US approves sale of EA-37B Compass Call electronic-attack aircraft to Italy
The US State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Italy, authorizing the acquisition of the Electronic Attack Mission System and associated equipment at an estimated cost of $680 million.
Italy’s request includes the EA-37B mission system, which comprises multiple subsystems, namely “Network Centric Collaborative Targeting (NCCT) systems; System Control and Monitoring subsystems; Radio Frequency Receiver (RFR) subsystems; Software-defined Radio (SDR) subsystems; Counter Radar Assembly; Array Panels; AN/ARC-210 RT-2036 radios; KG-250 In-line Network Encryptors; KY-100 Narrow/wideband Terminals; KIV-77 Mode 4/5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF); AN/PYQ-10C Simple Key Loaders”
Additionally, Italy will receive cryptographic devices, precision navigation systems, and various aircraft support and maintenance services.
The EA-37B, designed for airborne electromagnetic attacks, will enable Italy to deny, degrade, and disrupt enemy communications, radar systems, and navigation channels.
The system is fitted in a modified Gulfstream G550 business jet. In 2020, the Italian government announced the requirement for two G550-based SIGINT (Signal Intelligence) platforms and six more airframes to be converted at a later time. The Italian Air Force already has two Airborne Early Warning aircraft based on the same business jet, known as the G550 CAEW.
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This potential sale follows the recent delivery of the first EA-37B to the US Air Force’s Air Combat Command (ACC).
On August 27, 2024, the first EA-37B Compass Call aircraft was delivered to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, to replace the EC-130H Compass Call, a long-serving electronic warfare aircraft based on the C-130 Hercules.
While the EC-130H operated with a crew of 13, the newer EA-37B is optimized for a smaller crew of nine, offering advanced capabilities and greater efficiency.
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The post US approves sale of EA-37B Compass Call electronic-attack aircraft to Italy appeared first on AeroTime.
The US State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Italy, authorizing the…
The post US approves sale of EA-37B Compass Call electronic-attack aircraft to Italy appeared first on AeroTime.
