Making use of publicly available flight-tracking platforms, open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources have indicated that two of the most advanced electronic warfare aircraft in service with the U.S. Air Force have arrived on British territory, from where they could depart for the Middle East to make their operational debut. These are two EA-37B Compass Call aircraft, bearing tail numbers 17-5579 and 19-1587, whose tracked route showed them heading to RAF Mildenhall in England.
It should be noted at this point that the U.S. Air Force has not yet confirmed the transfer of these aircraft or the purpose behind it, so there is no official information as to whether they will ultimately head to the Middle East or instead remain in Europe. When asked by the specialized outlet The War Zone, both the 55th Wing stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, which operates the platform, and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) declined to confirm the latter, so further developments are still awaited in order to clarify the matter.
For now, it is worth recalling that the EA-37B Compass Call is the most modern electronic warfare platform in service with the U.S. Air Force, which raises doubts as to whether such a high-profile asset will ultimately be sent to take part in Operation Epic Fury. Even more so considering that, as we reported on March 29, Iran carried out a successful attack against one of the E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft deployed at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
In relation to this, U.S. analysts point out that this would be the same location where two EC-130H aircraft had also been providing support to Operation Epic Fury, and which may also have suffered damage in the recent strikes, although this has not been confirmed. If so, that could represent a reason for the U.S. Air Force to choose to deploy these aircraft, accelerating the previously planned replacement process under which around 10 EA-37B aircraft are to be acquired.
If they do ultimately end up operating in the Middle East, the EA-37B Compass Call would constitute an aircraft especially designed to detect and track various types of emitters deployed by the enemy on the ground, making it a model particularly useful for supporting ground operations, which in this case, however, have not yet begun. Its role could also be aimed at jamming communications between Iranian assets, further fragmenting their ability to respond in a coordinated manner to U.S. and Israeli attacks.
Finally, it should be mentioned that this type of electronic warfare aircraft had already passed through European territory prior to the outbreak of the war in the Middle East. As we reported at the beginning of February, one of the U.S. EA-37Bs passed through the aforementioned British base RAF Mildenhall, as well as the German bases of Ramstein and Spangdahlem. According to the Air Force, this took place in order to showcase its capabilities to Washington’s allies on the continent, which may choose to incorporate them into their own inventories.
Images used for illustrative purposes
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