Arizona to Remain at Center of Air Force Priorities with Arrival of First Compass Call Aircraft

The tactical weapon system central to the Air Force’s renewed focus on Electronic Warfare will be based entirely at Davis-Monthan

Today, Arizona Senator and 25-year Navy Veteran Mark Kelly announced that the first of ten EC-37B Compass Call aircraft has arrived in Arizona. The Compass Call fleet, which will be solely hosted at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (DM) in Tucson, is an airborne electronic warfare and intelligence platform at the center of the Air Force’s renewed focus on Electronic Warfare and Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority strategy. The fleet will deliver enhanced speed, endurance, and range and be a major component of future missions at DM and keep the base at the forefront of our national security strategy.  

As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, Kelly played a decisive role in bringing the next generation of the Compass Call program to DM and secured funding for four additional Compass Call aircraft beyond the original Air Force plan.  

“Boosting the Air Force’s electronic warfare capabilities is critical to ensuring we maintain our competitive edge over adversaries like China, and the next generation of Compass Call is central to that mission. With the Compass Call Fleet based entirely at Davis-Monthan, Arizona will remain at the forefront of our national defense strategy for years to come,” said Senator Kelly, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee. 

Background:  

The U.S. Air Force’s Compass Call Program is an airborne electronic warfare and intelligence platform designed to disrupt enemy communications and operations. The ten new generation EC-37B aircraft based at DM will replace 14 C-130 aircraft and advance U.S. coalition tactical air, surface, and special operations forces. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Airland Subcommittee, Sen. Kelly secured the procurement of four additional EC-37B Compass Call aircraft for DM and has urged the Air Force to make progress on funding for training simulators to support the Compass Call fleet, including in the FY24 NDAA. The Compass Call program is central to the transitioning missions at DM and an enduring capability for the Air Force to counter advanced threats and achieve air superiority.