Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call

Crew The EC-130H aircraft carries a combat crew of 13 people. Four members handle aircraft flight and navigation (aircraft commander, co-pilot, navigator, and flight engineer), while nine members operate and employ the EA mission equipment permanently integrated into the cargo/mission compartment. The mission crew includes the mission crew commander (electronic warfare officer), weapon system officer (electronic warfare officer), mission crew supervisor (an experienced cryptologic linguist), four analysis operators (linguists), one acquisition operator, and an airborne maintenance technician. Aircraft The EC-130H fleet is composed of a mix of Baseline 1 and 2 aircraft. The Block 35 Baseline 1 EC-130H 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 compared to earlier EC-130Hs. Baseline 1 aircraft have the flexibility to keep pace with adversary use of emerging technology. It promotes enhanced crew proficiency, maintenance, and sustainment with a common fleet configuration, new operator interface, increased reliability, and better fault detection. Baseline 2 has several upgrades to ease operator workload and improve effectiveness. Improved external communications allow Compass Call crews to maintain situational awareness and connectivity in dynamic operational and tactical environments. Aircraft communication capabilities are improved with the expansion of satellite communications connectivity compatible with emerging DoD architectures, increased multi-asset coordination nets, and upgraded data-link terminals. Delivery of Baseline-2 provides the Air Force with the equivalent of a "fifth generation electronic attack capability," providing improved aircraft performance and survivability. A majority of the improvements found in the EC-130H Compass Call Baseline-2 are classified modifications to the mission system that enhance precision and increase attack capabilities. == Operational history ==

, West Germany in 1986 The Compass Call had its first flight in 1981, was delivered to the Air Force in 1982, and reached initial operating capability in 1983. On 15 January 2020, the first EC-130H Compass Call (serial number 73-01587) was retired from active service. The aircraft was the first EC-130H Compass Call delivered to the Air Force in March 1982. The EC‑130H continued to operate into the mid‑2020s, but fleet numbers declined significantly as newer systems were introduced. In 2024, only a handful of the aircraft remained operational, and plans called for further retirements with mission equipment being transitioned to the next‑generation platform. In 2025, the U.S. Air Force announced acquisition of additional next‑generation electronic‑attack aircraft — the EA‑37B Compass Call — to eventually replace the aging EC‑130H fleet, as this newer platform is expected to provide improved survivability, mission capability, and updated electronic warfare systems. On the night of 07 April 2026 (SAST, GMT +3) during USA-Iran war two Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call were heavily damaged at the Prince Sultan Air Base, KSA. ==Operators==

; • United States Air Force • Air Combat Command • 55th Electronic Combat Group == Specifications (EC-130H) ==