June 5, 2026 —
The Coast Guard inducted its 19th C-130J Super Hercules long range surveillance aircraft into the missionization process at L3Harris Integrated Mission Systems in Waco, Texas, on June 3. Following completion of the yearlong integration of the specialized equipment needed for Coast Guard missions, this aircraft will support the transition of Air Station Sacramento, California, from C-27J to HC-130J operations.
Three Coast Guard air stations currently operate HC-130Js: Elizabeth City, North Carolina; Kodiak, Alaska; and Barbers Point, Hawaii. The Coast Guard received $1.142 billion in fiscal year 2025 budget reconciliation funding for the procurement and acquisition of fixed wing aircraft, including HC-130Js. This landmark investment in the Coast Guard will enable the long range surveillance fleet to expand HC-130J operations to two additional air stations, starting with Air Station Sacramento later this year.
The service took delivery of the aircraft, designated as CGNR 2019, from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Marietta, Georgia, on April 10. This is the first C-130J aircraft delivered to the Coast Guard in which a Block 8.1 upgrade – which provides additional capabilities including enhanced approach and landing systems, expanded diagnostics and civil GPS – was installed during baseline production at Lockheed Martin. The aircraft was delivered ahead of its scheduled contract delivery date and within cost parameters.
The Coast Guard Aviation Projects Acquisition Center (APAC) in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, has been conducting warranty and logistics flights with the aircraft in the interim. Missionization integrates a Minotaur Mission System Suite into the aircraft, along with specific sensors and communication systems where are necessary to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities that enable the Coast Guard to save lives; control, secure and defend the U.S. border and maritime approaches; facilitate commerce; and respond to crises or contingencies. L3Harris executes the integration process, working with the APAC Fleet Integration Team to ensure the aircraft is fully prepared for its diverse operational roles. The aircraft is expected to join the Coast Guard fleet as a fully operational HC-130J in mid-2027.
The Coast Guard’s HC-130J fleet is a proven asset that continues to play an important role in the Coast Guard’s mission to deliver value to the nation. These aircraft provide critical heavy air transport and can serve as an on-scene command and control platform or as a surveillance platform with the means to detect, classify and identify objects and share that information with operational forces. Once airborne, it has a cruise speed of 320 knots, a range of 4,900 nautical miles and an endurance of 20+ hours.
Including funds from fiscal year 2025 budget reconciliation, the Coast Guard has received appropriations for a total of 25 HC-130J aircraft, one HC-130J simulator, initial spare parts inventory and site activation for the two additional air stations. This aircraft was not funded by reconciliation but is essential for HC-130J expansion efforts
For more information: HC-130J Long Range Surveillance Aircraft program page