Wikipedia

Draft:List of Lockheed C-130 Hercules Variants

C-130 Hercules
Aerial view of cargo aircraft, flying over cloud cover
A US Air National Guard C-130J-30 from the 175th Wing
Role Tactical airlifter
National origin United States
Manufacturer
First flight 23 August 1954
Introduction December 1956
Status In service, in production
Primary users United States Air Force
68 other users (see List of Lockheed C-130 Hercules operators)
Number built 2,500+

Pre-Production variants

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YC-130A

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Deisgnation for the two pre-production models built to meet a 1951 USAF requirement for a new combat transport aircraft capable of carrying 92 passengers, 72 combat troops or 64 paratroopers. Powered by four Allison T56-A-1A, the second aircraft, serial number 53-3397, was the first to fly, completeing its first flight on 23 August 1954 from the Lockheed plant in Burbank, California.YC-130 53-3397 was scrapped in Indianapolis in 1962.[1]

C-130A-LM 55-031

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Transport variants

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C-130A

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First production model.

C-130B

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C-130E

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C-130G

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C-130H

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C-130H-30

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C-130T

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C-130T-30

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Converted KC-130T-30s transferred to the US Navy.

C-130J Super Hercules

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Main article: Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules

C-130J-30

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C-130K / British models

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Hercules C.1

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First British C-130 model, entered service in 1967.[2]

Hercules C.2

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British C-130E model

Hercules C.3

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Hercules model lengthened by 15ft. [2]

Hercules C.4

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British C-130J-30 with refueling probe.

Hercules C.5

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British C-130J with refueling probe.

Hercules W.2 "Snoopy"

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A weather reconnaissance model derived from a Hercules C.1 in 1974 featuring a red-and-white striped nose cone extension and pod above the cockpit. Operated by the Royal Aircraft Establishment

Hercules W.2 XV208

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Original Hercules W.2 without the weather instruments, converted to serve as a test bed for the Airbus A400M Atlas Europrop TP400 turboprop engine.

Other foreign models

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CC-130E

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Royal Canadian Air Force designation for the C-130E model.

CC-130H

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Royal Canadian Air Force designation for the C-130H model. Primarily used for search and rescue operations over airlifting. [3]

CC-130H(T)

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Royal Canadian Air Force designation for the KC-130H model. Used for aerial refueling and airlift operations.

CC-130J

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Royal Canadian Air Force designation for the C-130J-30 model. Primarily used for airlift operations. [4]

C-130M

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Brazilian Air Force modified C-130H aircraft.

C-130R

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Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force ex-USAF KC-130Rs with refueling equipment removed. Six converted.

C-130BM

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Turkish Air Force C-130B upgrade designation under the TAI ERCIYES program.

C-130EM

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Turkish Air Force C-130E upgrade designation under the TAI ERCIYES program.

Gunship Models

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Main article: Lockheed AC-130

AC-130A Spectre

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Converted C-130As, retired in 1995.

AC-130E Spectre

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Converted C-130E's.

AC-130H Spectre

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Upgraded AC-130E's, retired in 2015.

AC-130U Spooky

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Third generation, based the C-130H. Retired in June 2020.

AC-130W Stinger II

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Converted MC-130W Dragon Spears, retired in July 2022.

AC-130J Ghostrider

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Based on the MC-130J. Operated by the 73rd Special Operations Squadron of the USAF.

Drone Control Models

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Main article: Lockheed DC-130

DC-130A

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Converted C-130As, designed to carry four four drones (usually BGM-34 Firbees or AQM-34s), two under each wing. Used in the development for the AQM-91A Compass Arrow and Lockheed Senior Prom programs. Transfered to the US Navy following the introduction of the DC-130E.

DC-130E

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Converted C-130Es, designed to be able to carry up to four drones. Featured improved controlling systems and electronics in the nose of the aircraft. Used by the US Navy during the 2003 Invasion of Iraq to conduct chaff bombing. Retired in the early 2000s.

DC-130H

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One converted C-130H, able to carry up to four drones and control up to 16 drones simultaneously.

Electronic and Command Models

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Main article: Lockheed EC-130

EC-130E ABCCC

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Based on the C-130E, the EC-130E Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center was an airborne command post. Reitred in 2002, replaced by the E-8 JSTARS and E-3 Sentry.

EC-130E Commando Solo

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Pyschological warfare variant based on the C-130E. Retired in 2004, replaced by the EC-130J Commando Solo III.

EC-130E Rivet Rider

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A version of the Commando Solo outiftted with VHF and UHF Worldwide format color TV, a vertical trailing wire antenna, infra-red countermeasures [chaff/flare dispensers plus infrared jammers], fire suppressant foam in fuel tanks, a radar warning receiver, an X-antennae on the vertical stabilizer, and a self-contained navigation system. The modification also added two equipment pods on the underwing pylons.

EC-130G

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Submarine communications aircraft. Converted from four US Navy C-130Gs, they were outfitted with VLF transmitters to provide communications with ballistic missile submarines. Three were converted back to transport models without cargo ramps as TC-130Gs, one of which served with the Blue Angels.[5]

EC-130Q

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US Navy version fitted with permanently-installed VLF transmitters to provide communications with ballistic missile submarines. Retired in 1993.

EC-130V/NC-130H

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Airborne early warning and control variant used by USCG for counter-narcotics missions in 1991. It was used by the U.S. Navy from 1992 to 1994 and then transferred to the USAF as the NC-130H.

EC-130H Compass Call Baseline 1

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Main article: EC-130H Compass Call

Electronic Warfare variant, based on the C-130H. Designed for jamming communications, radar and command-and-control targets. Entered service in 1982.

EC-130H Compass Call Baseline 2

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An improvement over the Baseline 1 fleet, designed to ease operator workload and improve effectiveness. Baseline 2 provides better situational awareness, improved satellite communications, and upgraded datalink terminals. To be replaced by the EC-37B Compass Call, which is to enter service in 2023.[6]

EC-130J Commando Solo III

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Pyschological warfare variant modified from a C-130J in 2003 to conduct civil affairs broadcast operations in Am, FM, HF, TV and military communications bands. Operated by the 193rd Special Operations Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard. Retired in September 2022.

Search and Rescue Models

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Main article: Lockheed HC-130

HC-130B

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Rescue version of the C-130B for United States Coast Guard (USCG) introduced in 1959, formerly R8V-1G and SC-130B.

HC-130E

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Modified version of the C-130E for rescue operations by the USCG. Introduced in 1964.

HC-130H

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Combat search and rescue (CSAR) version of the C-130E and C-130H for the USAF and USCG. USAF models were outfitted with the Fulton surface-to-air recovery system. Several USAF airframes were later upgraded to HC-130Ps.

HC-130P Combat King

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Extended range version of the HC-130H, featuring additional internal tanks and refueling pods on the underwing pylons. Based off the C-130E initially, with later airframes in the 1980's and 1990's based off the C-130H.

HC-130P/N Combat King

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New-build HC-130P's without the Fulton surface-to-air recovery system installed. Some HC-130Ps were upgraded to this by removing the recovery system as well.

HC-130J

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Modified version of the C-130J for USCG resuce operations.

HC-130J Combat King II

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CSAR version of the C-130J for the USAF, featuring refueling pods on the underwing pylons and the ability to recieve fuel in flight from boom-equipped tankers. HC-130Js lack an enlisted Flight Enginner position, but maintains a Combat Systems Officer or Navigator position.

Tanker Models

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Main article: Lockheed Martin KC-130

KC-130B

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Six C-130Bs converted into in-flight refuellers. Four are in service with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (to be upgraded to KC-130H standard), and one is in service with the Indonesian Air Force.

KC-130F

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Enhanced KC-130B, 46 built. Introduced in 1962, retired in 2006.

KC-130H

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Version of the C-130H for tanker operations. 33 built, in addition to several JASDF C-130Hs modified for tanker operations.

KC-130R

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14 former USAF aircraft transferred to the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Six were sold to the JMSDF with refueling equipment removed as C-130Rs. Intorduced in 1976, retired in 2007.

KC-130T

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Variant of the C-130H, 28 built. Introduced in 1983, retired in 2021.

KC-130T-30

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Variant of the C-130H-30, 2 built. Later converted to C-130T-30s.

KC-130J

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Variant of the C-130J. Introduced in 2004, 52 built.

KC-130J Harvest HAWK

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Overwatch and ground Support upgrade for the KC-130J. Capable of deploying 8 AGM-114 Hellfire or 10 AGM-176 Griffin missiles, precision-guided bombs, and eventually a 30mm cannon in a later update. Also outfitted with an AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight System. Entered service in 2010.

Ski-Equipped Models

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Main article: Lockheed LC-130

C-130D

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Converted C-130As, equipped with skis and hydraulics. 13 built, introduced in 1959.

UV-1L

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Variant of the C-130B, the first factory-produced models with skis. Introduced to the US Navy in 1959, four built.

C-130BL

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Redesignation of the UV-1L.

LC-130F Skibird

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Redesignation of the C-130BL under the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system

LC-130R Skibird

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Updated model first procured in 1968, and later procured in two batches in 1974 and 1976. Six built.

LC-130H-2 Skibird

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Improved model operated by VXE-6. Three converted from LC-130R, four built.

LC-130H-3 Skibird

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Variant of the C-130H, three built.

LC-130H-3 NP2000 Skibird

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Upgraded model of the LC-130H-3, with eight NP2000 propellers

Special Operations Models

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Main article: Lockheed MC-130

MC-130E Combat Talon

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MC-130P Combat Shadow

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MC-130H Combat Talon II

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MC-130W Combat Spear

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MC-130J Commando II

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MC-130J Commando II Amphibious Capability

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Reconnaissance Models

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Main article: Lockheed RC-130

C-130A-II Dreamboat

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C-130B-II Dreamboat

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RC-130A

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RC-130B

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RC-130S

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RC-130H Khofash

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Variant of the C-130H used by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.

Weather Reconnaissance Models

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WC-130B

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Variant of the C-130B introduced in 1962. Modified for air sampling, retired in 1973.

WC-130E

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Variant of the C-130E introduced in 1965 to replace six WB-47Es. Modified with the AMT-1 dropsonde system. In 1989, they were upgraded with the Improved Weather Reconnaissance System, which utilized the Omega Navigation System previosuly used on the WC-130H. Retired in 1993.

WC-130A

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Converted from the C-130A to conduct weather reconnaissance and cloud-seeding in Vietnam, particularily for Operation Popeye. Three converted, all later reverted to the C-130A model in 1971.

WC-130H

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Converted HC-130Hs modified with Seek Cloud equipment between 1973 and 1975. Further upgraded in 1987 by Tracor Aerospace, giving them IWRS suites. 15 converted from HC-130H, retired in 2005.

WC-130J Weatherbird

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Variant of the C-130J for weather reconnaissance currently in service with the USAF. Introduced in 1999, 10 built.

Civilian Models

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Main article: Lockheed L-100

L-100 Model 382

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L-100 Model 382B

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L-100-20 Model 382E

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L-100-20 Model 382F

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L-100-30 Model 382G

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LM-100J Model 382J

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L-400 Twin Hercules

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Other Models

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GC-130

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Permanently grounded airframes for instructional purposes.

JC-130A

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Temporary conversion for flight test operations; used to recover drones and spy satellite film capsules.

TC-130

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Training model for aircrew.

NC-130A

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NC-130B

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TC-130A

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C-130 Amphibian

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C-130E MAFFS

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C-130B BLC

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C-130 V/STOL Proposals

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XFC-130H

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reference articles to use: https://www.c-130.net/aircraft-database/C-130/serials-and-inventory/airforce/USAF/ https://www.aerospaceutah.org/nc-130b-hercules/ https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/nc-130.htm https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=10442 https://www.theaviationzone.com/lockheed-jc-130/ https://www.buyoutfootage.com/pages/titles/pd_na_594.php https://www.c-130.net/index.php?module=%20AircraftDB&func=view_airframes_byyear&year=No%20FY&actype=C-130

  1. ^ Swopes, Bryan. "23 August 1954". This Day in Avaiation. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b "The Hercules in RAF Service". Royal Air Force.
  3. ^ "CC-130H Hercules". Government of Canada. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  4. ^ "CC-130J Hercules". Government of Canada. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  5. ^ "EC-130G/Q TACAMO". Global Security. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  6. ^ "EC-37B Compass Call". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
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