Compass Call Gulfstream aircraft for Italian Air Force
In July 2025, L3Harris Technologies finalised a USD 300 million contract to convert two Gulfstream G550s into the EA-37B Compass Call II configuration, completing Italy’s initial acquisition plan.
This follows the US State Department’s approval in October 2024 of a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Italy, authorising the purchase of EA-37B electronic attack aircraft and associated equipment at an estimated cost of USD 680 million.
Italy’s procurement is part of the Piattaforma Multi-Missione, Multi-Sensore (P-MMMS/JAMMS, Joint Airborne Multi-Mission Multi-Sensor System) initiative, under which the Aeronautica Militare (AMI, Italian Air Force) is developing a fleet of Gulfstream G550 aircraft configured for a variety of advanced roles, including:
* Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW)
* Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance & Electronic Warfare (AISREW)
* Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA)
The programme began in 2020 with Italy’s announcement of its requirement for two G550-based SIGINT platforms and six additional “green” airframes for future conversion. Two of the initial G550s have already been configured for CAEW and AISREW missions, while six more unmodified aircraft were reserved for later transformation.
Currently, two of those six green G550s are being converted into EA-37B Compass Call II aircraft, with an option for a third.
Regarding the AISREW role, Italy is reportedly seeking two aircraft, likely similar to Australia’s MC-55A Peregrine ISR jets. These aircraft, still undergoing testing, are equipped with electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) systems, radar, and SIGINT sensors, offering multi-domain surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities.
Credit image: L3Harris Technologies