The US Coast Guard (USCG) has received its 18th HC-130J aircraft at L3Harris Integrated Mission Systems in Waco, Texas.
Designated CGNR 2018, the long-range surveillance aircraft was missionized by L3Harris from the baseline C-130J, integrating the Minotaur Mission Systems Suite (MSS+) and USCG-specific multi-mode radar, sensors, and communication systems.
The CGNR 2018 will be operated by the USCG Air Station in Sacramento, California, supporting the air station’s transition from C-27J aircraft to HC-130Js.
Moreover, it is the fourth mission-ready HC-130J delivered two months ahead of schedule, and comes after the service received its 17th aircraft in January 2025.
Currently, HC-130Js are operated by USCG air stations in Elizabeth City, North Carolina; Kodiak, Alaska; and Barbers Point, Hawaii.
HC-130J
The USCG has planned to receive a total of 25 HC-130J aircraft, which will be used to secure US borders and maritime approaches, support the flow of commerce, and respond rapidly to crises and contingencies.
The HC-130J cruises at 320 knots (593 kilometers/368 miles per hour), offers a range of 4,900 nautical miles (9,075 kilometers/5,639 miles), and can remain airborne for more than 20 hours.
Meanwhile, L3Harris integrates MSS+, which is the government’s non-proprietary, open architecture software that enables the aircraft to collect, process, and share surveillance data in flight with other operational units in real time, replacing earlier platform-specific sensor arrangements that limited information sharing.
