Compass Call
Abstract
Compass Call is the Air Force's wide-area, standoff, Airborne Electromagnetic Attack (AEA) Command and Control Warfare/Information Operations (C2W/IO) weapon system. The employment of this weapon system interrupts the adversary's use of the electromagnetic battlespace and is a key active component in the information battlespace and prosecution of current ground and airborne threats. Compass Call's sophisticated electromagnetic attack system is capable of surgical denial and/or disruption of adversary Radio Frequency (RF) communications, radar, and sensor systems. Development funds are required to perform trade studies, accomplish system upgrades and associated test activities, and develop/test Quick Reaction Capabilities (QRCs). Due to rapid advances in Electromagnetic Attack (EA) techniques and technology, Compass Call is designed to be adaptable, making it well-suited for a continuous modernization strategy. Such a strategy ensures Compass Call techniques evolve at a pace capable of addressing adversary tactics and emerging technologies. The Compass Call weapon system is continuously improved using a rapid development and acquisition process supporting a Baseline upgrade strategy. User needs and technology insertion opportunities are continuously reviewed. As a result of technology refresh initiatives, including incorporation of open architectures, "plug and play” systems, software defined radios, and modular software development, Compass Call is implementing agile processes to support weapon system development activities. In FY2017, the Compass Call re-host program was initiated prompting transition of mission capabilities from the legacy EC-130H airframe to an EC-37B airframe. The re-hosted Compass Call platform is based on a commercially-available modified G550 aircraft that already holds Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for airworthiness. The platform will undergo modifications to host Compass Call's Prime Mission Equipment (PME) and antenna arrays and receive additional STCs and Military Type Certificates (MTCs). The EC-37B aircraft utilize PME harvested from the EC-130H aircraft and upgraded to the latest Baseline. Due to the age of the EC-130H fleet (average is 49 years), re-hosting of the PME is crucial to ensuring the longevity of this critical capability. In an effort to put capability into the warfighter's hands as soon as possible, the EC-37B program pursues concurrent developmental and production activities. EC-37B Baseline 3 (BL3) updates fielded Mid-Baseline 2 (MBL2) capabilities, while significantly increasing operating altitude and standoff distances through re-host onto the EC-37B airframe. Incremental low band capability has been added to BL3 through the extension of an existing frequency band. Baseline 4 (BL4) transitions the software baseline to an agile software framework and implements System-Wide Open Reconfigurable Dynamic Architecture (SWORD-A) to enable rapid integration of new capabilities offering increased target capacity. Baseline 5 (BL5) requirements are currently being developed and formalized. As a result of the FY23 Appropriations Act, the Compass Call program received 0.946M for training and simulation activities. This funding will support studies and analysis of future training and simulation upgrades, as well as future simulation capabilities for testing PME effectiveness against adversary threats. FY24 RDT&E efforts concentrate on BL4 development activities, maturation of AEA technologies, and trade studies for future Baseline efforts. Activities encompassed within the BL3 and BL4 PME upgrade may include, but are not limited to, aircraft system integration; assembly, test and checkout; mission system upgrades; obsolescence resolution; software development; systems engineering; test and evaluation; flight test; training systems; training events; support equipment; and Program Support Costs (PSC). Specific mission system developmental activities may include, but are not limited to, studies and analyses for future capabilities and baselines; preparation of white papers and technical reports; maturation of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) capabilities for future insertion; development of QRC applications for integration into Compass Call Software Defined Radios (SDRs); technology roadmap development; power expansion; transmit and receive development; size, weight, power and cooling (SWAP-C) reductions; hardware obsolescence and DMS/vanishing vendor items (VVI); transition of Compass Call PME to open architecture compliant standards; and continued migration of the Compass Call Operating System (CCOS) to an agile software construct. Compass Call funding also supports innovation activities to include studies, analyses, requirements definition, and QRC prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion, and future acquisition programs. This program element may include necessary emergent or unanticipated civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Compass Call for emergent or unanticipated weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2024
- Source ID
- 674804_0207253F_7_3600_PB_2024
Related Documents
- Root: Compass Call
- Child Accomplishment: Baseline Upgrade Development
- Child Cost Item: 15848baa6bd76f575616ac958da3ff1e
- Child Cost Item: ea18e127598027234b635a88cb54cc03
- Child Cost Item: 7d93db40dc2a8ad8e2b35c1b02839a0f
- Child Cost Item: 0b24b50a05a2ca6122b89e8773f2e46c