C-130 Hercules
IOC: 1956
Total Production: 2,337
Total Program's Cost: USD$25 billion
WC-130J
IOC: 2005
Production: 10
Also Known As
Hurricane Hunter (nickname)
WeatherBird (nickname)
Origin
United States of America
Contractor/s
Lockheed Martin
Family Members
AC-130U Spooky
C-130H Hercules
C-130J Super Hercules
CC-130J Super Hercules
EC-130J Commando Solo
KC-130J Super Hercules
MC-130H Talon II
MC-130J
MC-130W Combat Spear
Power plant:
AE 2100D3 (4)
Sensors & Communications:
AN/ALR-56
AN/APN-241
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Description:
The C-130 Hercules is a medium-size transport aircraft designed to operate from rough dirt strips. The first prototype, the YC-130A, maiden flight took place in 1954. The first model C-130A achieved initial operational capability in December1956 becoming thereafter the most important cargo transport aircraft of the free world. Since then, the C-130s had assumed a wide range of military tasks such as airlift, airdrop, reconnaissance, special operations, close air support, electronic warfare, air refueling, etc.
To date, more than 2,200 C-130s in 70 variants to five basic models (A, B , E, H and J) have been produced. Currently, the majority of C-130s in service belong to the E, H and J basic models introduced in the early 1960s, in the 1970s and late 1990s respectively. The US Air Force, Navy and Marines operate the C-130 aircraft as well as the air forces of 66 other nations worldwide. The US Air Force plans to convert the surviving E and H models to the C-130AMP (Avionics Modernization Program) configuration beginning in 2007. AMP covers avionics modernization and some engine improvements.
The C-130 features an aft loading ramp and door and is able to accommodate a wide variety of oversized cargo, including everything from utility helicopters and 6 wheeled armored vehicles to standard palletized cargo and military personnel. The Hercules can be configured to carry out different missions and re-configured to its original cargo transport mission.
The C-130J Hercules II is the latest and most advanced derivative of the proven C-130 cargo aircraft and will replace ageing C-130Es aircraft. It incorporates state-of-the-art technology to reduce manpower requirements, operating, support, and life cycle costs over current C-130s. The J model also features improved maneuverability and handling, shorter runaways needs for taking off and landing than previous models. The new turboprops AE 2100D3 engines with 6 blades are one of the keys of the C-130J improved performance.
The C-130J achieved initial operational capability in 1999. The WC-130J is a derivative of the C-130J tactical transport aircraft specially modified to perform weather reconnaissance missions. The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base in Missouri received eight aircraft in 1999 and two more in 2000 totaling 10 WC-130Js. Assigned to hurricane hunting the new aircraft has 29% more thrust than those it replaced, which means WC-130J can fly higher and faster. It can reach 28,000-ft (8,500 meters) in 14 minutes and it's a lot more fuel efficient than its predecessor allowing to go farther.
WC-130J inherits C-130J glass cockpit and avionics, including two head-up displays and computers, which represent reduced workload for aircrews and allowing crew members to spend more time on mission work. The United States National Hurricane Center gets all the weather information needed from the plane straight from the eye of the storm. Then forecasters can use the data to provide a more trustworthy hurricanes and/or storms path prediction.
The WC-130J storm hunter aircraft was deployed for the first time ever on 20 May 2005 by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, dubbed Hurricane Hunters, based at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Hurricane Adrian appeared in the Pacific off the coast of Central America and was threatening El Salvador. The first flight mission lasted for over 11 hours.
Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 3, Passengers 64
Dimensions: Height 11.4 m, Length 29.3 m, Wingspan 39.7 m
Weights: Max Weight 70,308 kg (155,000 lb), Payload 21,151 kg (46,629 lb)
Performance: Ceiling 10,058 m (32,999 ft), Max Range 4,390 km (2,370 nm), Top Speed 196 mps (Mach 0.59)
Power: Power 18,364 shp
Other: Number of Engines 4
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United States of America / 10 