WC-130J

The C-130J achieved initial operational capability in 1999. The WC-130J is a derivative of the C-130J tactical transport aircraft specially modified to perform weather reconnaissance missions. The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base in Missouri received eight aircraft in 1999 and two more in 2000 totaling 10 WC-130Js. Assigned to hurricane hunting the new aircraft has 29 percent more thrust than those it replaced, which means WC-130J can fly higher and faster. It can reach 28,000-ft (8,500 meters) in 14 minutes and it's a lot more fuel efficient than its predecessor allowing to go farther. WC-130J inherits C-130J glass cockpit and avionics, including two head-up displays and computers, which represent reduced workload for aircrews and allowing crew members to spend more time on mission work. The United States National Hurricane Center gets all the weather information needed from the plane straight from the eye of the storm. Then forecasters can use the data to provide a more trustworthy hurricanes and/or storms path prediction. The WC-130J storm hunter aircraft was deployed for the first time ever on 20 May 2005 by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, dubbed Hurricane Hunters, based at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Hurricane Adrian appeared in the Pacific off the coast of Central America and was threatening El Salvador. The first flight mission lasted for over 11 hours.

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