C-130J Program

Mission — C-130J Program source

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 development costs are being shared via a global Project Arrangement (PA) by the United States (USAF, USMC, USCG), Italy, Australia, Denmark, Canada, and Norway. 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 program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, or 0605898F. In FY 2024 $0.000 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $0.000 million is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $1.001 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative.” 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.

Mission — C-130J source

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 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 also provides RDT&E funding and outlined in a cost share agreement for required capabilities that are grouped as "Block" upgrades or "Capability" or "Enhancement and Deficiencies" (EnD) updates. Content/requirements for these efforts is documented in International Program Directives (IPDs) as determined through the Cooperative Systems and Software Upgrade Requirements Management (COSSURM) process or other approved C-130J Joint User Group (JUG) processes. Activities required to complete development and integration of the common-core capabilities for all United States' variants are included in this project. In addition, this project includes early acquisition and engineering studies and initiatives related to the C-130J such as, but not limited to, capability gap resolution, emerging technology assessments, exploration and adaptation, systems integration assessments and technology transition; to include digital transformation. This project also provides RDT&E funding for requirements that are outside of the "Block" upgrades, "Capability" updates, "Enhancement and Deficiencies" (EnD) updates, or COSSURM process. These efforts may include, but are not limited to, communication, data link, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), electronic warfare, formation flight system, digital pathfinder initiatives and mission support system updates. The requirements are identified and concurred between the C-130J Program Office and Air Mobility Command (AMC). Requirements are documented through the C-130J Program Office approval process. This project provides RDT&E funding for studies and risk reduction activities and Program Support Costs (PSC). This project includes RDT&E funding for the following C-130J aircraft variants: C-130J stretch aircraft, C-130J short aircraft, and WC-130J aircraft. This project includes RDT&E funding for Rapid Global Mobility (RGM) platform related activities including, but not limited to, prototyping, capability development, process activities, planning analysis, digital acquisition and systems engineering activities. This requirement supports 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 and 0606398F. In FY 2024 $0.000 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $0.000 million is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element.

Mission — C-130J Prog source

This program includes funding for Communication Modernization (phase 1 and phase 2) which meets Crypto Mandate 1. This effort is for the development and integration of the new radio communication and defensive 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 Communication System (MILSATCOM), JREAP Connectivity via Commercial Pathway, Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Super High Frequency (SHF) modernization including Hybrid SATCOM/Global Lighting or similar technologies, High Frequency (HF) Radio Modernization, 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 and waveforms. These systems will also be integrated into other C-130J capabilities, such as Radio Frequency (RF) components including ALR-69A and DRFM (Digital Radio Frequency Memory Countermeasure). This requirement supports 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 program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, or 0605898F. In FY 2024 $0.000 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $0.079 million is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (7)