C-130 Hercules Cargo Aircraft (2024)

C-130 Hercules Design & Mission

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin.

Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport aircraft.

C-130 Model Evolution

Four decades have elapsed since the U.S. Air Force issued its original design specification, yet the C-130 remains in production.

The initial production model was the C-130A, with four Allison turboprop engines. A total of 219 were ordered and deliveries began in December 1956.

The C-130B introduced Allison T56-A-7 turboprop engines and the first of 134 aircraft of this model entered USAF service in May 1959. Introduced in August of 1962, the 389 C-130Es that were ordered used the same Allison T56-A-7 engine, but added two 1,290 gallon external fuel tanks and an increased maximum takeoff weight capability.

In June of 1974, the first of 308 C-130Hs were delivered, with the more powerful Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engine. Nearly identical to the C-130E externally, the new engine brought major performance improvements to the aircraft.

The latest C-130 to be produced, the C-130J, entered the inventory in February 1999. With the noticeable difference of a six-bladed composite propeller coupled to a Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 turboprop engine, the C-130J brings substantial performance improvements over all previous models. The C-130J-30, a stretch version with a 15-foot fuselage extension, increases the capabilities even more.

The Hercules is similar is size and role to the Airbus A400M.

Major C-130 Variants

C-130 Hercules Deployment

Today, the C-130 Hercules primarily performs the tactical portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for airdropping troops and equipment into hostile areas.

The C-130 operates throughout the U.S. Air Force, serving with Air Mobility Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces, Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command, fulfilling a wide range of operational missions in both peace and war situations.

The C-130 is also a key aircraft in the air forces of many allied countries, including France, Egypt, Pakistan, Spain, Kuwait, the UAE and more. (see images below on this page)

C-130 Photos by Airplanes Online

AC-130 gunship at the Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin, AFB, Florida

C-130 Hercules in the Air Forces of the World

C-130s of the U.S. Air Force

U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules in D-Day paint scheme in 2019 (left 15736 - right 8609) (Photos by DELEHELLE Eric)

C-130s of the French Air Force

C-130 Hercules 61-PM of the French Air Force, painted to mark the 30th Anniversary of the C-130 in French service (Photos by DELEHELLE Eric)

C-130 of the Egyptian Air Force

C-130 of the Belgian Air Force

C-130 of the Hellenic Air Force

C-130s of the Royal Netherlands Air Force

C-130H Hercules G-988 of the of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (Photos by DELEHELLE Eric)

C-130 of the Oman Air Force

C-130 of the Romanian Air Force

C-130 of the UAE Air Force

C-130 of the Kuwait Air Force

C-130s of the Pakistan Air Force

C-130 of the Royal Saudi Air Force

C-130 of the Swedish Air Force

C-130s at Cannon AFB in New Mexico

C-130s in Storage at Davis-Monthan AFB's AMARG Facility

HC-130H7 Hercules 1700 of the U.S. Coast Guard, Barbers Point; originally ordered by the USAF as S/N 82-0081. Seen in this photo in storage at AMARG. (309th AMARG photo)

C-130H Hercules of the U.S. Air Force, S/N 78-0809, 911 AW, with nose art "We Have Not Forgotten", in storage at AMARG (309th AMARG photo)