Aeronaves y UAV

EC-130J Commando Solo

Also known as
  • EC-130J
  • Commando Solo
  • Commando Solo III
  • EC-130J Commando Solo III

El EC-130J Commando Solo es una aeronave de misión especial de la U.S. Air Force derivada del Lockheed Martin C-130J que transmite mensajes de operaciones de información y operaciones psicológicas en bandas AM, FM, HF, TV y de comunicaciones militares. El 193rd Special Operations Wing opera la aeronave, que añade navegación mejorada, autoprotección, reabastecimiento en vuelo, reproducción digital de mensajes y capacidad de transmisión en directo a la célula Hercules.

EC-130J Commando Solo, Aeronave aerotransportada de operaciones de información y operaciones psicológicas, Aeronaves y UAV
Image source: Wikimedia Commons EC-130J Commando Solo.JPG

Role in Conflicts

Broadcast Mission

El EC-130J fue construido en torno a operaciones de información aerotransportadas: transmisiones digitales y analógicas de radio y televisión desde una plataforma C-130J modificada, normalmente volada para maximizar la propagación de la señal y reducir a la vez la exposición en espacio aéreo sensible u hostil.

Tripulación de misión

Dos pilotos, oficiales de sistemas de vuelo y de sistemas de misión, dos jefes de carga y cinco operadores de sistemas de comunicaciones electrónicas.

Carga de transmisión

Hasta 14 transmisiones simultáneas, usando mensajes comunes o independientes en varios canales.

Medios en directo y grabados

El sistema de misión podía reproducir medios digitales, aceptar formatos de medios heredados y realizar transmisiones en directo.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Estados Unidos
Type
Aeronave aerotransportada de operaciones de información y operaciones psicológicas
Service note
2003-presente
Unit cost
$110 millones
Produced
Conversión EC-130J Commando Solo III de 2003-2006
Developed from
C-130J Super Hercules

Specifications

Función principal
Operaciones psicológicas y operaciones de información
Función secundaria
Guerra electrónica
Bandas de transmisión
Bandas AM, FM, HF, TV y de comunicaciones militares
Capacidad de transmisión
Hasta 14 transmisiones simultáneas con los mismos mensajes o mensajes independientes
Tripulación
Piloto, copiloto, oficial de sistemas de vuelo, oficial de sistemas de misión, dos jefes de carga y cinco operadores de sistemas de comunicaciones electrónicas
Alcance
2.300 millas náuticas sin reabastecimiento
Techo
28.000 pies (8.534 metros)
Velocidad
335 mph
Peso máximo al despegue
164.000 libras (74.390 kilogramos)
Inventario
Tres aeronaves Commando Solo enumeradas por la Air Force en marzo de 2021
Variants

La familia EC-130J dividió la flota del 193rd Special Operations Wing entre aeronaves Commando Solo dedicadas a transmisiones y células Super J.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
EC-130J Super JConfiguración de movilidad SOF y operaciones psicológicas

Air & Space Forces identifica cuatro aeronaves Super J que añadieron funciones secundarias de ataque electrónico de bajo costo y movilidad de operaciones especiales junto con operaciones psicológicas.

Sources: EC-130J Commando Solo/Super J | Air & Space Forces Magazine

Carried Payloads

The Multi-Mission Payload-Heavy upgrade paired the EC-130J with podded and roll-on mission payloads for broadcast and electronic-attack work.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
Communication EA Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) pod, Airborne electronic attack and reconnaissance pod, Electronic WarfareCommunication EA Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) podElectronic attack and reconnaissance pod

MMP-H added an external podded CEASAR payload, and the 2019 Air National Guard modernization book tied six CEASAR pods to three Commando Solo aircraft.

Sources: The Commando Solo bows out | Aerospace Global News, EC-130J Commando Solo/Super J | Air & Space Forces Magazine, 2019 ANG Mod Book

Long Range Broadcast System (LRBS) pod, External broadcast pod used for psychological operations and electronic attack support, Support EquipmentLong Range Broadcast System (LRBS) podBroadcast pod

Air & Space Forces describes LRBS as an external podded MMP-H payload, and the 2020 Air National Guard modernization book listed LRBS pods as an EC-130J requirement.

Sources: 2020 ANG Mod Book, EC-130J Commando Solo/Super J | Air & Space Forces Magazine

Self-Protection Systems

Self-protection equipment was part of the EC-130J modification package for politically sensitive and hostile operating areas.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM), Infrared countermeasure defensive suite, Support EquipmentLarge Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM)Infrared countermeasure suite

Air & Space Forces says the EC-130J carried LAIRCM as enhanced self-protection against MANPADS threats.

Sources: EC-130J Commando Solo/Super J | Air & Space Forces Magazine

MMP-H Modernization

El programa Multi-Mission Payload-Heavy desplazó el Commando Solo hacia una arquitectura de transmisión y ataque electrónico definida por software. Fuentes de la Air Force y Air & Space Forces describen una combinación de equipos internos roll-on, pods externos CEASAR y LRBS, formatos más amplios de transmisión AM/FM/TV/celular y crecimiento futuro de ataque electrónico.

Timeline

EC-130J Commando Solo Key Events

  1. Origen en el EC-121 Coronet Solo

    La misión aerotransportada de operaciones de información se remonta a las primeras aeronaves EC-121 Coronet Solo del 193rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Group.

    Sources: EC-130J Commando Solo (U.S. Air Force)

  2. Primer vuelo del EC-130J Commando Solo III

    El primer vuelo del EC-130J Commando Solo III marcó la transición de la unidad desde aeronaves EC-130E a la plataforma Hercules modelo J.

    Sources: EC-130J Commando Solo (U.S. Air Force)

  3. Capacidad operativa inicial

    La hoja informativa de la Air Force enumera 2004 como el año de la capacidad operativa inicial del EC-130J.

    Sources: EC-130J Commando Solo (U.S. Air Force)

  4. Comienzan las mejoras Multi-Mission Payload-Heavy

    El programa inició mejoras que añadieron una arquitectura de radio definida por software para formatos de transmisión y opciones de ataque electrónico más flexibles.

    Sources: EC-130J Commando Solo (U.S. Air Force), EC-130J Commando Solo/Super J | Air & Space Forces Magazine

Media

EC-130J Commando Solo Images

EC-130J Commando Solo, Aeronave aerotransportada de operaciones de información y operaciones psicológicas, Aeronaves y UAV - view 1
Source: Wikimedia Commons 193d Special Operations Squadron EC-130J in SW Asia
EC-130J Commando Solo, Aeronave aerotransportada de operaciones de información y operaciones psicológicas, Aeronaves y UAV - view 2
Source: Wikimedia Commons Interior of an EC-130J Commando Solo Mar 2003
Related Weapon Systems
Long Range Broadcast System (LRBS) pod, External broadcast pod used for psychological operations and electronic attack support, Support EquipmentSupport EquipmentLong Range Broadcast System (LRBS) podExternal broadcast pod used for psychological operations and electronic attack supportThe Long Range Broadcast System (LRBS) pod is a U.S. external broadcast pod associated with EC-130J Commando Solo and Super J Multi-Mission Platform-Heavy modernization. LRBS fits within the broader military information support operations broadcast family, while the EC-130J configuration paired the external podded payload with a roll-on internal system, CEASAR, and software-defined broadcast and electronic-attack capability.
EC-130H Compass Call, Airborne electronic attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsEC-130H Compass CallAirborne electronic attack aircraftThe EC-130H Compass Call is the U.S. Air Force's legacy airborne electronic-attack aircraft, a heavily modified C-130H that denies, degrades, and disrupts adversary command-and-control communications, radars, and navigation systems. Its mission crew operates permanently installed electronic-attack equipment for U.S. and coalition air, surface, maritime, and special-operations support, while the EC-130H fleet transitions to the EA-37B Compass Call successor.
HC-130J Combat King II, Fixed-wing personnel recovery and helicopter air-to-air refueling aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsHC-130J Combat King IIFixed-wing personnel recovery and helicopter air-to-air refueling aircraftThe HC-130J Combat King II is Lockheed Martin's C-130J-derived U.S. Air Force rescue and helicopter-refueling aircraft. Developed under the HC/MC-130 recapitalization program, it replaced the HC-130P/N King as the service's only dedicated fixed-wing personnel recovery platform, with night-vision-compatible systems, defensive aids, forward-looking infrared, radar and missile-warning receivers, UARRSI aerial-refueling reception, and mission communications for combat search-and-rescue, disaster response, emergency aeromedical evacuation, airdrop, airland, and forward-area refueling work.
C-130 Hercules, Tactical airlift transport aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsC-130 HerculesTactical airlift transport aircraftThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a U.S. tactical airlift family built by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for rough-strip operations, oversized cargo, airdrop, and theater logistics. Direct sources document Hercules transport use from Vietnam and Desert Storm through Afghanistan, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Mosul campaign, while the broader family includes gunship, tanker, rescue, special-operations, and electronic-warfare derivatives.
Communication EA Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) pod, Airborne electronic attack and reconnaissance pod, Electronic WarfareElectronic WarfareCommunication EA Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) podAirborne electronic attack and reconnaissance podThe Communication EA Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) pod is a Raytheon-built U.S. airborne electronic-attack payload developed for C-12/King Air aircraft to provide beyond-line-of-sight communications jamming for ground forces. It deployed with Task Force CEASAR in Afghanistan, later fed the NERO Gray Eagle UAS adaptation, and appeared in Air National Guard planning for EC-130J Commando Solo Multi-Mission Payload-Heavy aircraft.
KC-130J Hercules, Marine Corps tanker-transport aircraft with former Harvest HAWK armed mission kit, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsKC-130J HerculesMarine Corps tanker-transport aircraft with former Harvest HAWK armed mission kitThe KC-130J Hercules is the U.S. Marine Corps' Lockheed Martin-built C-130J tanker-transport variant for tactical refueling, assault support, airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and related battlefield support. Its former Harvest HAWK mission kit turned selected aircraft into armed overwatch platforms with sensors and AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-176 Griffin missiles, a configuration documented in Afghanistan combat use and later retired as Marine Corps requirements shifted.

Sources

EC-130J Commando Solo (U.S. Air Force)Publisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: Supports the EC-130J Commando Solo mission, specifications, initial operating capability, and direct conflict use: fielded by the 193rd Special Operations Wing in the 2001 War in Afghanistan through Operation Enduring Freedom and Resolute Support/Freedom's Sentinel deployments; fielded by the United States in the 2003 Iraq War through Operation Iraqi Freedom deployments; fielded by the NATO-led coalition in the 2011 First Libyan Civil War through Odyssey Dawn/Unified Protector deployments; and fielded by anti-ISIS coalition forces in 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve deployments. | Accessed: 2026-07-04EC-130J Commando Solo (Lockheed Martin)Publisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the EC-130J product background, manufacturer context, mission description, operating unit, and the published speed, range, ceiling, crew, and maximum takeoff weight figures. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Inside Commando SoloPublisher: The Aviationist | Note: Supports background context for the EC-130J Commando Solo's PSYOPS role and direct conflict use by the NATO-led coalition in the 2011 First Libyan Civil War through coalition broadcast activity. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Precision and Purpose: Airpower in the Libyan Civil WarPublisher: RAND Corporation | Note: Supports EC-130J Commando Solo information-operations broadcasts during Operations Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector in the 2011 First Libyan Civil War. | Accessed: 2026-07-04193rd SOW Airmen to return from deploymentPublisher: 193rd Special Operations Wing | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: Supports direct conflict use by anti-ISIS coalition forces in 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve, documenting 193rd Special Operations Wing airmen deployed to support the EC-130J Commando Solo mission. | Accessed: 2026-07-04The 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: 2026-07-042020 ANG Mod BookPublisher: Air National Guard | Note: Supports the EC-130J requirement for LRBS pods and the reported $2,000,000 unit cost. | Accessed: 2026-07-04EC-130J Commando Solo/Super J | Air & Space Forces MagazinePublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports EC-130J Commando Solo and Super J variants, MMP-H modernization, CEASAR and LRBS podded payloads, broadcast and electronic-attack roles, and LAIRCM self-protection against MANPADS threats. | Accessed: 2026-07-042019 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: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons EC-130J Commando Solo.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the primary EC-130J Commando Solo image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons 193d Special Operations Squadron EC-130J in SW AsiaPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the Southwest Asia gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons Interior of an EC-130J Commando Solo Mar 2003Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the interior gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04