Lockheed 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	1995
Status	Active
Primary users	United States Air Force Air National Guard
Number built	14 EC-130H 7 EC-130J
Unit cost	US$90 million
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 Lockheed C-130 Hercules that have been and continue to be operated by the U.S. Air Force and, until the 1990s, 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 U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard psychological operations (PSYOPS) aircraft and this aircraft also employed a C-130E airframe, but was modified by using the mission electronic equipment from the retired EC-121S Coronet Solo aircraft. This airframe served during the first Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm), Operation Uphold Democracy, the second Gulf War (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and in Operation 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 EC-130H Compass Call is an airborne communications jamming platform operated by the Air Combat Command's (ACC) 55th Electronic Combat Group (55 ECG) at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. The EC-130 Compass Call aircraft attempts to disrupt enemy command and control communications and limits adversary coordination essential for enemy force management. The Compass Call system employs offensive counterinformation and electronic attack capabilities in support of U.S. and Coalition tactical air, surface, and special operations forces. The EC-130H was used extensively in the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom, disrupting Iraqi communications at both the strategic and tactical levels. It has also been used in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The EC-130J Commando Solo is a modified C-130J Hercules used to conduct psychological operations (PSYOP) and civil affairs broadcast missions in the standard AM, FM, HF, TV and military communications bands. Missions are flown at the maximum altitudes possible to ensure optimum propagation patterns. The EC-130J flies during either day or night scenarios with equal success, and is air-refuelable. A typical mission consists of a single-ship orbit which is offset from the desired target audience. The targets may be either military or civilian personnel. The Commando Solo is operated exclusively by the Air National Guard, specifically the 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 AOW is based at the Harrisburg Air National Guard Base (former Olmstead AFB) at Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown, Pennsylvania.

The U.S. Navy's EC-130Q Hercules TACAMO ("Take Charge and Move Out") aircraft was a land-based naval aviation platform that served as a SIOP strategic communications link aircraft for the U.S. Navy's Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) submarine force and as a backup communications link for the USAF manned strategic bomber and intercontinental ballistic missile forces. To ensure survivability, TACAMO operated as a solo platform, well away from and not interacting with other major naval forces such as sea-based aircraft carrier strike groups and their carrier air wings or land-based maritime patrol aircraft Operated by Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron THREE (VQ-3) and Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron FOUR (VQ-4), the EC-130Q was eventually replaced by the U.S. Navy's current TACAMO platform, the Boeing 707-based 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 Tactical Air Command (TAC). In 1983 the Coronet Solo's mission was transferred to the Military Airlift Command (MAC) and redesignated the EC-130E Volant Solo. With the formation of Air Force Special Operations Command, the mission was transferred to AFSOC and redesignated Commando Solo. Operations were consolidated under a single-AFSOC gained unit, 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.

Operational history

U.S. Military personnel assigned to the 4th Psychological Operations Group, 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.

The EC-130 was originally modified by using the mission electronic equipment from the EC-121S Coronet Solo. Soon after the 193rd SOG received its EC-130s, the unit participated in the rescue of US citizens in Operation Urgent Fury, acting as an airborne radio station informing those people on Grenada of the US military action. In 1989, Commando Solo was instrumental in the success of coordinated psychological operations in Operation Just Cause, again broadcasting continuously throughout the initial phases of the operation to help end the Manuel Noriega regime. In 1990 the EC-130 joined the newly formed Air Force Special Operations Command and has since been designated Commando Solo, with no change in mission.

More recently, in 1994, Commando Solo was utilized 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.^[1]

On the second day of Operation Odyssey Dawn, an EC-130J warned Libyan shipping "Libyan ships or vessels do not leave port, the Gaddafi regime forces are violating a United Nations resolution ordering the end to the hostilities in your country. If you attempt to leave port, you will be attacked and destroyed immediately. For your own safety do not leave port."^[2] The unencrypted message in Arabic, French and English was recorded by a ham radio operator in the Netherlands.^[3]

Variants

A U.S. Navy TACAMO EC-130Q of VQ-4, in 1984.

EC-130E ABCCC
EC-130E Commando Solo
EC-130E Rivet Rider: A version of the Commando Solo.^[4]
EC-130G: four U.S. Navy C-130G (USAF C-130E) fitted with VLF transmitters to provide communications with ballistic missile submarines.
EC-130H Compass Call
EC-130J Commando Solo III
EC-130Q: U.S. Navy version of the C-130H, fitted with VLF transmitters to provide communications with ballistic missile submarines. 18 were built.
EC-130V: Airborne early warning and control variant used by USCG for counter-narcotics missions in 1991.^[5] 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: TACAMO IV, ops with VQ-4, July 1975-July 1988; modified to TC-130Q, ops with VR-22, VXE-6; to Tinker AFB with VQ-3, VQ-4, "hack" aircraft as of December 1995. On static display by March 1997, same, July 2013.
EC-130E USAF 62-1857: Operation Eagle Claw Republic 5 aircraft. On static display at the Carolinas Aviation Museum October 2013.
EC-130E USAF 63-7773 "Triple Cripple"

On static display at Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville PA.

Specifications (EC-130J)

Data from US Air Force Factsheet^[6]

General characteristics

Crew: Pilot, CoPilot, combat systems officer, mission communications commander; loadmaster, five electronic communications systems operators (6+)
Length: 97.75 ft (29.7 m)
Wingspan: 132.6 ft (40.3 m)
Height: 38.8 ft (11.8 m)
Max. takeoff weight: 165,000 lb (69,750 kg)
Powerplant: 4 × Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprop, 4,637 shp (3,458 kW)) each
Propellers: Dowty R391 6-blade composite propeller, 1 per engine

Performance

Cruise speed: 335 mph (540 km/h)
Range: 2,300 nm (4,260 km)
Service ceiling: 28,000 ft (8,500 m)

References

↑ "Radio station in the sky warns Haitians not to attempt boat voyage". CNN. 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
↑ "Listen: Secret Libya Psyops, Caught by Online Sleuths". Wired. March 20, 2011.
↑ "Ham operator reveals US 'psyops' broadcast". AFP/News. March 21, 2011.
↑ EC-130E Commando Solo. military.com
↑ "Lockheed EC-130V Hercules." Military Analysis Network, Federation of American Scientists, 10 February 1998. Retrieved: 2 October 2010.
↑ "Factsheets: EC-130J Commando Solo". United States Air Force. Retrieved 2009-08-21.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to EC-130J Commando Solo.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Basic versions	C-130A C-130E C-130H C-130J

Modified variants	AC-130 DC-130 EC-130E EC-130H EC-130J HC-130 KC-130 LC-130 MC-130 WC-130

Civil variants	L-100 L-382

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Lockheed-California Temporary Design Numbers	CL-282 CL-288 CL-295 CL-320 CL-325 CL-329 CL-346 CL-379 CL-400 CL-407 CL-475 CL-595 CL-704 CL-760 CL-823 CL-901 CL-915 CL-934 CL-981 CL-984 CL-985 CL-1026 CL-1195 CL-1200 CL-1400 CL-1600 CL-1700 CL-1800 CL-1980

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Military transports	Y1C-12 Y1C-17 Y1C-23 Y1C-25 C-36 C-37 C-40 C-56 C-57 C-59 C-60 C-63 C-66 C-69 UC-85 UC-101 C-104 C-111 C-121 C-130 / C-130J / HC-130 / KC-130 / LC-130 / MC-130 C-139 C-140 C-141 C-5 JO XRO R2O R3O XR4O R5O R6O / R6V R7O / R7V R8V / GV / UV Tristar

Attack and bombers	Y1A-9 A-28 A-29 XB-30 B-34 B-37 AC-130 A-4AR F-117 FB-22

Drones/UAVs	AQM-60 D-21/Q-12 Desert Hawk Desert Hawk III MQM-105 P-175 Q-5 RQ-3 RQ-170 See also: DC-130

EW and reconnaissance	O-56 F-4 F-5 F-14 YO-3 EC-121 EC-130 / EC-130H WC-130 EP-3 RB-69 U-2 / TR-1 A-12 SR-71 PO / WV XW2V

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Maritime patrol	PBO PV P2V P-2 P3V P-3 P-7 S-3 CP-122 CP-140

Trainers	AT-18 T-33 T-40 TO / TV T2V / T-1

Experimental	M-21 NF-104A QT-2 Senior Peg Senior Prom XC-35 XF-104 VZ-10 / XV-4 X-7 X-17 X-26B X-27 X-33 X-35 X-44 X-55 X-56

Names

¹ Not assigned.

United States military transport aircraft designations, Army/Air Force and Tri-Service systems

Army/Air Force sequence (1925-1962)	C-1 C-2 C-3 C-4 C-5 C-6 C-7 C-8 C-9 C-10 C-11 C-12 C-13¹ C-14 C-15 C-16 C-17 C-18 C-19 C-20 C-21 C-22 C-23 C-24 C-25 C-26 C-27 C-28 C-29 C-30 C-31 C-32 C-33 C-34 C-35 C-36 C-37 C-38 C-39 C-40 C-41/A C-42 C-43 C-44 C-45 C-46 C-47/T C-48 C-49 C-50 C-51 C-52 C-53 C-54 C-55 C-56 C-57 C-58 C-59 C-60 C-61 C-62 C-63 C-64 C-65 C-66 C-67 C-68 C-69 C-70/A/B/C/D C-71 C-72 C-73 C-74 C-75 C-76 C-77/B-D C-78 C-79 C-80 C-81 C-82 C-83 C-84 C-85 C-86 C-87 C-88 C-89 C-90 C-91 C-92 C-93 C-94 C-95 C-96 C-97/KC-97 C-98 C-99 C-100 C-101 C-102 C-103 C-104 C-105 C-106 C-107 C-108 C-109 C-110 C-111 C-112 C-113 C-114 C-115 C-116 C-117 C-118 C-119 C-120 C-121/F C-122 C-123/A C-124 C-125 C-126 C-127 (I) C-127 (II) C-128 C-129 C-130/J C-131 C-132 C-133 C-134 C-135/KC-135 C-136 C-137 C-138¹ C-139¹ C-140 C-141 C-142

Tri-service sequence (1962-present)	C-1 C-2 C-3 C-4 C-5 C-6 C-7/B C-8 C-9 C-10 C-11 C-12 C-13¹ C-14 C-15 C-16¹ C-17 C-18 C-19 C-20A-D/F-H C-21 C-22 C-23 C-24 C-25 C-26 C-27/J C-28 C-29 C-30¹ C-31 C-32 C-33 C-34¹ C-35 C-36 C-37 C-38 C-40 C-41 C-42¹ C-43¹ C-44¹ C-45 C-46

Revived original sequence (2005-present)	C-143 C-144 C-145 C-146

Non-sequential designations	C-767 C-880

¹ Not assigned See also: AC-47 • AC-119 • AC-130 • DC-130 • EC-130 • HC-130 • KC-130 • LC-130 • MC-130 • WC-130

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