EC-130J Commando Solo

Service And Conflict Use

1. Jan 1, 1968

   Origin in EC-121 Coronet Solo

   The airborne information-operations mission traces back to the 193rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Group's first EC-121 Coronet Solo aircraft.

   Sources: EC-130J Commando Solo

2. Nov 1, 2003

   First EC-130J Commando Solo III flight

   The first flight of the EC-130J Commando Solo III marked the unit's transition from EC-130E aircraft to the J-model Hercules platform.

   Sources: EC-130J Commando Solo

3. Jan 1, 2004

   Initial operating capability

   The Air Force fact sheet lists 2004 as the EC-130J's initial operating capability.

   Sources: EC-130J Commando Solo

4. Jan 1, 2018

   Multi-Mission Payload-Heavy upgrades begin

   The program began upgrades that added software-defined radio architecture for more flexible broadcast formats and electronic-attack options.

   Sources: EC-130J Commando Solo

EC-130J Commando Solo Images

Related Weapon Systems

Aircraft & 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, and airdrop missions. The Air Force says the aircraft can carry utility helicopters and six-wheeled armored vehicles, airdrop loads up to 42,000 pounds, and remains in production in C-130J form.

Aircraft & UAVsAC-130 gunshipHeavily armed fixed-wing gunshipThe AC-130 gunship is a side-firing U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command attack aircraft family derived from the C-130 Hercules. Modern AC-130U, AC-130W, and AC-130J variants combine sensors, fire-control systems, cannon armament, and precision-guided munitions for close air support, armed reconnaissance, air interdiction, and overwatch, roles documented in Afghanistan during Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Resolute Support, and the Kabul evacuation.

Aircraft & UAVsEA-37B Compass CallElectronic warfare aircraftThe EA-37B Compass Call is the U.S. Air Force's Gulfstream G550-based airborne electronic attack aircraft, built to disrupt communications, radar, and navigation systems. CENTCOM listed it among assets employed in Operation Epic Fury against Iran in 2026, giving the new Compass Call variant a direct United States-Iran Conflict context.

Aircraft & UAVsEC-130H Compass CallAirborne electronic attack aircraftThe EC-130H Compass Call is the U.S. Air Force's legacy airborne electronic-attack aircraft, a modified C-130H used to jam command, control, communications, radar, and navigation systems. In the United States-Iran Conflict, CENTCOM listed the EC-130H among the electronic-warfare aircraft employed in Operation Epic Fury while the fleet was being phased out for the EA-37B.

Aircraft & UAVsBlack Hawk helicopterMedium-lift military utility helicopter familyThe Black Hawk is Sikorsky's twin-engine medium-lift military utility helicopter family, developed from the U.S. Army's 1972 UTTAS requirement and fielded from 1978-79. The family includes the U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search-and-rescue variant, which added rescue-focused mission equipment, aerial refueling, and night and all-weather systems for personnel recovery and medevac work.

Aircraft & UAVsHC-130J Coast GuardLong-range surveillance, search and rescue, and maritime patrol aircraftThe HC-130J Coast Guard is the U.S. Coast Guard's long-range search and rescue and maritime surveillance variant of the C-130J, built by Lockheed Martin. Its mission system adds automatic identification and direction-finding, long-range multi-mode radar, an EO/IR sensor turret, and an open-architecture mission processor for real-time information sharing.

Sources