https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_EC-130H_Compass_Call
The EC-130H Compass Call is an electronic attack aircraft flown by the United
States Air Force. Based on the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules, the aircraft is
heavily modified to disrupt enemy command and control communications, perform
offensive counterinformation operations, and do other kinds of electronic
attack. Planned upgrades will add the ability to attack early warning and
acquisition radars. Based at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona, EC-130Hs can be
deployed worldwide at short notice to support U.S. and allied tactical air,
surface, and special operations forces.
The EC-130H is one of the four main U.S. electronic warfare aircraft, along with
the Boeing EA-18 Growler, Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler, and F-16CJ Fighting
Falcon, all of which can suppress enemy air defenses while jamming
communications, radar, and command-and-control targets.
In September 2017, the Air Force announced that L3 Technologies will serve as
the lead systems integrator for a future Compass Call aircraft based on the
Gulfstream 550 business jet. The new Compass Call platform has been designated
EC-X.
The EC-130H fleet is composed of a mix of state-of-the-art baseline aircraft.
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 in 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.
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
Compass Call has been used in Kosovo, Haiti, Panama, Iraq, Serbia, Afghanistan,
and elsewhere.
From 2002 to 2015, EC-130Hs participating in Operation Enduring Freedom -
Afghanistan and Operation Freedom's Sentinel flew over 40,000 hours during 6,900
combat sorties.
Specifications (EC-130H)
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)
Empty weight: 101,000 lb (45,813 kg)
Useful load: lb (kg)
Loaded weight: lb (kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 155,000 lb (69,750 kg)
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: 2,295 nm (mi, 3,694 km)
Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s)
Power/mass: hp/lb (W/kg)
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