C-130 Hercules
IOC: 1956
Total Production: 2,337
Total Program's Cost: USD$25 billion
KC-130J Super Hercules
IOC: 2003
Production: 85
Unitary Cost: USD$66 million
Also Known As
Battle Herks
Super Hercules
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
MC-130H Talon II
MC-130J
MC-130W Combat Spear
WC-130J
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 KC-130J is an air tanker aircraft derived from the shorter fuselage C-130J cargo aircraft. It provides in-flight refueling for both tactical aircraft and helicopters and can refuel two aircraft simultaneously. They have a 57,500 pound (8,455 US gallons) fuel offload capability while being flown on a 500 nm (900 km) radius mission. The KC-130J is also configured to accept a fuselage tank, which adds another 24,392 pounds (3,600 US gallons) of available offload to a mission.
The USMC plans to purchase up to 79 KC-130J for the replacement of current KC-130F/R/T tankers. According to some sources the total number of KC-130J required by the USMC could be as high as 107 to provide in-flight refueling services to MV-22 and F-35 aircraft fleets well into the 21st century.
In late April 2004, following the KC-130J operational testing program carried out between October 2003 and January 2003, the USMC officials recommended full fleet introduction of KC-130J tanker aircraft. During the testing the new tanker aircraft outperformed KC-130T while demonstrating increased capabilities over legacy KC-130s.
The US Marine Corps exercised an option for a second KC-130J Weapons System Trainer (WST) on February 2, 2005, as part of a contract worth $73 million signed in 2004. The USMC retained an option on a third KC-130J WST. As of early 2005, Marines had 33 KC-130J tanker aircraft on order with 15 tankers delivered at that time.
The Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana) began C-130J procurement in 1997 with an order for 18 aircraft, two more aircraft were ordered in 1999 and two more in 2000 totaling 22 C-130J Super Hercules. These aircraft replaced aging C-130Hs operated by Italy. Six of the 12 short fuselage C1-30Js were modified to KC-130J tanker aircraft adding a capability the Italian Air Force has not had previously.
Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 5
Dimensions: Height 11.4 m, Length 29.3 m, Wingspan 39.7 m
Weights: Max Weight 70,308 kg (155,000 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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Italy / 6 
United States of America / 79 