Electronic Warfare

Communication EA Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) pod

Also known as

CEASAR
CEASAR pod
Communications Electronic Attack with Surveillance and Reconnaissance

The Communication EA Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) pod is a Raytheon-built U.S. electronic attack and reconnaissance pod that mounts externally on Beechcraft King Air C-12 aircraft to jam communications and support surveillance and reconnaissance. The 2019 Air National Guard modernization book also tied CEASAR to EC-130J Commando Solo MMP-H planning, listing six pods for three aircraft at $1 million each.

Communication EA Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) pod, Electronic attack and reconnaissance pod, Electronic Warfare

Image source: Aviation Stack Exchange CEASAR pod photo

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Raytheon
Type: Electronic attack and reconnaissance pod
Service note: 2010s-present
Designed: 2010
Unit cost: $1,000,000

electronic warfare jamming reconnaissance surveillance sigint

Specifications

Primary role: Communications jamming and reconnaissance
Mounting: Lightweight external pod on C-12-based aircraft
Documented EC-130J planning: Six pods for three Commando Solo aircraft

Carrier Aircraft

CEASAR was mounted externally on the aircraft family that later incorporated it into EC-130J Commando Solo MMP-H planning.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

EC-130J Commando Solo, Airborne information operations and psychological operations aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

EC-130J Commando Solo

Broadcast aircraft

MMP-H added external podded CEASAR, and the 2019 Air National Guard modernization book required six CEASAR pods for the three Commando Solo aircraft.

Sources: The Commando Solo bows out | Aerospace Global News, 2019 ANG Mod Book

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: First awarded in 2010 for airborne electronic attack missions and later cited in EC-130J Commando Solo MMP-H planning.
Used by: United States Army, 193rd Special Operations Wing

Related Weapon Systems

Balzam class (Project 1826) intelligence ship, Intelligence collection ship, Naval Systems

Naval SystemsBalzam class (Project 1826) intelligence shipIntelligence collection shipBalzam class, also reported as Project 1826 Rubidiy and NATO Balzam, is a Soviet intelligence-collection ship class built by Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad for SIGINT and communications interception. Open-source class metadata places it between the earlier Primor'ye surveillance ships and the later Vishnya intelligence ship family, with four hulls completed from 1980 to 1987 and a defensive fit that included Strela-2 launchers and AK-630 close-in weapons.

Aeronautics Aerostar NG, Tactical MALE UAS, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsAeronautics Aerostar NGTactical MALE UASAeronautics Aerostar NG is an Israeli tactical MALE UAS from Aeronautics Defense Systems, built around a modular multi-mission payload bay with ELINT among the listed sensor options. Aeronautics describes the platform as combat-proven, with a 240 kg MTOW, 40 kg payload capacity, more than 12 hours of endurance, and long-range LOS and SATCOM datalink options.

Alpinist class (Project 503R) intelligence ship, Medium intelligence ship, Naval Systems

Naval SystemsAlpinist class (Project 503R) intelligence shipMedium intelligence shipThe Alpinist class (Project 503R) is a Soviet medium intelligence ship class converted from Project 503 refrigerator trawlers for naval intelligence work. RussianShips.info lists four Project 503R hulls built at Volgograd Shipyard and notes intelligence fit items including MRP-25 surface-search radar, MR-212/201 Vaygach-U navigation radar, MG-31 sonar, and special-purpose equipment.

Project 7452 / Project 07452 Chusovoy intelligence ship, Intelligence-gathering ship, Naval Systems

Naval SystemsProject 7452 / Project 07452 Chusovoy intelligence shipIntelligence-gathering shipProject 7452 / Project 07452 Chusovoy is a Soviet-built, heavily modified Sorum-class tug officially classed as a research ship, but used by the Russian Navy as an intelligence-gathering vessel to collect submarine acoustic signatures and monitor Western submarines with specialized fit-out and electronics that made it a rare, purpose-built intelligence platform at sea.

RC-135V/W Rivet Joint, Signals intelligence reconnaissance aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsRC-135V/W Rivet JointSignals intelligence reconnaissance aircraftThe RC-135V/W Rivet Joint is a U.S. signals-intelligence reconnaissance aircraft derived from the C-135 family. The Air Force describes it as a heavily modified platform for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence, and its small active fleet has also supported U.S. operations in the Arabian Gulf.

Shmavik, Multirotor reconnaissance UAV, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsShmavikMultirotor reconnaissance UAVShmavik is a Ukrainian multirotor reconnaissance UAV developed by Reactive Drone during the Russia-Ukraine War as a domestic alternative to the DJI Mavic. The system is configured for front-line surveillance, jamming-resistant communications, and live video transmission for Ukrainian users.

Sources

Raytheon delivers electronic jamming capability for Gray Eagle UASPublisher: Raytheon | Note: Supports manufacturer context, the 2010 award date, the C-12 mounting, the lightweight pod description, and the electronic-jamming role of CEASAR. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 The Commando Solo bows out | Aerospace Global NewsPublisher: Aerospace Global News | Note: Supports the external podded CEASAR carried on EC-130J MMP-H aircraft and the broader Commando Solo retirement context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Aviation Stack Exchange CEASAR pod photoPublisher: Aviation Stack Exchange | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the CEASAR pod photo on Beech A200 Super King Air N46L. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 2019 ANG Mod BookPublisher: Air National Guard | Note: Supports the six-pod requirement for three Commando Solo aircraft and the reported $1,000,000 unit cost for CEASAR. | Accessed: 2026-06-27