C-130J Program

The C-130J Program falls under the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation budget activity. The program aims to enhance the capabilities of the C-130J aircraft, a medium-sized transport aircraft used for combat delivery operations. The specific objectives include funding for required capabilities grouped as Block upgrades or Capability or Enhancement and Deficiencies (EnD) updates. This involves integrating common-core capabilities into all United States' variants of the aircraft and conducting early acquisition and engineering studies related to the C-130J. Additionally, the program includes RDT&E funding for Communication Modernization efforts, such as developing, integrating, and testing new radio and communication systems to provide secure, global Line of Sight (LOS) and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) satellite voice and data connectivity utilizing modern satellite constellations.

The C-130J Program's planned programs include activities such as Block 8.1 enhancements, Test & Evaluation planning and support, Capability Management Updates (CMU), Enhancement & Deficiencies (EnD) refinements, Cooperative Systems and Software Upgrade Requirements Management (COSSURM), and other initiatives/studies. These efforts aim to refine and build on Block upgrade modifications to improve operational effectiveness, satisfy emerging operational needs, enhance Human Machine Interface (HMI), and address communication modernization requirements. The program also involves international collaboration through a global Project Arrangement (PA) with various nations to share development costs for block upgrades and CMU efforts.