EC-130J
Commando Solo II

Lockheed Martin Logistics Management in Greenville, SC received a $9.4 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to provide production engineering, aircraft modification and data for that modification, and over and above work for EC-130J Super J aircraft number 2. Modification time is 16 months at Lockheed Martin in Greenville, SC.

This will allow the Air Force Special Operations Command’s 193rd Special Operations Wing at Harrisburg International Airport, PA to have a seventh EC-130J Commando Solo III aircraft assigned and modified to conduct Psychological Operations, Combat Delivery or Command and Control missions.

Interior View

The EC-130J Commando Solo III is a specially-modified C-130J Hercules medium transport aircraft that conducts information operations, psychological operations and civil affairs broadcasts in AM, FM, HF, TV and military communications bands. These missions are flown and run by the the 193rd SOW, an Air National Guard Unit. Many modifications have been made to the EC-130J including enhanced navigation systems, self-protection equipment, air refueling and the ability to broadcast radio and color TV on all worldwide standards.

Currently, Initial Operational Capability (IOC) declaration for the EC-130J is planned to occur in Oct 2005. Aircraft number #6 is currently being modified and aircraft number #7 will input to Lockheed Martin in Jan 2006. This work will be complete by September 2006. The Headquarters Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, Ga issued the contract (FA8620-04-C-4016, P00005).

• GlobalSecurity.org: EC-130J

• USAF Fact Sheet: EC-130E/J Commando Solo

Thanks are also due to Damian Housman of Robbin AFB, GA, and Air Force Special Operations Command for their assistance with this post.