who is the us air force targeting by giving priority to delivering its new generation of electronic warfare aircraft to the indo-pacific?
2024-09-07
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according to the global times, the british jane's defense weekly website revealed on september 2 that the us air force's new generation of electronic warfare aircraft ea-37b "calling compass" has been officially delivered. this is a new weapon tailored by the us air force for the era of great power competition.
according to reports, the u.s. air force air combat command has received the first ea-37b electronic warfare aircraft. the u.s. air force stated in a press release: "the aircraft maintains the military advantage of the joint force on the electromagnetic battlefield and obtains more lethal capabilities through modernized electronic attack means to block competitors' tactical networks and information systems. the aircraft will block, weaken and destroy enemy communications, information processing, navigation, radar systems and radios, and use offensive electronic attack capabilities to support u.s. and military coalition tactical air, surface and special operations forces."
the us military has many types of electronic warfare aircraft. the more familiar ones include the ea-6b and ea-18g, which are carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft of the us navy. the us air force previously served with the ef-111a "raven", which are all tactical electronic warfare aircraft. the ea-37b will replace the ec-130h electronic warfare aircraft modified from the c-130 transport aircraft. compared with tactical electronic warfare aircraft, this type of electronic warfare aircraft has a larger internal space, can accommodate more complex and more powerful radar and electronic equipment, and has more operators, with more than 10 crew members.
therefore, its mission is also different, focusing on a wider range of electronic suppression, monitoring, and cyber attack missions. according to the official introduction of the u.s. air force, it has the ability to deny or disrupt the radio communication systems and sensors of combat opponents, and its combat targets are enemy air defense systems, voice/data communication links, low-frequency early warning and target search air defense radars, and radio frequency trigger signals of improvised explosive devices. in fact, a commander of the u.s. air force previously introduced that the previous generation of ec-130h was able to wirelessly invade enemy networks and electronic equipment, even if the enemy was not connected to the internet. this is a bit incredible that it can invade devices that are not connected to the internet, but if it is true, then the ea-37b will only be stronger.
the ec-130h is really old. it entered service in 1982 and currently has 18 aircraft. the ec-130h played an important role in the gulf war and the kosovo war. the us military used it to conduct electronic interference over hundreds of kilometers, and then used f-15, f-16 and other fighters to bomb and destroy enemy radars and communication equipment. the us military is very familiar with the routine of opening the way with electronic warfare.
in comparison, the ea-37b is much stronger. first of all, its fuselage is the gulfstream g550 small jet business airliner, which has a speed, altitude and range far exceeding the c-130, so it has stronger survivability. however, it cannot carry anti-radiation missiles like tactical electronic warfare aircraft, so it also needs the escort of fighter jets. in terms of coordination, it must be better coordinated with fighter jets such as the f-35, f-22, f-15 and f-16.
it is reported that the u.s. air force ea-37b will also be assigned to the 55th electronic combat group, which has two squadrons, the 41st and 43rd. the 43rd squadron is mainly responsible for providing support to the indo-pacific command. the first ea-37b is allocated to the 43rd electronic warfare squadron first, so its targeting is very obvious.
this is also normal. in recent years, the us military in the asia-pacific region can no longer experience the pleasure of using an electronic warfare aircraft to make the opponent's radar full of snow, or making the opponent's radar show hundreds or thousands of fighter jets approaching. if they want to experience this, they have to look for soft targets elsewhere.
kankan news reporter: li suning
editor: li suning
video editor: huang tao
editor: fang liang
