Lockheed to deliver three additional HC-130J aircraft to USCG

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin to provide additional HC-130J Super Hercules long-range surveillance aircraft.

Under the $218m contract, Lockheed will deliver three additional HC-130J aircraft for deployment alongside six operational aircraft belonging to the same class in addition to providing two mission suites for supporting search and rescue operations for the service.

Lockheed Martin Air Mobility vice president Jack Crisler said, "The C-130J is without equal in terms of its multi-role, multi-mission flexibility and availability."

The HC-130J aircraft has been designed to provide long-range maritime patrol capability unlike a medium range surveillance aircraft or cutters that cannot be patrolled efficiently in some areas.

"No aircraft in production — or in development — can match the capabilities of the Super Hercules," Crisler added.

The aircraft will also be used to conduct heavy air transport of maritime safety and security teams, port security units, and National Strike Force personnel and equipment.

Integrated with two mission system operator station, the HC-130J features a belly-mounted 360-degree long-range search radar, nose-mounted forward looking infrared radar and an advanced mission communications suite.

Additional capabilities to be provided by the aircraft include enhanced search, detection and tracking.

The coast guard is expected to receive the new aircraft in early 2015.