squadrons report to the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB, Neb.
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses and offensive counter information
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
Power Plant: Four Allison T56-A-15 turboprops
Thrust: 4,591 prop shaft horsepower
Length: 97 feet, 9 inches (29.3 meters)
Height: 38 feet, 3 inches (11.4 meters)
Wingspan: 132 feet, 7 inches (39.7 meters)
Speed: 366 mph (Mach 0.52) at 20,000 feet (6,060 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 155,000 pounds (69,750 kilograms)
Mission Flight Crew: Thirteen (two pilots, navigator, flight engineer, electronic warfare officer, mission crew supervisor, four crypto logic linguists, high band operator, acquisition operator and an airborne maintenance technician.)
Unit Cost: $30.1 million
Date Deployed: June 1974
Inventory: Unavailable
Point of Contact
Air Combat Command, Public Affairs Office; 115 Thompson St., Suite 211; Langley AFB, VA 23665-1987; DSN 574-5014 or (757) 764-5014; e-mail: acc.pai@langley.af.mil
September 2003
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