The Coast Guard last week accepted delivery of its eighth C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin [LMT] for use in long-range surveillance missions.
The aircraft will next be outfitted with radars and sensors and other specialized equipment by Lockheed Martin with plans to finish the missionization in early 2016. A seventh C-130J in the Coast Guard’s inventory began the same missionization process in February.
The Coast Guard currently operates six HC-130Js, which are used for search and rescue, drug and migrant interdiction, cargo and personnel transport, and maritime stewardship missions.
In addition to the six in operation and two beginning the missionization process, a ninth aircraft is completing the assembly process at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta facility in Georgia. In addition, two more aircraft are under contract, with deliveries slated for 2016 and 2017, and funding for a 12th plane was included in the FY ’15 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act.
Earlier in March, the Coast Guard issued a Request for Proposals for C-130J missionization to incorporate the next-generation Minotaur Mission System Suite in the long-range surveillance planes. The planned contract would include options for missionization of up to five new C-130Js and retrofit modifications of seven legacy mission system suite aircraft.