The U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has announced it will equip its fleet of C-130 aircraft, including AC-130J, MC-130J, and HC-130J models, with Northrop Grumman’s AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR).
The program plans to acquire 147 radars and components for 133 aircraft, along with spare parts, marking a significant advancement in the surveillance, navigation, and target engagement capabilities of these platforms.
Currently, the fleet uses legacy mechanically scanned radars, such as the AN/APN-241, which lack essential modern capabilities for contested environments. The APG-83, already used on F-16 aircraft, offers near-instantaneous scanning, high-resolution SAR imagery, moving target tracking, and enhanced jamming resistance, significantly boosting the effectiveness of the aircraft in surveillance, strike, and electronic warfare operations, even in adverse weather conditions.
The upgrade is considered strategic to expand the fleet’s roles beyond traditional counterterrorism operations. The AC-130J will be able to identify targets at greater distances and operate in limited optical sensor conditions, while the MC-130J will gain advanced navigation, long-range communications, and electronic warfare capabilities.
The program integrates with other upgrades, such as the AN/APQ-187 Silent Knight radar, and reflects SOCOM’s long-term effort to modernize its Hercules fleet with cutting-edge technologies.
Source: The Aviationist | Photo: X @Defence_IDA | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
U.S. Special Operations Command has chosen Northrop Grumman’s APG-83 SABR to upgrade and replace the legacy radars on AC-130J, MC-130J and HC-130J aircraft. pic.twitter.com/631lqkQAS2
— International Defence Analysis (@Defence_IDA) September 1, 2025
