Support Equipment

Long Range Broadcast System (LRBS) pod

Also known as
  • LRBS
  • LRBS pod
  • Long Range Broadcast System pod
  • Long-Range Broadcast System
  • Long-Range Broadcast System pod
  • MMP-H LRBS

The 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.

Long Range Broadcast System (LRBS) pod, External broadcast pod used for psychological operations and electronic attack support, Support Equipment
Image source: DVIDS Reattaching an antenna pod to aircraft
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
External broadcast pod used for psychological operations and electronic attack support
Unit cost
$2,000,000

Specifications

Component role
External podded LRBS payload for the EC-130J MMP-H broadcast system
Mission
Military information support operations, civil affairs broadcast, and electronic attack support
Platform compatibility
EC-130J Commando Solo / Super J
Associated broadcast formats
UHF/VHF, AM/FM radio, cellular, and television broadcast
Associated MMP-H standoff range
Up to 175 miles
Programmed quantity
Six pods
Quantity breakdown
Four aircraft, one spare, and one trainer
Unit cost
$2,000,000
Carrier Aircraft

The LRBS pod is mounted on EC-130J Commando Solo aircraft for the broadcast mission.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
EC-130J Commando Solo, Airborne information operations and psychological operations aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsEC-130J Commando SoloBroadcast aircraft

The 2020 Air National Guard modernization book says the EC-130J requires LRBS pods, and Air & Space Forces describes MMP-H as adding external podded LRBS.

Sources: 2020 ANG Mod Book, Air & Space Forces EC-130J

Broadcast System Context

LRBS appears in both a broad SOCOM broadcast-system family and the narrower EC-130J MMP-H external-pod fit. The pod functions as a mission payload that extends an aircraft broadcast system, not as an independently documented combat system.

ContextDocumented detailScope note
SOCOM LRBS familyBudget overview material describes LRBS as a family of broadcast systems for AM, FM, TV, shortwave, UHF/VHF, and cellular MISO broadcasts, including pod-based FM and cellular work.This supports the broadcast-family role and technology lane, not a named conflict-use claim.
EC-130J MMP-H fitAir & Space Forces identifies LRBS as an external podded element of the EC-130J MMP-H digital broadcast system alongside CEASAR and a roll-on internal payload.This is the clearest documented connection between LRBS and the cataloged EC-130J carrier.
193rd SOW antenna pod imageryDVIDS photos show 193rd SOW personnel reattaching an antenna pod to an EC-130J Commando Solo for FM, TV, and military communications-band broadcast missions.The imagery supports pod appearance and broadcast context, while the caption does not identify the pod by LRBS designation.

Sources: FY2016 SOCOM Overview; Air & Space Forces EC-130J; DVIDS Reattaching an antenna pod to aircraft.

Timeline

Long Range Broadcast System (LRBS) pod Key Events

  1. SOCOM LRBS family described

    SOCOM budget overview material described LRBS as a family of broadcast systems for AM, FM, TV, shortwave, UHF/VHF, and cellular MISO broadcasts, including pod-based FM and cellular broadcast technology work.

    Sources: FY2016 SOCOM Overview

  2. EC-130J antenna pod installation photographed

    DVIDS imagery from the 193rd Special Operations Wing documented an antenna pod being reattached to an EC-130J Commando Solo for FM, TV, and military communications-band broadcast missions.

    Sources: DVIDS Reattaching an antenna pod to aircraft

  3. MMP-H modernization starts

    USAF began modernizing the EC-130J fleet with the Multi-Mission Platform-Heavy digital broadcast system in 2018.

    Sources: Air & Space Forces EC-130J

  4. ANG modernization book lists LRBS pod buy

    The Air National Guard modernization book described a six-pod LRBS requirement for the EC-130J force and listed a $2 million unit cost.

    Sources: 2020 ANG Mod Book

  5. Commando Solo final broadcast sortie

    Commando Solo flew its final broadcast sortie in 2022 as EC-130J and Super J aircraft moved toward deconversion or test and training roles.

    Sources: Air & Space Forces EC-130J

Media

Long Range Broadcast System (LRBS) pod Images

Long Range Broadcast System (LRBS) pod, External broadcast pod used for psychological operations and electronic attack support, Support Equipment - view 1
Source: DVIDS Reattaching an antenna pod to aircraft
Long Range Broadcast System (LRBS) pod, External broadcast pod used for psychological operations and electronic attack support, Support Equipment - view 2
Source: DVIDS Reattaching an antenna pod to aircraft
Related Weapon Systems
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.
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.
BM/KG300G electronic countermeasures system, Airborne ECM pod, Electronic WarfareElectronic WarfareBM/KG300G electronic countermeasures systemAirborne ECM podThe BM/KG300G is a Chinese airborne self-protection jamming pod family for external carriage on combat aircraft, with public sources describing I/J-band radar jamming, automatic countermeasure selection, and integration with radar-warning and dispenser subsystems. The baseline pod is associated with CEIEC/CETC and SWIEE/SIWEE reporting, while 2024 coverage showed a smaller rotary-wing form on a Z-10 and compact pods on an FH-95 UAV.
ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System, Tactical jamming pod system, Electronic WarfareElectronic WarfareALQ-99 Tactical Jamming SystemTactical jamming pod systemThe ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System is a U.S. external-carriage airborne electronic attack pod family used to jam radar and communications targets for suppression of enemy air defenses. NAVAIR says it entered service in 1971, served on the EA-6B Prowler before transitioning to the EA-18G Growler in 2010, and remains in use alongside Next Generation Jammer pods, including documented VAQ-133 carriage during 2026 Iran War strike operations.
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.
Advanced Self Protection Jammer, Electronic warfare jammer, Electronic WarfareElectronic WarfareAdvanced Self Protection JammerElectronic warfare jammerThe Advanced Self Protection Jammer is an Indian DRDO airborne electronic-warfare pod associated with the HAL Tejas self-protection fit. Official Indian releases describe it as protecting the aircraft against acquisition radars, fire-control radars, anti-aircraft artillery, and airborne multirole radars, while later procurement approvals extended related external self-protection jammer pods into Su-30MKI electronic-warfare planning.
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.

Sources

2020 ANG Mod BookPublisher: Air National Guard | Note: Supports the EC-130J requirement for LRBS pods and the reported $2,000,000 unit cost. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Air & Space Forces EC-130JPublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports the EC-130J MMP-H modernization timeline, the external podded LRBS role, the supported broadcast formats, the reported standoff range, and the 2022 final broadcast-sortie context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29FY2016 SOCOM OverviewPublisher: Office of the Secretary of Defense, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation | Note: Supports broader LRBS family context, including MISO broadcast formats and pod-based FM and cellular broadcast technology development. | Accessed: 2026-06-29DVIDS Reattaching an antenna pod to aircraftPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the primary antenna-pod photo, plus EC-130J antenna-pod broadcast context for FM, TV, and military communications bands. | Accessed: 2026-06-29DVIDS Reattaching antenna pod image 8Publisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the second gallery antenna-pod photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-29DVIDS Reattaching antenna pod image 9Publisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the third gallery antenna-pod photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-29