C-130 hercules performance
Fantastic C130 aircraft landing at Eglin AFB
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin).
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. Basic and specialized versions of the aircraft airframe perform a diverse number of roles, including airlift support, Antarctic ice resupply, aeromedical missions, weather reconnaissance, aerial spray missions, firefighting duties for the U.S. Forest Service and natural disaster relief missions.
Features of C-130 hercules
Using its aft loading ramp and door, the C-130 can accommodate a wide variety of oversized cargo, including everything from utility helicopters and six-wheeled armored vehicles to standard palletized cargo and military personnel. In an aerial delivery role, it can airdrop loads up to 42,000 pounds or use its high-flotation landing gear to land and deliver cargo on rough, dirt strips.
The flexible design of the Hercules enables it to be configured for many different missions, allowing one aircraft to perform the role of many. Much of the special mission equipment added to the Hercules is removable, allowing the aircraft to return to its cargo delivery role if desired. Additionally, the C-130 can be rapidly reconfigured for the various types of cargo such as palletized equipment, floor-loaded material, airdrop platforms, container delivery system bundles, vehicles and personnel or aeromedical evacuation.
Proven Performance of C130
The C-130J’s performance is proven with more than 2 million flight hours supporting tactical airlift, search and rescues, special operations, commercial, and refueling missions around the globe. The global fleet's operating community has access to Lockheed Martin's unique insights to keep the aircraft mission ready, offered through channels including:
- 24/7 Customer Support Center
- Field Support teams
- Robust HercFusion data analytics for advanced predictive fleet operations optimization
- Full catalog of Aeronautics Capabilities Solutions for post-production enhancements
- Spares pooling
- Partnership with Derco, a Lockheed Martin company that is a leader in spares, component refresh/replenishment, logistics and technical solutions around the world
Enhanced Capability
The C-130J is faster, goes further and holds more compared to legacy platforms, translating to greater power and enhanced capabilities. The C-130J Super Hercules is the most advanced C-130 ever designed, built, flown and maintained, with a truly integrated digital core that offers:
- Dual HUDs for increased situational awareness
- Block 7.0/8.1 software, installed in-line during production
- Automated maintenance fault reporting
- Integrated defensive suite
- 250 knot ramp/door
- Global Scale
The global C-130 family ― to include legacy and Super Hercules operators ― spans 70 nations. A truly worldwide supply chain builds and supports the C-130 enterprise. When it comes to the C-130J, support is always close by thanks to in-person, real-time, global resources operated out of six continents.