The US Coast Guard has taken delivery of its 18th HC-130J long-range surveillance aircraft at L3Harris Integrated Mission Systems’ facility in Waco, Texas.
The aircraft, designated CGNR 2018, was missionized by L3Harris from the baseline C-130J configuration and equipped with the Minotaur Mission Systems Suite Plus (MSS+), along with USCG-specific multi-mode radar, sensors, and communications systems.
CGNR 2018 will be assigned to USCG Air Station Sacramento, California, where it will support the unit’s transition from the C-27J to the HC-130J platform. The delivery marks the fourth mission-ready HC-130J handed over two months ahead of schedule, following the service’s receipt of its 17th aircraft in January 2025.
HC-130J aircraft are currently operated from USCG air stations in Elizabeth City, North Carolina; Kodiak, Alaska; and Barbers Point, Hawaii.
Under its fleet modernization plan, the Coast Guard intends to acquire a total of 25 HC-130Js to safeguard US borders and maritime approaches, facilitate commercial maritime traffic, and provide rapid response to emergencies and contingencies.
The HC-130J cruises at 320 knots and has a range of 4,900 nautical miles, with endurance exceeding 20 hours. Its open-architecture MSS+ enables real-time collection, processing, and sharing of surveillance data with other operational units, replacing legacy, platform-specific sensor systems.
