Lockheed C-130 Hercules
| C-130 Hercules | ||
|---|---|---|
| File:Usaf.c130.750pix.jpg The United States Air Force C-130 Hercules | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Multirole airlift transport, + many special variants | |
| Crew | Varies, usually 3–5 | |
| First Flight | ||
| Entered Service | ||
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 97 ft 9 in | 29.79 m |
| Wingspan | 132 ft 7 in | 40.41 m |
| Height | 38 ft 10 in | 11.9 m |
| Wing Area | 1,745 ft² | 162.12 m² |
| Cargo Hold Dimensions | ft in x ft in x ft in | m x m x m |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 72,892 lb | 33,063 kg |
| Loaded | 155,000 lb | 70,310 kg |
| Maximum Takeoff | 175,000 lb | 79,380 kg |
| Capacity | ||
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | Four Allison T56 turboprops | |
| Power | 4 x 4,910 hp | 4 x 3,600 kW |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum Speed | 386 mph | 621 km/h |
| Combat Range | 2,490 miles | 4,000 km |
| Ferry Range | 4,605 miles | 7,410 km |
| Service Ceiling | 23,000 ft | 7,010 m |
| Rate of Climb | 1,900 ft/min | 580 m/min |
| Wing Loading | lb/ft² | kg/m² |
| Thrust/Weight | ||
| Power/Mass | hp/lb | kW/kg |
| Avionics | ||
| Avionics | ||
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop aircraft, is the workhorse of the United States military forces. Capable of landing and taking off from short, rough dirt runways, it is a people and cargo hauler and is used in a wide variety of other roles, such as gunships, weather watchers, tankers, firefighters and aerial ambulances. There are more than 40 versions of the Hercules, and it is widely used by more than 50 nations.
The KC-130 tanker is equipped with a removable 13,626 L (3600 gallon) stainless steel fuel tank that is carried inside the cargo compartment providing additional fuel when required. The two wing-mounted hose and drogue aerial refueling pods each transfer up to 1,135 L (300 gallons) per minute to two aircraft simultaneously allowing for rapid cycle times of multiple-receiver aircraft formations (a typical tanker formation of four aircraft in less than 30 minutes).
The C-130 was intended to be replaced by USAF's AMST project. However, following AMST's canellation, the C-130 has remained in production. Today the only production model is the new C-130J.
Models
- C-130A
Deliveries of the C-130A to the U.S. military began in December 1956. The C-130A was delivered with Allison T56-A-1 turoprops and 3 blade propellers. - C-130B
The first B models came on board in April 1959. The B model is known as the sportscar of the fleet because it had no wing tanks and had fully boosted ailerons with 3,000 versus 2,050 lb/in² (21 versus 14 MPa) on other models. This allowed the B model to have a higher roll rate. The B model was equipped with the T56-A-7 uprated engine and four bladed propellers. - C-130E
The extended range E model entered service in 1962. The increased range was achieved by underwing fuel tanks. The E model also featured structural improvements, avionics upgrades and a higher gross weight. - C-130H
The H models remains in widespread use with the USAF and many foreign air forces. Initial H model deliveries began in 1964 and remained in production until 1996. An improved C-130H was introduced in 1974. The H model is known as the C-130K in RAF service. The C-130H-30 is a stretched version of the original Hercules, achieved by inserting a 2.54m plug aft of the cockpit and a 2.03m plug at the rear of the fuselage. - C-130J
The C-130J is the newest version of the Hercules. While externally virtually undistinguishable from the classic Hercules the J model is a radically different aircraft "under the skin." These differences include new Rolls-Royce Allison AE2100 turobprops with composite propellers, digital avionics, reduced manpower requirements, increased reliability and up to 27% lower operating costs. The C-130J is also available in a standard-length or stretched version (C-130J-30). Lockheed received the launch order for J model from the RAF who ordered 25 aircraft, first deliveries began in 1999. The largest operator of the new model will be the USAF who are ordering the aircraft in increasing numbers. - L-100
The L-100 series are civil variants of the Hercules.
Variants
Variants of the C-130 include:
- AC-130 gunship
- DC-130 and GC-130 drone control
- EC-130 Commando Solo command and control, and electronic warfare
- EC-130 COMPASS CALL
- EC-130E ABCCC
- HC-130P/N special operations refueling, long-range surveillance, search and rescue
- JC-130 and NC-130 space and missile operations
- KC-130 tactical refueling tanker
- LC-130 Arctic & Antarctic support
- MC-130E/H Combat Talon I/II (special operations)
- PC-130 maritime patrol
- RC-130 reconnaissance
- SC-130 search and rescue
- VC-130 VIP transport
- WC-130 weather reconnaissance
The C-130 made history in November, 1963 when on the 8th, 21st and 22nd the USS Forrestal and the C-130 set a record for the largest and heaviest airplane landing on a Navy aircraft carrier. The tests were more than successful, however the idea was considered a bit too risky for routine COD ("Carrier On-board Delivery") operations.
Units Using the Hercules
United States Air Force
United States Marine Corps
United States Coast Guard
Royal Air Force
- No. 24 Squadron
- No. 30 Squadron
- No. 36 Squadron
- No. 47 Squadron
- No. 48 Squadron
- No. 70 Squadron
South African Air Force
- No. 28 Squadron
- No. 40 Squadron
| Modern USAF Series | Miscellaneous | |
| C-5 Galaxy | Attack--OA/A-10,AC-130H/U | RC-135V/W |
| C-17 Globemaster III | Bomber--B-52,-2,-1B,F-117A | OC-135B |
| C-20 Gulfstream III | Fighter--F-15/E ,F-16 | KC-10,-135 |
| C-21 Learjet | Electronic--E-3,-4B,-8C EC-130E/J,H | HC-130P/N |
| C-32 C-22B | Transport--C-5,-17,-141B, -20,-21 | MC-130E/H/P |
| C-130 Hercules | C-22B, -32, -130, -37A, -40B/C | MH-53J/M |
| C-141B Starlifter | Trainers--T-1, -37, -38, -43, -6 | HH-60G |
| C-37A Gulfstream V | Weather--WC-130, -135 | UH-1N |
| C-40B/C Clipper | UAV--RQ-1/MQ-1 UAV, Global Hawk | U-2S/TU-2S |
| VC-25 |