# HC/MC-130 Recap RDT&E — Program Element 0605278F

**Program element:** 0605278F  
**Component:** U.S. Air Force  
**Appropriation:** 3600 — RDT&E, Air Force  
**Budget Activity:** 7 — Operational System Development  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605278F

## Summary

U.S. Air Force funding falls 55% to a $34.9M request in FY2027 (down from a FY2026 peak). In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House funded it in full; the Senate added 72% (to $59.9M); House appropriators funded it in full. Lockheed Martin leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 43.6 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 77.1 |
| FY2027 | Request | 34.9 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 26.7 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 26.4 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 25.4 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 25.9 |

> Estimate types are not summed — the profile mixes actuals, enacted law, the request, and outyear projections.

## Congressional marks (FY2027)

| Stage | Marked ($M) | Change ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| Request | 34.9 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 34.9 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 59.9 | +25.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 34.9 | +0.0 |

> FY2027 NDAA authorization marks, as of 2026-07-27. Not appropriations or final law.

## Projects (2)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 675910 | AC/MC Modernization | 42.8 | 76.2 | 34.2 | −55% |
| 675278 | HC-130J Modernization | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.8 | −14% |

> Projects are the summable leaves: the program element total is their sum, never added to it.

### Project 675910 — AC/MC Modernization

The Communication Modernization Project will allow the AC/HC/MC-130Js to meet the Secretary of the Air Force's Cryptographic Modernization Mandate requirements. The USAF initiated the Communications Modernization program to comply with Cryptographic Modernization 1 and 2 requirements, including, but not limited to, meeting Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) and VINSON/ANDVT Cryptographic Modernization (VACM) mandates, as well as delivering Second-generation Anti-jam Tactical UHF Radio for NATO (SATURN), Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS), Airborne Mission Network (AbMN) integration, and HF Modernization capabilities to resolve DMS issues. The Air Force intends to execute critical portions of AC/MC-130J 7.0/8.1 program as part of the Communications Modernization program. The remaining AC/MC-130J 7.0/8.1 capabilities (i.e., those not needed to execute Communications Modernization) will be installed on the AC and MC-130J under a future RDT&E program within this project. Communication Modernization funding supports innovation activities to include but are not limited to studies, analyses, requirements definition, and quick-reaction capability prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion and future acquisition programs. Project 675910, Communication Modernization may include initiation and employment of rapid acquisition authorities to respond to emerging threats and requirements as need. Resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing will provide reliable and accurate PNT solutions to ensure safe aerial navigation, delivery of precision fires, and support precise time coordination. This capability will also provide the foundation to counter emerging and continuously evolving electronic and cyber threats to PNT. R-PNT will integrate hardware and software to enable transit in GPS degraded/denied environments and support documented strategy requirements for uncompromised CSAR and SOF infil/exfil operations in contested environments. The chosen R-PNT solution will comply with the CSAF Capability Development Guidance Memorandum (CDGM), dated 4 Oct 2022. The R-PNT acquisition strategy involves a three phased approach. Phase 1 integrates the Resilient-Embedded GPS/INS (R-EGI) system. Phases 2 and 3 will upgrade the antenna suite and add open mission systems architecture.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** Lockheed Martin (32.2, 94%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communications Modernization Phase I | 3.3 | 3.6 | 0.0 |
| Communications Modernization Phase II | 8.7 | 34.9 | 21.3 |
| Polar Airlift LC-130J | 28.0 | 26.2 | 0.0 |
| Government Test Support - Phase I | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Government Test Support - Phase II | 0.4 | 3.5 | 0.8 |
| Continuous Improvement (CIP) | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| Resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (R-PNT) | 0.0 | 5.5 | 7.2 |
| MC-130J STAR XIII CR-2 OFP | 0.0 | 1.1 | 4.8 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project 675278 — HC-130J Modernization

HC/MC-130 Recapitalization replaces the aging USAF fleet of combat rescue HC-130P/N and special operations MC-130E/H/P/W and AC-130H/U/W aircraft for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and Air Force Special Operation Forces, which are experiencing airworthiness, maintainability, and operational imitations. The primary effort to modernize CSAR capabilities on the HC-130J platform to keep the aircraft viable against emerging threats. The HC-130J Modernization Programs fund the program lifecycle from development to installation in three major thrust areas to include but not limited to Continuous Improvement Program (CIP), Development, and Government Test. RDT&E permits the initiation and employment of rapid acquisition authorities to respond to emerging threats and requirements as needed. CIP includes recurring software and hardware enhancements to address evolving requirements for Special Operations Forces and Personnel Recovery missions. These enhancements will be incorporated in both production and fielded aircraft. These enhancements will include, but are not limited to, parallel operational flight program [OFP] updates, integration and certification for Diminishing Manufacturing Sources Materiel Solutions [DMSMS], and other development activities as needed to keep the HC-130J programs effective against emerging threats. This funding also supports innovation activities to include studies, analyses, requirements definition, and quick-reaction capability prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion and future acquisition programs. The HC-130J Modernization Development program funds engineering support, development, and test activities necessary to deliver specific capabilities in support of connectivity, survivability, and sustainment objectives. These activities may include, but are not limited to, development and integration of electronic warfare, airborne battle management, and an upgraded Link-16 capability. This program would include HC-130J platform support to resolve deficiency reports and meet mission requirements/mandates to maintain the fleet.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Improvement Program (CIP) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| HC-130J Modernization | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.8 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 92% | 32.2 |
| Other / unspecified | 7.8% | 2.7 |

**Top named industry performers:** Lockheed Martin ($32.2M, 92%).

> R-3 exhibit contract funding, not USAspending obligations.

## Mission & acquisition strategy

HC/MC-130 Recapitalization provides a Medium-lift tanker aircraft to replace the aging USAF fleet of combat rescue HC-130P/N and special operations MC-130E/H/P/W and AC-130H/U/W aircraft for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and Air Force Special Operation Forces, which are experiencing airworthiness, maintainability, and operations limitations. HC/MC-130 Recap incorporates production line modifications to the C-130J production aircraft to convert them to an HC/MC model, providing a common baseline configuration aircraft.

The Communications Modernization Program was split into two phases to accelerate the required capabilities for the 2024 crypto mandates. Development work done to date was accomplished utilizing a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract. The Resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing program will provide an M-Code capable GPS receiver, upgraded digital Antenna Electronics, and Resilient GPS/INS (R-EGI) hardware. Contract strategy will be determined. The MC-130J STAR XIII CR-2 OFP program will ensure STAR XIII interoperability with AC/HC/MC-130J aircraft and mitigate impacts due to STAR IX Mission Computer DMS. Contract strategy will be determined.

## Related program elements

- [0401218F — KC-135 Upgrades](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0401218F) (Air Force)
- [1203164SF — Military Global Positioning System USER EQUIP](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1203164SF) (Space Force)
- [0205632N — MK-48 ADCAP](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0205632N) (Navy)
- [0605310D8Z — Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Siting Clearinghouse](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605310D8Z) (Defense-Wide)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0605278F (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0605278F")`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*