May 25, 2017 —
An HC-130J Super Hercules long range surveillance aircraft arrives in Waco, Texas, May 11, 2017, to begin installation of the Minotaur Mission System Suite. The aircraft previously operated out of Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and is the second HC-130J to undergo a mission system retrofit. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Ken Norris.
The second HC-130J Super Hercules long range surveillance aircraft to undergo a mission system retrofit arrived at the L3 Technologies Inc. Integrated Systems Platform Integration Division in Waco, Texas, May 11, 2017.
The aircraft will receive installation of Minotaur mission system architecture that is used on multiple platforms across the departments of Defense and Homeland Security. Missionization with the Minotaur Mission System Suite involves modifying the aircraft to incorporate the radar; sensors; and remaining command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment that allows aircrews to gather and process information for transmission to surface and shore operators.
The aircraft, CGNR 2004, previously operated out of Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Delivery of the aircraft following the retrofit is scheduled for early 2018.
Three aircraft in addition to CGNR 2004 are also undergoing Minotaur missionization in Waco. One is also undergoing a retrofit, with delivery planned for this fall. The other two entered the process in their baseline configuration. Delivery of one is planned for this summer; delivery of the other is planned for 2018.
Five aircraft are operating out of Air Station Elizabeth City using the legacy mission system suite. The HC-130J serving as a Minotaur prototype, CGNR 2003, is scheduled for delivery to the air station later this month.
For more information: HC-130J Long Range Surveillance Aircraft Program page