Lockheed EC-130

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"EC-130" redirects here. For the Eurocopter helicopter, see
Friden EC-130
.
EC-130
The EC-130J Commando Solo with its distinctive tail antenna.
Role Airborne Communications Jamming (EC-130H)
Psychological and Information Operations (EC-130J)
Manufacturer Lockheed Aircraft Co.
Lockheed Martin
Introduction 1975
Status Active
Primary user United States Air Force
Number built 14 EC-130H
7 EC-130J
Developed from Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules

The Lockheed Martin EC-130 series comprises several slightly different versions of the

U.S. Navy
.

The EC-130E Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center (ABCCC) was based on a basic C-130E platform and provided tactical airborne command post capabilities to air commanders and ground commanders in low air threat environments. The EC-130E ABCCC aircraft were retired in 2002 and the mission was 'migrated' to the

E-8 JSTARS and E-3 AWACS
fleets.

The EC-130E Commando Solo was an earlier version of a

Enduring Freedom
. The EC-130E was eventually replaced by the EC-130J Commando Solo and retired in 2006.

Based on a C-130H airframe, the

Islamic State.[1]

The EC-130J Commando Solo is a modified

193d Special Operations Wing (193 SOW), a unit of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard operationally gained by the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The 193 SOW is based at the Harrisburg Air National Guard Base (former Olmstead AFB) at Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown, Pennsylvania.[2]

The

E-6 Mercury
.

Design and development

A Pennsylvania ANG EC-130E in 1980.

The EC-130E Commando Solo entered service in 1978 as the EC-130E Coronet Solo with the

193d Special Operations Wing (193 SOW) of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. In the early 1990s the aircraft were upgraded and designated Commando Solo II. The EC-130E variants were replaced with new EC-130J Commando Solo III aircraft built by Lockheed Martin
beginning in 2003.

Highly specialized modifications have been made to the latest version of the EC-130J (Commando Solo III). Included in these mods are enhanced navigation systems, self-protection equipment, and the capability of broadcasting color television on a multitude of worldwide standards throughout the TV VHF/UHF ranges.

Secondary missions include command and control communications countermeasures (C3CM) and limited intelligence gathering. The three variants are EC-130 ABCCC, EC-130E Commando Solo, and the EC-130J Commando Solo. The version currently in service is the EC-130J, as the last EC-130E was retired from service in 2006.

The USAF plans to begin replacing the 15 EC-130H Compass Call aircraft in 2020 with a commercial airframe transplanted with the Compass Call's electronic gear. The EC-X effort plans to deliver 10 new aircraft by 2029.[3]

Operational history

193d Special Operations Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard broadcast television and radio programming from on board an EC-130E aircraft, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
.

Entering service with the

AFSOC
) and has since been designated Commando Solo, with no change in mission.

193rd Special Operations Wing from Harrisburg Air National Guard Base
.

More recently, in 1994, the EC-130E Commando Solo was used to broadcast radio and television messages to the citizens and leaders of Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy. The EC-130s deployed early in the operation, highlighting the importance of PSYOP in avoiding military and civilian casualties. President Aristide was featured on the broadcasts which contributed significantly to the orderly transition from military rule to democracy.

The aircraft was also deployed during the 2010 Haiti earthquake, broadcasting a recording from Raymond Joseph (Haiti's ambassador to the United States) warning residents not to attempt to flee to the United States by sea. The aircraft also broadcast announcements of where earthquake victims can go for food and aid, news from Voice of America, and instructions on hygiene procedures to prevent disease.[4]

On the second day of

ham radio operator in the Netherlands.[6]

The EC-130 has been flown in operations against the

Islamic State in Iraq to jam their communications.[3]

Variants

A U.S. Navy TACAMO EC-130Q of VQ-4, in 1984.
EC-130E ABCCC
Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center variant. Retired in 2002. Operated by the 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, later by the 42nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron.[7]
EC-130E Commando Solo
Operated in the airborne radio and television broadcast mission from 1980. Replaced by EC-130J Commando Solo III aircraft in 2004.[2]
EC-130E Rivet Rider
A version of the Commando Solo.[8] Modifications include: VHF and UHF Worldwide format color TV, vertical trailing wire antenna, infra-red countermeasures [chaff/flare dispensers plus infrared jammers], fire suppressant foam in fuel tank, radar warning receiver, self-contained navigation system. The modification added a pair of underwing pylon mounted 23X6 foot equipment pods, along with X-antennae mounted on both sides of the vertical fin.[9]
EC-130G
four U.S. Navy C-130G (USAF C-130E) fitted with VLF transmitters to provide communications with ballistic missile submarines. Operational from December 1963 to August 1993[10]
EC-130J Commando Solo from the 193rd Special Operations Squadron takes flight from Harrisburg Air National Guard Base
EC-130H Compass Call
Electronic Warfare variant. Its system disrupts enemy command and control communications. Employs offensive counterinformation and electronic attack capabilities. Used by the
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.[1]
EC-130J Commando Solo III
A modified
193d Special Operations Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard.[2] Operational from 2003 to Sept. 17, 2022[11]
EC-130Q
U.S. Navy version of the C-130H, fitted with VLF transmitters to provide communications with ballistic missile submarines. 18 were built. Operational from December 1963 to August 1993[10]
EC-130V
USCG for counter-narcotics missions in 1991.[12]
It was used by the U.S. Navy 1992–1994 and then by the USAF as NC-130H.

Aircraft on display

EC-130Q USN BuNo 159348, c/n 4601
Tinker AFB
, Oklahoma by March 1997, same, July 2013.
EC-130E USAF Ser. No. 62-1857
Carolinas Aviation Museum
October 2013.
EC-130E USAF Ser. No. 63-7773 "Triple Cripple"
On static display at Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville PA.

Specifications (EC-130J)

EC-130J Commando Solo III line drawing

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010–11,[13] US Air Force Factsheet[14]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 6+ (Pilot, CoPilot, combat systems officer, mission communications commander; loadmaster, five electronic communications systems operators)
  • Length: 97 ft 9 in (29.79 m)
  • Wingspan: 132 ft 7.2 in (40.416 m)
  • Height: 38 ft 10 in (11.84 m)
  • Wing area: 1,745 sq ft (162.1 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 10.1
  • Airfoil: root: NACA 64A318; tip: NACA 64A412
  • Max takeoff weight: 175,000 lb (79,379 kg)
  • Max landing weight (normal): 130,000 lb (58,967 kg)
  • Max landing weight (overload): 155,000 lb (70,307 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 6,750 US gal (5,620 imp gal; 25,600 L) without suppressant foam ; 6,436 US gal (5,359 imp gal; 24,360 L) with suppressant foam
optionally with 2x 13,790 US gal (11,480 imp gal; 52,200 L) under-wing tanks without suppressant foam ; 2x 1,290 US gal (1,070 imp gal; 4,900 L) under-wing tanks with suppressant foam

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 348 kn (400 mph, 644 km/h) max. at 28,000 ft (8,534 m)
339 kn (390 mph; 628 km/h) econ.
  • Stall speed: 100 kn (120 mph, 190 km/h)
  • Range: 2,300 nmi (2,600 mi, 4,300 km)
  • Service ceiling: 30,560 ft (9,310 m) at 147,000 lb (66,678 kg)
  • Service ceiling one engine inoperative: 22,820 ft (6,956 m)
  • Rate of climb: 2,100 ft/min (11 m/s)
  • Time to altitude: 20,000 ft (6,096 m) in 14 minutes
  • Take-off run: 3,050 ft (930 m)
  • Take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m): 4,700 ft (1,433 m)
  • Take-off run (maximum effort): 1,800 ft (549 m)
  • Landing run: 1,400 ft (427 m) at 130,000 lb (58,967 kg)
  • Landing distance from 50 ft (15 m): 2,550 ft (777 m) at 130,000 lb (58,967 kg)

See also

Related development

Related lists

References

  1. ^ a b "EC-130H Compass Call". Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "EC-130J Commando Solo". U.S. Air Force. United States Air Force. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  3. ^ a b Losey, Stephen (4 May 2017). "A new Compass Call: The Air Force is replacing its Vietnam-era electronic warfare planes". Air Force Times. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Radio station in the sky warns Haitians not to attempt boat voyage". CNN. 19 January 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2010.
  5. ^ "Listen: Secret Libya Psyops, Caught by Online Sleuths". Wired. 20 March 2011.
  6. ^ "Ham operator reveals US 'psyops' broadcast". AFP/News. 21 March 2011.
  7. ^ "LOCKHEED EC-130". Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  8. ^ EC-130E Commando Solo Archived 10 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. military.com
  9. ^ "PSYOP Equipment by FAS". Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  10. ^ a b "OLD_TACAMO". Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  11. ^ "EC-130J Psychological Warfare Aircraft Performs Final Broadcast". 19 September 2022.
  12. ^ "Lockheed EC-130V Hercules." Military Analysis Network, Federation of American Scientists, 10 February 1998. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
  13. ISBN 978-0710629166
    .
  14. ^ "Factsheets: EC-130J Commando Solo". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 12 April 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2009.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lockheed EC-130 Hercules.
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