Coast Guard orders HC-130Js

• Tweet

MARIETTA, Ga., Oct. 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard has ordered three additional HC-130J aircraft from Lockheed Martin, which will increase its fleet of HC-130Js to nine aircraft.

The contract, which has a value of $218 million, also includes delivery of two mission suites that are critical for conducting search-and-rescue operations.

"The Coast Guard, like many services in the Hercules family, continues to recapitalize with the C 130J," said Jack Crisler, Lockheed Martin vice president for Air Mobility. "The C 130J is without equal in terms of its multi-role, multi-mission flexibility and availability.

"No aircraft in production -- or in development -- can match the capabilities of the Super Hercules."

The aircraft are to be delivered in early 2015.

The Coast Guard's HC-130Js are stationed in North Carolina and patrol in areas that cannot be patrolled efficiently by medium-range surveillance aircraft or cutters. They also provide heavy air transport for maritime safety and security teams, port security units and National Strike Force personnel and equipment.