Iranian attack damages 2 rare U.S. electronic warfare aircraft in Saudi Arabia

English Posted on  —by Carro e motos
Iranian attack damages 2 rare U.S. electronic warfare aircraft in Saudi Arabia
Iranian attack damages 2 rare U.S. electronic warfare aircraft in Saudi Arabia (X @BabakTaghvaee1)

A ballistic missile attack launched by Iran damaged two American EC-130H Compass Call aircraft, specialized in electronic warfare.

The information was revealed based on satellite images of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, indicating that at least one of the aircraft sustained significant damage, requiring extensive repairs.

Considered rare within the U.S. fleet, the EC-130H aircraft were already operating in limited numbers at the time of the attack. The incident may further impact the availability of this type of aircraft, which plays a strategic role in military operations. Additional reports indicate that the same attack may have also destroyed an E-3 Sentry aircraft, injured more than ten personnel, and damaged aerial refueling aircraft.

Based on the C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft, the EC-130H Compass Call is designed for electronic warfare missions, capable of jamming enemy communications and disrupting command and control systems. Introduced during the Cold War, the model has been widely used in conflicts such as the Gulf War and operations in the Middle East and the Balkans.

Despite its historical and operational relevance, the aircraft has been considered obsolete in recent decades. As a result, the United States has begun replacing it with the EC-37B, a more modern version based on a business jet platform, reflecting the evolution of technological demands in the field of electronic warfare.

Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @BabakTaghvaee1 | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team

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