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

Verified

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 routinely adapts various business jets for diverse specialized missions, leveraging their unique performance profiles like speed, altitude, and economy.
Key roles for these modified platforms include advanced electronic warfare (e.g., Gulfstream G550 as EC-37B Compass Call) and high-altitude communications relay for enhanced interoperability (e.g., Bombardier Global 6000 as E-11 BACN).
Business jets also serve crucial functions such as VIP transport (e.g., Gulfstream C-37A/B), multi-mission utility and medical evacuation (e.g., Beechcraft C-12J Huron), and general passenger and cargo airlift (e.g., Learjet C-21).

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.