Coast Guard exercises option for HC-130Js

ROSSLYN, Va., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard has exercised a contract option with Lockheed Martin for the installation of next-generation mission systems on HC-130J aircraft.

U.S. company Lockheed Martin will install mission equipment and sensor technologies on two of the Coast Guard's long-range HC-130J aircraft under a deal worth $13.25 million.

Lockheed Martin says the mission equipment improves aircraft fuel efficiency, endurance and mission-critical communication capabilities, among other advances for homeland security and maritime search and rescue operations.

"The mission equipment makes the Coast Guard's HC-130J an incredibly versatile aircraft, critical to meeting today's increased mission requirements," Mike Fralen, Lockheed Martin deep-water aviation lead, said in a statement.

When the contract is completed, the Coast Guard will have a fleet of six HC-130J aircraft equipped with the next-generation technologies.