The RFI serves as a market research tool rather than a
formal solicitation. By canvassing the aerospace and defense industry, the USCG
aims to gauge interest and capabilities in converting baseline
C-130J transport aircraft into highly specialized Long Range Surveillance platforms.
The Scope of the Missionization Effort
The core of the project involves installing the MSS+
package—a sophisticated sensor and mission system suite owned by the U.S.
government—onto both USCG and CBP C-130J aircraft. Once these modifications are
complete, the baseline aircraft are redesignated as HC-130J.
The program is a joint effort between the two agencies,
which will share a common Technical Data Package and operate under a single
unified program office to ensure logistical and operational consistency. For
the USCG, this effort is a continuation of its program to eventually field a
fleet of 28 HC-130J aircraft, starting with the 23rd aircraft. CBP, under its
Air and Marine Operations’ Extended Border Foreign Operations Surveillance program,
requires 12 missionized aircraft.
The current request anticipates a base order of three USCG
aircraft and one CBP aircraft, with the option to purchase an additional eight units.
Strategic Timeline and Considerations
The USCG has outlined an ambitious timeline, with
missionization efforts projected to commence in Fiscal Year 2030. To reach that
goal, the period of performance is expected to begin in mid-2028, providing
approximately two years for production ramp-up, supply chain coordination, and
long-lead material procurement.
The agency has emphasized that it is not currently
requesting proposals, and participation in the RFI is voluntary.
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