The C-130 Hercules is still longer in production than any aircraft in history. The C-130 Hercules was first flown in the form of a YC-130 prototype on August 23, 1954, first delivery to the USAF in December 1956. The C-130 design is based on a high wing, unobstructed cargo compartment, roll on/off ramp, palletized cargo floor, and flat level floor at truck-bed height above the ground.

The current basic transport Hercules, the C-130H was first delivered in April 1975, can be configured for cargo (5 463L pallets), paratroopers (64), combat troops (92), hospital litter patients (74), or any combinations of all of these.

The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for Para dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. Basic and specialized versions perform a diversity of roles, including airlift support, DEW Line and Arctic ice resupply, aero medical missions, aerial spray missions, fire-fighting duties for the US Forest Service, and natural disaster relief missions. In recent years, they have been used to bring humanitarian relief to many countries, including Haiti, Bosnia, Somalia, and Rwanda.

The L-100-20/30 Hercules is the stretched civilian version of the C-130H basic military model.

First flight of the new high-tech variant, C-130J-30 (RAF Hercules C4 ZH865) was on April 5, 1996. The C-130J's new engine is the AE2100B3 with a new six-blade propeller, the cockpit has new flight control systems (glass-cockpit).

Lockheed C-130J Hercules

The C-130J incorporates state-of-the-art technology that significantly improves performance and reduces ownership costs. Lockheed Martin projections show the C-130J/J-30 will lower cost of ownership as much as 45% depending on the scenario used. Early model C-130s require more than 20 maintenance man-hours per flight hour (MMH/FH). The C-130J/J-30 will require 10 or less MMH/FH. The C-130J/J-30 integrated digital technology provides the capability to airdrop in instrument conditions without zone markers, as a baseline feature of the aircraft. When the high resolution ground mapping capability of the APN-241 Low Power Color Radar is coupled with the dual INS/GPS and digital mapping systems, the C-130J/J-30 provides single-ship or formation all weather aerial delivery. This means the entire J/J-30 fleet will be all weather airdrop capable. C-130Js will be delivered as weather (WC), electronic combat (EC), and tanker (KC) configured aircraft.

The United States Marine Corps has chosen the KC-130J tanker to replace its aging KC-130F tanker fleet. The new KC-130J offers increased utility and much needed improvement in mission performance. As a force multiplier, the J tanker is capable of refueling both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft as well as conducting rapid ground refueling. The refueling speed envelope has been widened from 100 to 270 knots indicated airspeed, offering more capability and flexibility. Offload rates per refueling pod can be up to 300 gallons / 2,040 lbs (1,135 liters / 925 kg) per minute simultaneously. The J tanker's offload is significantly greater than previous Herc tankers. As an example, at 1,000 nautical miles, the fuel offload is well over 45,000 lbs. Rapid ground refueling is also a premium capability. In austere conditions/scenarios, the KC-130J can refuel helicopters, vehicles, and fuel caches at 600 gallons / 4,080 lbs (2,270 liters / 1,850 kg) per minute. Additionally, the unique prop feathering capability while the engines are still running ("HOTEL Mode") offers safer and more hospitable conditions for ground refueling than in the past.

The WC-130J Hercules is a special weather reconnaissance version of the new Lockheed Martin C-130J cargo plane. Its mission is to fly into the eye of hurricanes to retrieve critical information about active storms. The Air Force Reserve Command's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, MS, a component of the 403rd Wing, is the only unit in the Department of Defense that flies this mission.

The standard C-130J has essentially the same dimensions as the C-130E/H but the J-30 (stretched version) is 15 feet longer. The J-30 incorporates two extension plugs, one forward and one aft. The forward plug is 100 inches long while the rear plug is 80 inches for a total of 180 inches or 15 feet. With its 3,000 nautical mile range, increased speed, and air refueling capability, it complements the C-5/C-17 airlift team. The J-30 can work in the strategic, as well as tactical or intratheater, environment. The J-30 can be an effective force multiplier in executing the US Army Strategic Brigade Airdrop (SBA). The J-30 can airdrop 100% of the SBA requirement. No longer is it necessary to expend scarce heavy lift resources on strategic contingency requirements. Whether it's a channel, special airlift, training, or contingency airdrop mission, the J-30 can handle it all at a significantly reduced cost.

For the first time in the 40-plus year history of the popular Hercules transport, the US Air Force and Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems signed a commercial practices contract for the sale of C-130Js. Awarded on 06 November 1996, the basic contract includes an initial order for two aircraft, associated data, and spares, funded in fiscal year 1996. The contract also contains five years of options through the year 2000 for additional aircraft, interim contractor support, data, training, and support. By late 1996 Aeronautical Systems had completed assembly of the first "production" C-130J (Serial # 5440), one of 12 ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force.

Lockheed C-130 Special Missions Aircraft

MC-130E (Rivet Clamp) (Rivet Swap) (Rivet Yank) Three distinct versions of this model: Nine aircraft are of the Rivet Clamp version fitted with the Fulton recovery yoke together with an infra-red detection system, chaff / flare dispensers, and a tail cone-mounted radar warning receiver. Three Rivet Yank are similarly configured but lack the Fulton system and have T56-A-15 engines fitted, while the two Rivet Swap Hercules appear to be system evaluation aircraft.

EC-130E Rivet Rider witch are operated by the Pennsylvania ANG for psychological warfare duties. The Rivet Riders feature a large blade antenna on the leading edge of the fin along with another curved antenna beneath the wings outboard of the engines. Underwing pods and a rear fuselage pod contain trailing wire antennas.

Specifications: EC-130E

Weight:               empty 33.063 kg.

                           Maximum payload 20412 kg.

Speed:                 612 km/h.

Range:                 7564 km.

Performance:       maximum rate of climb at sea level 558 m per minute.

The HC-130N was fielded for rescue and for recovery of space capsules. They have Cook Aerial Trackers to locate satellite capsules during re-entry from orbit.

The HC-130P combined the rescue and recovery configuration and added a tanker mission, having under-wing refueling drogue pods previously developed for the US Marines KC-130F and used primarily to refuel rescue and special-operation helicopters.

- empty: 36.397 Kg.

- fuel: 19.116 liter.

- external fuel: 2 under wing tanks 1703 liter.

- max. payload: 17.654 Kg.

- 5 pallets.

- 74 litters.

- 16 cds bundles.

- 64 paratroops.

- empty: 34.275 Kg.

- fuel: 25.522 liter.

- external fuel: 2 under wing tanks 1703 liter.

- max. payload: 19.090 Kg.

- take-off run 594 m at max. take-off weight.

- max. rate of climb at sea level 610 m/min.

- 8 pallets.

- 97 litters.

- 24 cds bundles.

- 92 paratroops.

- empty: 35.996 Kg.

- fuel: 25.522 liter.

- external fuel: 2 under wing tanks 1703 liter.

- max. payload: 20,227 Kg.

YC-130    2

C-130B      156

                 230

C-130E  486

             491

AC-130U      13

C-130H       690

C-130H-30    56

C-130HMP     4

C-130K        66

C-130T         20

EC-130V        1

EC-130Q      18

HC-130H       67

HC-130H-7     11

HC-130H(N)     6

HC-130N        15

HC-130P        20

KC-130H        22

KC-130R        14

KC-130T        26

KC-130T-30     2

LC-130H          7

LC-130R          6

MC-130H        24

_______________

                   1087

The Lockheed C-130 variants are in service by over 60 air forces.

Military operators of the C-130 are:

Australia

Bolivia

Chad

Honduras

Mexico

Peru

United States:

CIA

USAF

USN

Argentina

Bangladesh

Bolivia

Botswana

Columbia

Chile

Ecuador

Ethiopia

Greece

Indonesia

Jordan

Pakistan

Philippines

Romania

Singapore

South Africa

Tunis

Turkey

United States:

USAF

USCG

USMC

USN

CIA

Australia

Austria

Argentina

Brazil

Canada

Iran

Iraq

Israel

Mexico

Pakistan

Saudi Arabia

Sri Lanka

Sweden

United States:

USAF

USCG

CIA

Abu Dhabi

Algeria

Argentina

Australia

Belgium

Bolivia

Brazil

Cameroon

Canada

Chad

Chile

Columbia

Denmark

Dubai

Egypt

France

Gabon

Greece

Indonesia

Iran

Israel

Italy

Japan

Jordan

Libya

Malaysia

Morocco

Netherlands

New Zealand

Niger

Nigeria

Norway

Oman

Philippines

Portugal

Romania

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

South-Korea

Spain

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Sweden

Taiwan

Thailand

Tunis

Turkey

United Kingdom

United States:

USAF

USCG

USMC

USN

NASA

Venezuela

Yemen

Zaire

Algeria

Cameroon

Chad

Dubai

Egypt

France

Indonesia

Malaysia

Netherlands

Nigeria

Portugal

Saudi Arabia

South Korea

Thailand

United Kingdom

United States:

USMC

Canada

Gabon

Indonesia

Kuwait

Pakistan

Peru

Philippines

UA Emirates

United States:

CIA

United Kingdom

Italy

United States