Five Bizjets That Have Been Successful Military Platforms

Over its 75 years, the Air Force has always converted business jets for its own missions.

Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 06:10 PM ET

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The Air Force has used a variety of business jets to support its operations that include communication, utility, VIP transport, reconnaissance, and more. The U.S. Air Force will use this Gulfstream 550 will new electronic attack aircraft. [Courtesy: Gulfstream]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force consistently adapts business jets for diverse military missions, leveraging their unique performance profiles over 75 years.
These adapted aircraft serve critical specialized roles, including electronic warfare (Gulfstream G550 EC-37B), battlefield communications (Bombardier Global 6000 E-11 BACN), and VIP transport (Gulfstream C-37s).
Other business jet variants perform essential utility tasks such as cargo and passenger airlift, humanitarian assistance, aeromedical evacuations, and pilot training (Beechcraft C-12J Huron, Learjet C-21), often undergoing modernization to meet evolving requirements.

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The U.S. Air Force has always used business jets to support its operation. Throughout its 75 years, the agency has leveraged the unique performance profiles and offerings of these otherwise plush platforms for a dynamic range of missions. Even today, the Air Force continues to tap business OEMs for support. As we commemorate the Air Force’s diamond jubilee, here’s a look at five business jets that the agency has used to support its work:

1. Gulfstream G550: EC-37B Compass Call

The EC-37B tactical jammer is slated to replace the C-130-based EC-130H Compass Call. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

You might do a double take when you see the Air Force’s next-generation electronic warfare jet, the EC-37B Compass Call. It is designed to replace the EC-130H, a variant of the Lockheed C-130 that the Air Force has used since 1982. In 2017, the Air Force announced it would partner with L3 Technologies to turn a Gulfstream G550 business jet into its new electronic attack aircraft. Like its predecessor, it would be equipped with systems capable of disrupting adversary command systems and doing things like counter-information operations.