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KC-130 Aerial Refueling Tankers Working towards Contact and Goes At Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ Feb 18, 2016 P1010590 – Model 2

by Marvin Brant

September 21, 2023

in Solar and Wind Images

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_C-130_Hercules

C-130 Hercules
Straight-wing, four-engine turboprop-driven plane overflying water
USAF C-130E
Function Navy transport plane
Nationwide origin: United States
Producer: Lockheed
Lockheed Martin
First flight 23 August 1954
Standing: In-service
Main usersUnited States Air Pressure
United States Marine Corps
Royal Air Pressure
Royal Canadian Air Pressure
Produced1954–current
Quantity constructed: Over 2,500 as of 2015[1]
Unit value
C-130E $11.9 million[2]
C-130H $30.1 million[3]
VariantsAC-130 Spectre/Spooky
Lockheed DC-130
Lockheed EC-130
Lockheed HC-130
Lockheed Martin KC-130
Lockheed LC-130
Lockheed MC-130
Lockheed WC-130
Lockheed L-100 Hercules
Developed into: Lockheed Martin C-130J Tremendous Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop army transport plane designed and constructed initially by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Able to utilizing unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was initially designed as a troop, medivac, and cargo transport plane. The versatile airframe has discovered makes use of in a wide range of different roles, together with as a gunship (AC-130), for airborne assault, search and rescue, scientific analysis assist, climate reconnaissance, aerial refueling, maritime patrol, and aerial firefighting. It’s now the primary tactical airlifter for a lot of army forces worldwide. Over forty fashions and variants of the Hercules, together with a civilian one marketed as Lockheed L-100, function in additional than sixty nations.

The C-130 entered service with the U.S. within the Fifties, adopted by Australia and others. Throughout its years of service, the Hercules household has participated in quite a few army, civilian and humanitarian assist operations. In 2007, the C-130 grew to become the fifth plane—after the English Electrical Canberra, B-52 Stratofortress, Tu-95, and KC-135 Stratotanker—to mark 50 years of steady service with its authentic main buyer, on this case, the US Air Pressure. The C-130 Hercules is the longest constantly produced army plane at over 60 years, with the up to date C-130J Tremendous Hercules being produced immediately.[4]

Contents [hide]
1Design and growth
1.1Background and necessities
1.2Design part
1.3Improved variations
1.4More enhancements
1.5Later fashions
1.6Next era
1.7Upgrades and adjustments
1.8Replacement
2Operational historical past
2.1Military
2.2Civilian
3Variants
4Operators
5Accidents
6Aircraft on show
6.1Australia
6.2Canada
6.3Colombia
6.4Indonesia
6.5Norway
6.6Saudi Arabia
6.7United Kingdom
6.8United States
7Specifications (C-130H)
8See additionally
9References
10External hyperlinks
Design and growth[edit]

This part wants extra citations for verification. Please assist enhance this text by including citations to dependable sources. Unsourced materials could also be challenged and eliminated. (February 2014)
Background and necessities[edit]
The Korean Battle, which started in June 1950, confirmed that World Battle II-era piston-engine transports—Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars, Douglas C-47 Skytrains, and Curtiss C-46 Commandos—have been insufficient for contemporary warfare. Thus, on 2 February 1951, the US Air Pressure issued a Common Working Requirement (GOR) for a brand new transport to Boeing, Douglas, Fairchild, Lockheed, Martin, Chase Plane, North American, Northrop, and Airlifts Inc. The brand new transport would have a capability of 92 passengers, 72 fight troops or 64 paratroopers in a cargo compartment that was roughly 41 toes (12 m) lengthy, 9 toes (2.7 m) excessive, and 10 toes (3.0 m) vast. Not like transports derived from passenger airliners, it was to be designed from the ground-up as a fight transport with loading from a hinged loading ramp on the rear of the fuselage.

A key characteristic was the introduction of the Allison T56 turboprop powerplant, first developed particularly for the C-130. On the time, the turboprop was a brand new utility of turbine engines that used exhaust gases to show a propeller, which supplied better vary at propeller-driven speeds in comparison with pure turbojets, which have been sooner however consumed extra gasoline. As was the case on helicopters of that period, such because the UH-1 Huey, turboshafts produced far more energy for his or her weight than piston engines. Lockheed would subsequently use the identical engines and know-how within the Lockheed L-188 Electra. That plane failed financially in its civilian configuration however was efficiently tailored into the Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol and submarine assault plane the place the effectivity and endurance of turboprops excelled.

Design part[edit]
The Hercules resembled a bigger four-engine brother to the C-123 Supplier with an analogous wing and cargo ramp format that advanced from the Chase XCG-20 Avitruc, which in flip, was first designed and flown as a cargo glider in 1947.[5] The Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter additionally had a rear ramp, which made it doable to drive autos onto the airplane (additionally doable with a ahead ramp on a C-124). The ramp on the Hercules was additionally used to airdrop cargo, which included low-altitude extraction for Sheridan tanks and even dropping massive improvised "daisy cutter" bombs.

The brand new Lockheed cargo airplane design possessed a spread of 1,100 nmi (1,270 mi; 2,040 km), takeoff functionality from quick and unprepared strips, and the flexibility to fly with one engine shut down. Fairchild, North American, Martin, and Northrop declined to take part. The remaining 5 firms tendered a complete of ten designs: Lockheed two, Boeing one, Chase three, Douglas three, and Airlifts Inc. one. The competition was a detailed affair between the lighter of the 2 Lockheed (preliminary challenge designation L-206) proposals and a four-turboprop Douglas design.

The Lockheed design workforce was led by Willis Hawkins, beginning with a 130-page proposal for the Lockheed L-206.[6] Corridor Hibbard, Lockheed vp and chief engineer, noticed the proposal and directed it to Kelly Johnson, who didn’t look after the low-speed, unarmed plane, and remarked, "When you signal that letter, you’ll destroy the Lockheed Firm."[6] Each Hibbard and Johnson signed the proposal and the corporate gained the contract for the now-designated Mannequin 82 on 2 July 1951.[7]

The primary flight of the YC-130 prototype was made on 23 August 1954 from the Lockheed plant in Burbank, California. The plane, serial quantity 53-3397, was the second prototype, however the first of the 2 to fly. The YC-130 was piloted by Stanley Beltz and Roy Wimmer on its 61-minute flight to Edwards Air Pressure Base; Jack Actual and Dick Stanton served as flight engineers. Kelly Johnson flew chase in a Lockheed P2V Neptune.[8]

After the 2 prototypes have been accomplished, manufacturing started in Marietta, Georgia, the place over 2,300 C-130s have been constructed by means of 2009.[9]

The preliminary manufacturing mannequin, the C-130A, was powered by Allison T56-A-9 turboprops with three-blade propellers and initially outfitted with the blunt nostril of the prototypes. Deliveries started in December 1956, persevering with till the introduction of the C-130B mannequin in 1959. Some A-models have been outfitted with skis and re-designated C-130D. Because the C-130A grew to become operational with Tactical Air Command (TAC), the C-130’s lack of vary grew to become obvious and extra gasoline capability was added within the type of exterior pylon-mounted tanks on the finish of the wings.

Improved variations[edit]

A Michigan Air Nationwide Guard C-130E dispatches its flares throughout a low-level coaching mission
The C-130B mannequin was developed to enhance the A-models that had beforehand been delivered, and integrated new options, notably elevated gasoline capability within the type of auxiliary tanks constructed into the middle wing part and an AC electrical system. 4-bladed Hamilton Normal propellers changed the Aeroproducts three-blade propellers that distinguished the sooner A-models. The C-130B had ailerons with elevated increase—3,000 psi (21 MPa) versus 2,050 psi (14 MPa)—in addition to uprated engines and four-blade propellers that have been customary till the J-model’s introduction.

An digital reconnaissance variant of the C-130B was designated C-130B-II. A complete of 13 plane have been transformed. The C-130B-II was distinguished by its false exterior wing gasoline tanks, which have been disguised indicators intelligence (SIGINT) receiver antennas. These pods have been barely bigger than the usual wing tanks discovered on different C-130Bs. Most plane featured a swept blade antenna on the higher fuselage, in addition to further wire antennas between the vertical fin and higher fuselage not discovered on different C-130s. Radio name numbers on the tail of those plane have been recurrently modified in order to confuse observers and disguise their true mission.

The extended-range C-130E mannequin entered service in 1962 after it was developed as an interim long-range transport for the Navy Air Transport Service. Basically a B-model, the brand new designation was the results of the set up of 1,360 US gal (5,150 L) Sargent Fletcher exterior gasoline tanks underneath every wing’s midsection and extra highly effective Allison T56-A-7A turboprops. The hydraulic increase stress to the ailerons was decreased again to 2050 psi as a consequence of the exterior tanks’ weight in the course of the wingspan. The E mannequin additionally featured structural enhancements, avionics upgrades and a better gross weight. Australia took supply of 12 C130E Hercules throughout 1966–67 to complement the 12 C-130A fashions already in service with the RAAF. Sweden and Spain fly the TP-84T model of the C-130E fitted for aerial refueling functionality.

The KC-130 tankers, initially C-130F procured for the US Marine Corps (USMC) in 1958 (underneath the designation GV-1) are outfitted with a detachable 3,600 US gal (13,626 L) chrome steel gasoline tank carried contained in the cargo compartment. The 2 wing-mounted hose and drogue aerial refueling pods every switch as much as 300 US gal per minute (19 L per second) to 2 plane concurrently, permitting for fast cycle instances of multiple-receiver plane formations, (a typical tanker formation of 4 plane in lower than half-hour). The US Navy’s C-130G has elevated structural power permitting greater gross weight operation.

Extra enhancements[edit]

Royal Australian Air Pressure C-130H, 2007
The C-130H mannequin has up to date Allison T56-A-15 turboprops, a redesigned outer wing, up to date avionics and different minor enhancements. Later H fashions had a brand new, fatigue-life-improved, middle wing that was retrofitted to many earlier H-models. For structural causes, some fashions are required to land with sure quantities of gasoline when carrying heavy cargo, lowering usable vary.[10] The H mannequin stays in widespread use with the US Air Pressure (USAF) and plenty of international air forces. Preliminary deliveries started in 1964 (to the RNZAF), remaining in manufacturing till 1996. An improved C-130H was launched in 1974, with Australia buying 12 of sort in 1978 to interchange the unique 12 C-130A fashions, which had first entered RAAF Service in 1958.

The USA Coast Guard employs the HC-130H for long-range search and rescue, drug interdiction, unlawful migrant patrols, homeland safety, and logistics.

C-130H fashions produced from 1992 to 1996 have been designated as C-130H3 by the USAF. The "3" denoting the third variation in design for the H collection. Enhancements included ring laser gyros for the INUs, GPS receivers, a partial glass cockpit (ADI and HSI devices), a extra succesful APN-241 shade radar, evening imaginative and prescient system appropriate instrument lighting, and an built-in radar and missile warning system. {The electrical} system improve included Generator Management Items (GCU) and Bus Switching items (BSU)to offer steady energy to the extra delicate upgraded elements.[citation needed]

Royal Air Pressure C-130K (C.3)
The equal mannequin for export to the UK is the C-130K, recognized by the Royal Air Pressure (RAF) because the Hercules C.1. The C-130H-30 (Hercules C.3 in RAF service) is a stretched model of the unique Hercules, achieved by inserting a 100 in (2.54 m) plug aft of the cockpit and an 80 in (2.03 m) plug on the rear of the fuselage. A single C-130K was bought by the Met Workplace to be used by its Meteorological Analysis Flight, the place it was categorized because the Hercules W.2. This plane was closely modified (with its most distinguished characteristic being the lengthy purple and white striped atmospheric probe on the nostril and the transfer of the climate radar right into a pod above the ahead fuselage). This plane, named Snoopy, was withdrawn in 2001 and was then modified by Marshall of Cambridge Aerospace as flight-testbed for the A400M turbine engine, the TP400. The C-130K is utilized by the RAF Falcons for parachute drops. Three C-130K (Hercules C Mk.1P) have been upgraded and offered to the Austrian Air Pressure in 2002.[11]

Later fashions[edit]
The MC-130E Fight Talon was developed for the USAF throughout the Vietnam Battle to assist particular operations missions in Southeast Asia and led to each the MC-130H Fight Talon II in addition to a household of different particular missions plane. Thirty-seven (37) of the earliest fashions presently working with the Air Pressure Particular Operations Command (AFSOC) are scheduled to get replaced by new-production MC-130J variations. The EC-130 Commando Solo is one other particular missions variant inside AFSOC, albeit operated solely by an AFSOC-gained wing within the Pennsylvania Air Nationwide Guard, and is a psychological operations/data operations (PSYOP/IO) platform outfitted as an aerial radio station and tv stations in a position to transmit messaging over business frequencies. Different variations of the EC-130, most notably the EC-130H Compass Name, are additionally particular variants however are assigned to the Air Fight Command (ACC). The AC-130 gunship was first developed throughout the Vietnam Battle to offer shut air assist and different ground-attack duties.

USAF HC-130P refuels a HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter
The HC-130 is a household of long-range search and rescue variants utilized by the USAF and the U.S. Coast Guard. Geared up for deep deployment of Pararescuemen (PJs), survival gear, and (within the case of USAF variations) aerial refueling of fight rescue helicopters, HC-130s are normally the on-scene command plane for fight SAR missions (USAF solely) and non-combat SAR (USAF and USCG). Early USAF variations have been additionally outfitted with the Fulton surface-to-air restoration system, designed to tug an individual off the bottom utilizing a wire strung from a helium balloon. The John Wayne film The Inexperienced Berets options its use. The Fulton system was later eliminated when aerial refueling of helicopters proved safer and extra versatile. The film The Excellent Storm depicts a real-life SAR mission involving aerial refueling of a New York Air Nationwide Guard HH-60G by a New York Air Nationwide Guard HC-130P.

The C-130R and C-130T are U.S. Navy and USMC fashions, each outfitted with underwing exterior gasoline tanks. The USN C-130T is analogous however has extra avionics enhancements. In each fashions, plane are outfitted with Allison T56-A-16 engines. The USMC variations are designated KC-130R or KC-130T when outfitted with underwing refueling pods and pylons and are totally evening imaginative and prescient system appropriate.

The RC-130 is a reconnaissance model. A single instance is utilized by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Pressure, the plane having initially been offered to the previous Imperial Iranian Air Pressure.

The Lockheed L-100 (L-382) is a civilian variant, equal to a C-130E mannequin with out army gear. The L-100 additionally has two stretched variations.

Subsequent era[edit]
Predominant article: Lockheed Martin C-130J Tremendous Hercules
Within the Nineteen Seventies, Lockheed proposed a C-130 variant with turbofan engines relatively than turboprops, however the U.S. Air Pressure most popular the takeoff efficiency of the present plane. Within the Nineteen Eighties, the C-130 was meant to get replaced by the Superior Medium STOL Transport challenge. The challenge was canceled and the C-130 has remained in manufacturing.

Constructing on classes realized, Lockheed Martin modified a business variant of the C-130 right into a Excessive Know-how Check Mattress (HTTB). This check plane set quite a few quick takeoff and touchdown efficiency data and considerably expanded the database for future derivatives of the C-130.[12] Modifications made to the HTTB included prolonged chord ailerons, a protracted chord rudder, fast-acting double-slotted trailing edge flaps, a high-camber wing modern extension, a bigger dorsal fin and dorsal fins, the addition of three spoiler panels to every wing higher floor, a long-stroke major and nostril touchdown gear system, and adjustments to the flight controls and a change from direct mechanical linkages assisted by hydraulic increase, to totally powered controls, wherein the mechanical linkages from the flight station controls operated solely the hydraulic management valves of the suitable increase unit.[13] The HTTB first flew on 19 June 1984, with civil registration of N130X. After demonstrating many new applied sciences, a few of which have been utilized to the C-130J, the HTTB was misplaced in a deadly accident on 3 February 1993, at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, in Marietta, Georgia.[14] The crash was attributed to disengagement of the rudder fly-by-wire flight management system, leading to a complete lack of rudder management functionality whereas conducting floor minimal management pace exams (Vmcg). The disengagement was a results of the insufficient design of the rudder’s built-in actuator bundle by its producer; the operator’s inadequate system security evaluation failed to think about the results of the insufficient design to all working regimes. An element that contributed to the accident was the flight crew’s lack of engineering flight check coaching.[15]

Within the Nineteen Nineties, the improved C-130J Tremendous Hercules was developed by Lockheed (later Lockheed Martin). This mannequin is the most recent model and the one mannequin in manufacturing. Externally just like the traditional Hercules on the whole look, the J mannequin has new turboprop engines, six-bladed propellers, digital avionics, and different new methods.[16]

Upgrades and adjustments[edit]
In 2000, Boeing was awarded a US$1.4 billion contract to develop an Avionics Modernization Program package for the C-130. This system was beset with delays and price overruns till challenge restructuring in 2007.[17] On 2 September 2009, Bloomberg Information reported that the deliberate Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) improve to the older C-130s could be dropped to offer extra funds for the F-35, CV-22 and airborne tanker alternative applications.[18] Nonetheless, in June 2010, the Division of Protection accepted funding for the preliminary manufacturing of the AMP improve kits.[19][20] Below the phrases of this settlement, the USAF has cleared Boeing to start low-rate preliminary manufacturing (LRIP) for the C-130 AMP. A complete of 198 plane are anticipated to characteristic the AMP improve. The present value per plane is US$14 million though Boeing expects that this value will drop to US$7 million for the 69th plane.[17]

An engine enhancement program saving gasoline and offering decrease temperatures within the T56 engine has been accepted, and the US Air Pressure expects to save lots of $2 billion and lengthen the fleet life.[21]

Substitute[edit]
In October 2010, the Air Pressure launched a capabilities request for data (CRFI) for the event of a brand new airlifter to interchange the C-130. The brand new plane is to hold a 190 p.c better payload and assume the mission of mounted vertical maneuver (MVM). The better payload and mission would allow it to hold medium-weight armored autos and drop them off at areas with out lengthy runways. Varied choices are being thought-about, together with new or upgraded fixed-wing designs, rotorcraft, tilt-rotors, and even an airship. The event may begin in 2014, and turn out to be operational by 2024. The C-130 fleet of round 450 planes would get replaced by solely 250 plane.[22] The Air Pressure had tried to interchange the C-130 within the Nineteen Seventies by means of the Superior Medium STOL Transport challenge, which resulted within the C-17 Globemaster III that as an alternative changed the C-141 Starlifter.[23] The Air Pressure Analysis Laboratory funded Lockheed and Boeing demonstrators for the Velocity Agile idea, which had the purpose of creating a STOL plane that may take off and land at speeds as little as 70 km (130 km/h; 81 mph) on airfields lower than 2,000 ft (610 m) lengthy and cruise at Mach 0.8-plus. Boeing’s design used upper-surface blowing from embedded engines on the inboard wing and blown flaps for circulation management on the outboard wing. Lockheed’s design additionally used blown flaps outboard, however inboard used patented reversing ejector nozzles. Boeing’s design accomplished over 2,000 hours of wind tunnel exams in late 2009. It was a 5 percent-scale mannequin of a narrowbody design with a 55,000 lb (25,000 kg) payload. When the AFRL elevated the payload requirement to 65,000 lb (29,000 kg), they examined a 5% scale mannequin of a widebody design with a 303,000 lb (137,000 kg) take-off gross weight and an "A400M-size" 158 in (4.0 m) vast cargo field. It might be powered by 4 IAE V2533 turbofans.[24] In August 2011, the AFRL launched footage of the Lockheed Velocity Agile idea demonstrator. A 23% scale mannequin went by means of wind tunnel exams to exhibit its hybrid-powered carry, which mixes a low drag airframe with easy mechanical meeting to scale back weight and higher aerodynamics. The mannequin had 4 engines, together with two Williams FJ44 turbofans.[23][25] On 26 March 2013, Boeing was granted a patent for its swept-wing powered carry plane.[26]

As of January 2014, Air Mobility Command, Air Pressure Materiel Command, and the Air Pressure Analysis Lab are within the early levels of defining necessities for the C-X subsequent era airlifter program to interchange each the C-130 and C-17. An plane could be produced from the early 2030s to the 2040s. If necessities are determined for working in contested airspace, Air Pressure procurement of C-130s would finish by the tip of the last decade to not have them serviceable by the 2030s and operated after they cannot carry out in that atmosphere. The event of the airlifter relies upon closely on the Military’s "tactical and operational maneuver" plans. Two completely different cargo planes may nonetheless be created to individually carry out tactical and strategic missions, however which course to pursue is to be determined earlier than C-17s must be retired.[27]

Operational historical past[edit]

USMC KC-130F Hercules performing takeoffs and landings aboard the plane service Forrestal in 1963. The plane is now displayed on the Nationwide Museum of Naval Aviation.
The primary manufacturing plane, C-130As have been first delivered starting in 1956 to the 463d Troop Service Wing at Ardmore AFB, Oklahoma and the 314th Troop Service Wing at Sewart AFB, Tennessee. Six extra squadrons have been assigned to the 322d Air Division in Europe and the 315th Air Division within the Far East. Further plane have been modified for electronics intelligence work and assigned to Rhein-Predominant Air Base, Germany whereas modified RC-130As have been assigned to the Navy Air Transport Service (MATS) photo-mapping division.

In 1958, a U.S. reconnaissance C-130A-II of the 7406th Assist Squadron was shot down over Armenia by MiG-17s.[28]

Australia grew to become the primary non-American pressure to function the C-130A Hercules with 12 examples being delivered from late 1958. These plane have been fitted with AeroProducts three-blade, 15-foot diameter propellers. The Royal Canadian Air Pressure grew to become one other early consumer with the supply of 4 B-models (Canadian designation C-130 Mk I) in October / November 1960.[29]

In 1963, a Hercules achieved and nonetheless holds the document for the biggest and heaviest plane to land on an plane service.[30] Throughout October and November that 12 months, a USMC KC-130F (BuNo 149798), loaned to the U.S. Naval Air Check Heart, made 29 touch-and-go landings, 21 unarrested full-stop landings and 21 unassisted take-offs on Forrestal at various completely different weights.[31] The pilot, LT (later RADM) James H. Flatley III, USN, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his position on this check collection. The exams have been extremely profitable, however the thought was thought-about too dangerous for routine "Service Onboard Supply" (COD) operations. As a substitute, the Grumman C-2 Greyhound was developed as a devoted COD plane. The Hercules used within the check, most lately in service with Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 352 (VMGR-352) till 2005, is now a part of the gathering of the Nationwide Museum of Naval Aviation at NAS Pensacola, Florida.

In 1964, C-130 crews from the 6315th Operations Group at Naha Air Base, Okinawa commenced ahead air management (FAC; "Flare") missions over the Ho Chi Minh Path in Laos supporting USAF strike plane. In April 1965 the mission was expanded to North Vietnam the place C-130 crews led formations of B-57 bombers on evening reconnaissance/strike missions in opposition to communist provide routes resulting in South Vietnam. In early 1966 Undertaking Blind Bat/Lamplighter was established at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand. After the transfer to Ubon the mission grew to become a four-engine FAC mission with the C-130 crew trying to find targets then calling in strike plane. One other little-known C-130 mission flown by Naha-based crews was Operation Commando Scarf, which concerned the supply of chemical substances onto sections of the Ho Chi Minh Path in Laos that have been designed to supply mud and landslides in hopes of creating the truck routes impassable.[citation needed]

In November 1964, on the opposite facet of the globe, C-130Es from the 464th Troop Service Wing however loaned to 322d Air Division in France, flew some of the dramatic missions in historical past within the former Belgian Congo. After communist Simba rebels took white residents of town of Stanleyville hostage, the U.S. and Belgium developed a joint rescue mission that used the C-130s to airlift after which drop and air-land a pressure of Belgian paratroopers to rescue the hostages. Two missions have been flown, one over Stanleyville and one other over Paulis throughout Thanksgiving weeks.[32] The headline-making mission resulted within the first award of the distinguished MacKay Trophy to C-130 crews.

Within the Indo-Pakistani Battle of 1965, as a determined measure, the transport No. 6 Squadron of the Pakistan Air Pressure modified its total small fleet of C-130Bs to be used as heavy bombers, able to carrying as much as 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) of bombs on pallets. These improvised bombers have been used to hit Indian targets corresponding to bridges, heavy artillery positions, tank formations, and troop concentrations.[33][34] Some C-130s even flew with anti-aircraft weapons fitted on their ramp, apparently capturing down some 17 plane and damaging 16 others.[35]

The C-130 Hercules was used within the Battle of Kham Duc in 1968, when the North Vietnamese Military pressured U.S.-led forces to desert the Kham Duc Particular Forces Camp.
In October 1968, a C-130Bs from the 463rd Tactical Airlift Wing dropped a pair of M-121 10,000 pound bombs that had been developed for the large B-36 bomber however had by no means been used. The U.S. Military and U.S. Air Pressure resurrected the massive weapons as a method of clearing touchdown zones for helicopters and in early 1969 the 463rd commenced Commando Vault missions. Though the said objective of COMMANDO VAULT was to clear LZs, they have been additionally used on enemy base camps and different targets.[citation needed]

Through the late Sixties, the U.S. was desperate to get data on Chinese language nuclear capabilities. After the failure of the Black Cat Squadron to plant working sensor pods close to the Lop Nur Nuclear Weapons Check Base utilizing a Lockheed U-2, the CIA developed a plan, named Heavy Tea, to deploy two battery-powered sensor pallets close to the bottom. To deploy the pallets, a Black Bat Squadron crew was educated within the U.S. to fly the C-130 Hercules. The crew of 12, led by Col Solar Pei Zhen, took off from Takhli Royal Thai Air Pressure Base in an unmarked U.S. Air Pressure C-130E on 17 Might 1969. Flying for six and a half hours at low altitude at the hours of darkness, they arrived over the goal and the sensor pallets have been dropped by parachute close to Anxi in Gansu province. After one other six and a half hours of low altitude flight, they arrived again at Takhli. The sensors labored and uploaded information to a U.S. intelligence satellite tv for pc for six months earlier than their batteries wore out. The Chinese language performed two nuclear exams, on 22 September 1969 and 29 September 1969, throughout the working lifetime of the sensor pallets. One other mission to the realm was deliberate as Operation Golden Whip, however was referred to as off in 1970.[36] It’s almost certainly that the plane used on this mission was both C-130E serial quantity 64-0506 or 64-0507 (cn 382-3990 and 382-3991). These two plane have been delivered to Air America in 1964.[37] After being returned to the U.S. Air Pressure someday between 1966 and 1970, they have been assigned the serial numbers of C-130s that had been destroyed in accidents. 64-0506 is now flying as 62-1843, a C-130E that crashed in Vietnam on 20 December 1965 and 64-0507 is now flying as 63-7785, a C-130E that had crashed in Vietnam on 17 June 1966.[38]

The A-model continued in service by means of the Vietnam Battle, the place the plane assigned to the 4 squadrons at Naha AB, Okinawa and one at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan carried out yeoman’s service, together with working extremely categorized particular operations missions such because the BLIND BAT FAC/Flare mission and FACT SHEET leaflet mission over Laos and North Vietnam. The A-model was additionally supplied to the South Vietnamese Air Pressure as a part of the Vietnamization program on the finish of the battle, and outfitted three squadrons based mostly at Tan Son Nhut AFB. The final operator on the planet is the Honduran Air Pressure, which remains to be flying certainly one of 5 A mannequin Hercules (FAH 558, c/n 3042) as of October 2009.[39] Because the Vietnam Battle wound down, the 463rd Troop Service/Tactical Airlift Wing B-models and A-models of the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing have been transferred again to the US the place most have been assigned to Air Pressure Reserve and Air Nationwide Guard items.

U.S. Marines disembark from C-130 transports on the Da Nang Airbase on 8 March 1965
One other distinguished position for the B mannequin was with the US Marine Corps, the place Hercules initially designated as GV-1s changed C-119s. After Air Pressure C-130Ds proved the kind’s usefulness in Antarctica, the U.S. Navy bought various B-models outfitted with skis that have been designated as LC-130s. C-130B-II digital reconnaissance plane have been operated underneath the SUN VALLEY program title primarily from Yokota Air Base, Japan. All reverted to straightforward C-130B cargo plane after their alternative within the reconnaissance position by different plane.

The C-130 was additionally used within the 1976 Entebbe raid wherein Israeli commando forces carried a shock assault to rescue 103 passengers of an airliner hijacked by Palestinian and German terrorists at Entebbe Airport, Uganda. The rescue pressure — 200 troopers, jeeps, and a black Mercedes-Benz (meant to resemble Ugandan Dictator Idi Amin’s automobile of state) — was flown over 2,200 nmi (4,074 km; 2,532 mi) nearly solely at an altitude of lower than 100 ft (30 m) from Israel to Entebbe by 4 Israeli Air Pressure (IAF) Hercules plane with out mid-air refueling (on the best way again, the planes refueled in Nairobi, Kenya).

Through the Falklands Battle (Spanish: Guerra de las Malvinas) of 1982, Argentine Air Pressure C-130s undertook extremely harmful, every day re-supply evening flights as blockade runners to the Argentine garrison on the Falkland Islands. In addition they carried out daylight maritime survey flights. One was misplaced throughout the battle. Argentina additionally operated two KC-130 tankers throughout the battle, and these refueled each the Douglas A-4 Skyhawks and Navy Dassault-Breguet Tremendous Étendards; some C-130s have been modified to function as bombers with bomb-racks underneath their wings. The British additionally used RAF C-130s to assist their logistical operations.

USMC C-130T Fats Albert performing a rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO)
Through the Gulf Battle of 1991 (Operation Desert Storm), the C-130 Hercules was used operationally by the U.S. Air Pressure, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, together with the air forces of Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and the UK. The MC-130 Fight Talon variant additionally made the primary assaults utilizing the biggest standard bombs on the planet, the BLU-82 "Daisy Cutter" and GBU-43/B "Large Ordnance Air Blast" bomb, (MOAB). Daisy Cutters have been used to clear touchdown zones and to eradicate minefields. The burden and dimension of the weapons make it unimaginable or impractical to load them on standard bombers. The GBU-43/B MOAB is a successor to the BLU-82 and may carry out the identical perform, in addition to carry out strike features in opposition to hardened targets in a low air risk atmosphere.

Since 1992, two successive C-130 plane named Fats Albert have served because the assist plane for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration workforce. Fats Albert I used to be a TC-130G (151891),[40] whereas Fats Albert II is a C-130T (164763).[41] Though Fats Albert helps a Navy squadron, it’s operated by the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and its crew consists solely of USMC personnel. At some air exhibits that includes the workforce, Fats Albert takes half, performing flyovers. Till 2009, it additionally demonstrated its rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO) capabilities; these ended attributable to dwindling provides of rockets.[42]

The AC-130 additionally holds the document for the longest sustained flight by a C-130. From 22 to 24 October 1997, two AC-130U gunships flew 36 hours nonstop from Hurlburt Subject Florida to Taegu (Daegu), South Korea whereas being refueled seven instances by KC-135 tanker plane. This document flight shattered the earlier document longest flight by over 10 hours whereas the 2 gunships took on 410,000 lb (190,000 kg) of gasoline. The gunship has been utilized in each main U.S. fight operation since Vietnam, apart from Operation El Dorado Canyon, the 1986 assault on Libya.[43]

C-130 Hercules performs a tactical touchdown on a mud strip
Through the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and the continuing assist of the Worldwide Safety Help Pressure (Operation Enduring Freedom), the C-130 Hercules has been used operationally by Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, the UK and the US.

Through the 2003 invasion of Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom), the C-130 Hercules was used operationally by Australia, the UK and the US. After the preliminary invasion, C-130 operators as a part of the Multinational pressure in Iraq used their C-130s to assist their forces in Iraq.

Since 2004, the Pakistan Air Pressure has employed C-130s within the Battle in North-West Pakistan. Some variants had forward-looking infrared (FLIR Methods Star Safire III EO/IR) sensor balls, to allow shut monitoring of Islamist militants.[44]

Civilian[edit]

A C-130E fitted with a MAFFS-1 dropping fireplace retardant
The U.S. Forest Service developed the Modular Airborne FireFighting System for the C-130 within the Nineteen Seventies, which permits common plane to be quickly transformed to an air tanker for combating wildfires.[45] Within the late Nineteen Eighties, 22 retired USAF C-130As have been faraway from storage at Davis-Monthan Air Pressure Base and transferred to the U.S. Forest Service who then offered them to 6 non-public firms to be transformed into air tankers (see U.S. Forest Service air tanker scandal). After certainly one of these plane crashed attributable to wing separation in flight on account of fatigue stress cracking, your entire fleet of C-130A air tankers was completely grounded in 2004 (see 2002 airtanker crashes). C-130s have been used to unfold chemical dispersants onto the large oil slick within the Gulf Coast in 2010.[46]

A latest growth of a C-130–based mostly airtanker is the Retardant Aerial Supply System developed by Coulson Aviation USA . The system consists of a C-130H/Q retrofitted with an in-floor discharge system, mixed with a detachable 3,500- or 4,000-gallon water tank. The mixed system is FAA licensed.[47]

Variants[edit]

C-130H Hercules flight deck

A U.S. JC-130 plane retrieving a reconnaissance satellite tv for pc movie capsule underneath parachute.

C-130s from the: U.S., Canada, Australia and Israel (foreground to background)

RAAF C-130J-30 at Level Cook dinner, 2006

Brazilian Air Pressure C-130 (L-382)
For civilian variations, see Lockheed L-100 Hercules.
Important army variants of the C-130 embody:

C-130A/B/E/F/G/H/Okay/T
Tactical airlifter fundamental fashions
C-130A-II Dreamboat
Early model Digital Intelligence/Indicators Intelligence (ELINT/SIGINT) plane[48]
C-130J Tremendous Hercules
Tactical airlifter, with new engines, avionics, and up to date methods
C-130K
Designation for RAF Hercules C1/W2/C3 plane (C-130Js in RAF service are the Hercules C.4 and Hercules C.5)
AC-130A/E/H/J/U/W
Gunship variants
C-130D/D-6
Ski-equipped model for snow and ice operations United States Air Pressure / Air Nationwide Guard
CC-130E/H/J Hercules
Designation for Canadian Armed Forces / Royal Canadian Air Pressure Hercules plane. U.S. Air Pressure used the CC-130J designation to distinguish customary C-130Js from "stretched" C-130Js (Firm designation C-130J-30s).
DC-130A/E/H
USAF and USN Drone management
EC-130
EC-130E/J Commando Solo – USAF / Air Nationwide Guard psychological operations model
EC-130E – Airborne Battlefield Command and Management Heart (ABCCC)
EC-130E Rivet Rider – Airborne psychological warfare plane
EC-130H Compass Name – Digital warfare and digital assault.[49]
EC-130V – Airborne early warning and management (AEW&C) variant utilized by USCG for counter-narcotics missions[50]
GC-130
Completely Grounded "Static Show"
HC-130
HC-130B/E/H – Early mannequin fight search and rescue
HC-130P/N Fight King – USAF aerial refueling tanker and fight search and rescue
HC-130J Fight King II – Subsequent-generation fight search and rescue tanker
HC-130H/J – USCG long-range surveillance and search and rescue
JC-130
Non permanent conversion for flight check operations
KC-130F/R/T/J
United States Marine Corps aerial refueling tanker and tactical airlifter
LC-130F/H/R
USAF / Air Nationwide Guard – Ski-equipped model for Arctic and Antarctic assist operations; LC-130F beforehand operated by USN
MC-130
MC-130E/H Fight Talon I/II – Particular operations infiltration/extraction variant
MC-130W Fight Spear/Dragon Spear – Particular operations tanker/gunship[51]
MC-130P Fight Shadow – Particular operations tanker
MC-130J Commando II (previously Fight Shadow II) – Particular operations tanker Air Pressure Particular Operations Command[52]
YMC-130H – Modified plane underneath Operation Credible Sport for second Iran hostage disaster rescue try
NC-130
Everlasting conversion for flight check operations
PC-130/C-130-MP
Maritime patrol
RC-130A/S
Surveillance plane for reconnaissance
SC-130J Sea Herc
Proposed maritime patrol model of the C-130J, designed for coastal surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.[53][54]
TC-130
Aircrew coaching
VC-130H
VIP transport
WC-130A/B/E/H/J
Climate reconnaissance ("Hurricane Hunter") model for USAF / Air Pressure Reserve Command’s 53d Climate Reconnaissance Squadron in assist of the Nationwide Climate Service’s Nationwide Hurricane Heart