Aircraft & UAVs

HC-130J Coast Guard

Also known as
  • HC-130J
  • HC-130J Super Hercules
  • HC-130J Long Range Surveillance Aircraft

The HC-130J Coast Guard is the U.S. Coast Guard's long-range surveillance and search-and-rescue C-130J variant, built by Lockheed Martin. It pairs the Super Hercules airframe with the Minotaur mission system, maritime radar, EO/IR sensors, and Coast Guard command-and-control communications for remote patrol and rescue work.

HC-130J Coast Guard, Long-range surveillance, search and rescue, and maritime patrol aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: Wikimedia Commons USCG C-130H and HC-130J inflight.jpg

Role in Conflicts

Fleet Snapshot

The HC-130J is a missionized Coast Guard C-130J: a long-range platform tuned for maritime patrol, rescue coordination, law enforcement, and sustained over-water search work.

FactDetail
Baseline airframeC-130 Hercules, Tactical airlift transport aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsC-130 Hercules / C-130J Super Hercules family
Mission fitMinotaur mission system, Coast Guard-specific radar, EO/IR sensors, communications, Rescue 21 integration, and command-and-control tools
Funded fleetAppropriations for 25 fully missionized HC-130J aircraft to replace legacy HC-130H capability
Current milestoneCGNR 2019, the 19th aircraft, was accepted in April 2026 and entered Minotaur missionization at L3Harris Waco on June 3, 2026
Documented Operations Context

The HC-130J evidence found for this page points to Coast Guard operational missions rather than a named armed conflict. Official releases document maritime-domain awareness, fisheries-enforcement patrols, and counter-narcotics logistics support.

Operation Frontier Sentinel

Kodiak-based HC-130J aircraft observed or supported responses to Russian, Chinese, and Chinese research vessels near Alaska and in the Bering Sea.

Operation Nasse

A Barbers Point HC-130J crew patrolled South Pacific high seas as part of an illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing enforcement operation.

Counter-narcotics support

A Coast Guard HC-130J airlifted a replacement over-the-horizon boat to Panama during a Joint Interagency Task Force South counter-narcotics patrol.

Sources: U.S. Coast Guard encounters joint Chinese Coast Guard, Russian Border Guard patrol; U.S. Coast Guard completes Operation Nasse in Pacific region; U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Resolute returns home, offloads approximately $93.2 million.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Long-range surveillance, search and rescue, and maritime patrol aircraft
Unit cost
Just under $75.3 million for the 17th baseline C-130J accepted in 2023 before missionization
Produced
2003-present
Number built
18 operational HC-130Js; 19th aircraft in Minotaur missionization; appropriations provided for 25 fully missionized aircraft
Developed from
C-130J Super Hercules

Specifications

Service ceiling
33,000 feet
Range
5,000 miles / 4,900 nautical miles
Endurance
More than 20 hours
Cruising speed
374 mph / 320 knots true airspeed
Length
97 ft. 9 in. in Coast Guard program data; Lockheed Martin product page lists 99 ft. 7 in.
Wingspan
132 ft. 7 in.
Height
38 ft. 11 in.
Gross weight
175,000 lbs.
Mission system
Minotaur mission system suite with Rescue 21 integration, C5ISR equipment, automatic identification and direction-finding, Coast Guard-specific multi-mode radar, advanced EO/IR sensor turret, open-architecture mission processor, and communications suite
Variants

The Coast Guard HC-130J is a missionized C-130J Super Hercules derivative for long-range surveillance and maritime patrol. It is separate from the Air Force HC-130J Combat King II combat-rescue variant and replaces legacy Coast Guard HC-130H capability.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
C-130 Hercules, Tactical airlift transport aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsC-130J Super HerculesBaseline Super Hercules family

The Coast Guard accepts new C-130J aircraft from Lockheed Martin before Minotaur missionization turns them into fully operational HC-130Js.

Sources: Coast Guard takes delivery of 19th HC-130J long range surveillance aircraft

HC-130J Combat King II, Fixed-wing personnel recovery and helicopter air-to-air refueling aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsHC-130J Combat King IIAir Force combat-rescue variant

The Combat King II is a different HC-130J variant; the Coast Guard configuration is built for maritime patrol, search and rescue, law enforcement, and command-and-control missions.

Sources: HC-130J Coast Guard (Lockheed Martin)

HC-130HLegacy Coast Guard long-range surveillance aircraft

The Coast Guard program describes the fully missionized HC-130J fleet as replacing legacy HC-130H capability.

Sources: HC-130J Long Range Surveillance Aircraft

Installed Mission Systems

The HC-130J missionization package combines the Minotaur mission system with a Coast Guard-specific multi-mode radar and other sensor and communications equipment.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
Coast Guard-specific multi-mode radar, Multi-mode surveillance radar, Support EquipmentCoast Guard-specific multi-mode radarAN/APY-11 multimode radar

The Coast Guard's program and delivery pages tie this AN/APY-11 radar to Minotaur missionization on the aircraft.

Sources: HC-130J Long Range Surveillance Aircraft, Coast Guard takes delivery of 18th mission-ready HC-130J surveillance aircraft

Minotaur Mission System Suite, Mission management and sensor-fusion suite, Support EquipmentMinotaur Mission System SuiteMission system suite

The Coast Guard's HC-130J program page says the aircraft is outfitted with the Minotaur Mission System Suite for long-range surveillance and rescue work.

Sources: HC-130J Long Range Surveillance Aircraft, Minotaur Mission System

EO/IR Pod, Electro-optical/infrared airborne sensor pod, Support EquipmentEO/IR PodNose-mounted EO/IR pod

The Coast Guard's HC-130J datasheet says the mission system suite includes a nose-mounted EO/IR pod.

Sources: HC-130J Super Hercules | USCG

Timeline

HC-130J Coast Guard Key Events

  1. First Coast Guard delivery

    Lockheed Martin formally delivered the first HC-130J airlifters for Coast Guard maritime and homeland security missions.

    Sources: Lockheed Martin Formally Delivers Coast Guard HC-130J Airlifters for Maritime And Homeland Security Missions

  2. First Block 8.1 upgrade delivered

    Lockheed Martin delivered the first HC-130J upgraded to Block 8.1, starting the Coast Guard's newer Minotaur missionization path.

    Sources: Lockheed Martin Delivers First Block 8.1 Upgrade HC-130J to U.S. Coast Guard

  3. 17th aircraft accepted ahead of schedule

    The Coast Guard accepted its 17th HC-130J in baseline configuration ahead of schedule and below budget, with missionization to follow in Waco, Texas.

    Sources: Coast Guard accepts 17th C-130J long range surveillance aircraft

  4. 18th mission-ready aircraft delivered

    The Coast Guard said final delivery activities were underway for its 18th fully missionized HC-130J long range surveillance aircraft, CGNR 2018, to support the transition of Air Station Sacramento.

    Sources: Coast Guard takes delivery of 18th mission-ready HC-130J surveillance aircraft

  5. 19th C-130J accepted

    The Coast Guard accepted CGNR 2019, its 19th C-130J long range surveillance aircraft, from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Marietta, Georgia.

    Sources: Coast Guard takes delivery of 19th HC-130J long range surveillance aircraft

  6. CGNR 2019 enters missionization

    The Coast Guard inducted CGNR 2019 into Minotaur missionization at L3Harris Integrated Mission Systems in Waco, Texas, with completion expected after about a year of integration work.

    Sources: Coast Guard starts missionization of 19th C-130J long range surveillance aircraft

Media

HC-130J Coast Guard Videos

HC-130J Coast Guard Images

HC-130J Coast Guard, Long-range surveillance, search and rescue, and maritime patrol aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: Wikimedia Commons USCG C-130J.jpg
Related Weapon Systems
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.
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.
EC-130J Commando Solo, Airborne information operations and psychological operations aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsEC-130J Commando SoloAirborne information operations and psychological operations aircraftThe 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.
EO/IR Pod, Electro-optical/infrared airborne sensor pod, Support EquipmentSupport EquipmentEO/IR PodElectro-optical/infrared airborne sensor podEO/IR Pod is a support-equipment entry for airborne electro-optical and infrared sensor pods used to find, track, and designate targets from aircraft and UAVs. The page centers on source-backed examples: Canadian WESCAM sensors assessed on Turkish UAVs in Nagorno-Karabakh, Libya, and Syria; Aero's L-39 Skyfox mission fit showing an EO/IR pod; and the U.S. Coast Guard HC-130J's nose-mounted EO/IR pod. Because carrier publications often name the function rather than a specific model, the relationship notes separate identified WESCAM MX-series evidence from generic EO/IR-pod references.

Sources

HC-130J Coast Guard (Lockheed Martin)Publisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the HC-130J product background, manufacturer context, mission-system description, and published range, speed, ceiling, length, wingspan, and gross weight figures. | Accessed: 2026-06-23Lockheed Martin Formally Delivers Coast Guard HC-130J Airlifters for Maritime And Homeland Security MissionsPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the first Coast Guard delivery date and the HC-130J's early maritime-security program background. | Accessed: 2026-06-26Lockheed Martin Delivers First Block 8.1 Upgrade HC-130J to U.S. Coast GuardPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the first Block 8.1 missionization delivery and the Minotaur/radar upgrade path for later HC-130J aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Coast Guard accepts 17th C-130J long range surveillance aircraftPublisher: U.S. Coast Guard | Note: Supports the reported aircraft cost, baseline delivery status, and the missionization pipeline for later Coast Guard HC-130Js. | Accessed: 2026-06-26Coast Guard takes delivery of 18th mission-ready HC-130J surveillance aircraftPublisher: U.S. Coast Guard | Note: Supports 2015 Various Conflicts holding-bucket operational use context: the HC-130J is in service with the U.S. Coast Guard for long-range surveillance, search and rescue, maritime patrol, law enforcement, and command-and-control missions. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons USCG C-130H and HC-130J inflight.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the primary HC-130J image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23Wikimedia Commons USCG C-130J.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the gallery HC-130J image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23HC-130J Long Range Surveillance AircraftPublisher: U.S. Coast Guard | Note: Supports the current Coast Guard program profile, operating bases, 18-aircraft operational fleet, CGNR 2019 missionization status, 25-aircraft appropriations context, and background context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Minotaur Mission SystemPublisher: U.S. Coast Guard | Note: Supports the HC-130J Minotaur mission-system fit and the Coast Guard's open-architecture mission-system context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Minotaur Mission System Fact SheetPublisher: U.S. Coast Guard | Note: Supports the HC-130J Minotaur integration context and the Coast Guard surveillance-system description. | Accessed: 2026-06-27HC-130J Super Hercules | USCGPublisher: U.S. Coast Guard | Note: Supports the HC-130J datasheet description that names the nose-mounted EO/IR pod in the mission system suite. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Coast Guard takes delivery of 19th HC-130J long range surveillance aircraftPublisher: U.S. Coast Guard | Note: Supports the April 10, 2026 acceptance of CGNR 2019 from Lockheed Martin, the 19th Coast Guard C-130J long-range surveillance aircraft, and the aircraft's planned missionization path. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Coast Guard starts missionization of 19th C-130J long range surveillance aircraftPublisher: U.S. Coast Guard | Note: Supports CGNR 2019 entering Minotaur missionization at L3Harris Waco on June 3, 2026, and the Block 8.1 context for the 19th aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-04U.S. Coast Guard completes Operation Nasse in Pacific regionPublisher: U.S. Coast Guard | Note: Supports 2015 Various Conflicts holding-bucket operational use context: a Coast Guard HC-130J crew deployed by Air Station Barbers Point patrolled South Pacific high seas during Operation Nasse. | Accessed: 2026-07-04U.S. Coast Guard encounters joint Chinese Coast Guard, Russian Border Guard patrolPublisher: U.S. Coast Guard | Note: Supports 2015 Various Conflicts holding-bucket operational use context: a Coast Guard HC-130J Super Hercules from Air Station Kodiak observed Russian Border Guard and Chinese Coast Guard ships in the Bering Sea during Operation Frontier Sentinel. | Accessed: 2026-07-04U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Resolute returns home, offloads approximately $93.2 millionPublisher: U.S. Southern Command | Note: Supports 2015 Various Conflicts holding-bucket operational use context: a Coast Guard HC-130J airlifted a replacement over-the-horizon boat to Panama City during a Joint Interagency Task Force South counter-narcotics patrol. | Accessed: 2026-07-04