The US Coast Guard (USCG) has received its 18th HC-130J aircraft following missionization by L3Harris Integrated Mission Systems in Waco, Texas.
Identified as CGNR 2018, the aircraft was converted from a standard C-130J and fitted with L3Harris’ Minotaur Mission Systems Suite Plus (MSS+), incorporating Coast Guard-specific radar, sensors, and communications to support long-range surveillance operations.
The aircraft will be operated by USCG Air Station Sacramento as part of the service’s ongoing shift from the C-27J fleet to the HC-130J. The delivery is the fourth mission-ready aircraft completed two months ahead of schedule and follows the handover of the 17th HC-130J in January 2025.
At present, HC-130Js are deployed with Coast Guard air stations in Elizabeth City, Kodiak, and Barbers Point. The service plans to field a fleet of 25 HC-130Js to strengthen border security, protect maritime approaches, support commercial traffic, and enable rapid crisis response.
The HC-130J offers a cruise speed of 320 knots, a maximum range of 4,900 nautical miles, and endurance of more than 20 hours. Its MSS+ open-architecture mission system allows surveillance data to be shared in real time with other assets, significantly improving interoperability compared to earlier, platform-specific sensor suites.
