C-130J Program

Abstract

The C-130J is a medium-sized transport aircraft capable of performing a variety of combat delivery (tactical airlift) operations across a broad range of mission environments. The C-130J aircraft, with its extended (by 15 feet) fuselage, provides additional cargo carrying capacity for the USAF combat delivery mission compared with legacy C-130E/H and the C-130J (short). Special mission variants of the C-130J conduct airborne weather reconnaissance (WC-130J), search and rescue (HC-130J), and special operations (MC-130J and AC-130J). All aircraft variants must be capable of worldwide operations. This project provides RDT&E funding for required capabilities that are grouped as "Block" upgrades or "Capability" or "Enhancement and Deficiencies" (EnD) updates. Content/requirements for block modifications is documented in International Program Directives (IPDs) and as determined in the Cooperative Systems and Software Upgrade Requirements Management (COSSURM) prioritized requirements process. This project will integrate the common-core capabilities developed under this program into the C-130J. The C-130J program also includes Communication Modification 1 (Comm Mod 1) and Communication Modification 2 (Comm Mod 2). This effort includes but not limited to development, integration, and test of the new radio and communication systems including but not limited to Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), Second-generation Anti-jam Tactical UHF Radio for NATO (SATURN), Joint Range Extension Application Protocols (JREAP) to modernize Military Satellite Communications), Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and High Frequency (HF) radios, special mission processing, and data link messaging. These systems will provide secure, global Line of Sight (LOS) and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) satellite voice and data connectivity utilizing modern satellite constellations. "C-130J requirements support the performance of a full financial audit as required by title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 9A, Sec 240-D”. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY 2023 $0.000 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2024 $0.000 million is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 0401132F_7_3600_PB_2025
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2025 funding request increased by 15.073 million due initial startup of Comm Mod Phase II efforts.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.
• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.
• Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Space