U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that the EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft is actively participating in Operation Epic Fury, marking a major upgrade in the electromagnetic battlefield against Iran.
The EA-37B is one of the most advanced electronic attack platforms in the world. Unlike conventional strike aircraft, its primary mission is not to destroy targets physically, but to blind, disrupt, and paralyze enemy systems. It achieves this by jamming communications, interfering with radar networks, and degrading command-and-control infrastructure across the battlespace.
Built on the Gulfstream G550 business jet platform, the EA-37B replaces the aging EC-130H and brings significantly improved speed, altitude, range, and survivability. This allows it to operate deeper into contested environments while maintaining persistent electronic pressure on enemy networks.
Its core capabilities include:
• Radar Suppression: Disrupting and degrading enemy air defense systems, making it harder to detect or track allied aircraft
• Communications Jamming: Blocking coordination between military units, including ground forces and command centers
• Signal Interference: Targeting data links, GPS signals, and potentially missile guidance systems
• Battlefield Isolation: Cutting off units from leadership, creating confusion and slowing response times
In the context of operations against Iran, the EA-37B plays a critical force-multiplier role. By neutralizing Iranian air defenses and communications, it enables stealth aircraft such as F-35s and bombers to operate with greater freedom and reduced risk.
Its presence also signals a shift toward full-spectrum warfare, where dominance is achieved not only through firepower, but through control of the electromagnetic domain—effectively shutting down an adversary’s ability to see, communicate, and react.
