Aircraft & UAVs

EC-130J Commando Solo

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

The EC-130J Commando Solo is a Lockheed Martin C-130J-derived U.S. Air Force special-mission aircraft that broadcasts information operations and psychological operations messages across AM, FM, HF, TV, and military communications bands. The 193rd Special Operations Wing operates the aircraft, which adds enhanced navigation, self-protection, air refueling, digital message playback, and live-broadcast capability to the Hercules airframe.

EC-130J Commando Solo, Airborne information operations and psychological operations aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: Wikimedia Commons EC-130J Commando Solo.JPG

Role in Conflicts

Broadcast Mission

The EC-130J was built around airborne information operations: digital and analog radio and television broadcasts from a modified C-130J platform, normally flown to maximize signal propagation while reducing exposure in sensitive or hostile airspace.

Mission crew

Two pilots, flight systems and mission systems officers, two loadmasters, and five electronic communications systems operators.

Broadcast load

Up to 14 simultaneous broadcasts, using common or independent messages across multiple channels.

Live and recorded media

The mission system could play digital media, accept legacy media formats, and conduct live broadcasts.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Airborne information operations and psychological operations aircraft
Service note
2003-present
Unit cost
$110 million
Produced
2003-2006 EC-130J Commando Solo III conversion
Developed from
C-130J Super Hercules

Specifications

Primary function
Psychological operations and information operations
Secondary function
Electronic warfare
Broadcast bands
AM, FM, HF, TV, and military communications bands
Broadcast capacity
Up to 14 simultaneous broadcasts with the same or independent messages
Crew
Pilot, copilot, flight systems officer, mission systems officer, two loadmasters, and five electronic communications systems operators
Range
2,300 nautical miles unrefueled
Ceiling
28,000 feet (8,534 meters)
Speed
335 mph
Maximum takeoff weight
164,000 pounds (74,390 kilograms)
Inventory
Three Commando Solo aircraft listed by the Air Force in March 2021
Variants

The EC-130J family split the 193rd Special Operations Wing fleet between dedicated Commando Solo broadcast aircraft and Super J airframes.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
EC-130J Super JSOF mobility and psychological-operations configuration

Air & Space Forces identifies four Super J aircraft that added secondary low-cost electronic attack and special-operations mobility roles alongside psychological operations.

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

The Multi-Mission Payload-Heavy program moved Commando Solo toward a software-defined broadcast and electronic-attack architecture. Air Force and Air & Space Forces sources describe a mix of roll-on internal equipment, external CEASAR and LRBS pods, wider AM/FM/TV/cellular broadcast formats, and future electronic-attack growth.

Timeline

EC-130J Commando Solo Key Events

  1. 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 (U.S. Air Force)

  2. 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 (U.S. Air Force)

  3. Initial operating capability

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

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

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

Media

EC-130J Commando Solo Images

EC-130J Commando Solo, Airborne information operations and psychological operations aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: Wikimedia Commons 193d Special Operations Squadron EC-130J in SW Asia
EC-130J Commando Solo, Airborne information operations and psychological operations aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - 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