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. The versatile airframe has found uses in a variety of other
roles, including as a gunship (AC-130), for airborne assault, search and
rescue, scientific research support, weather reconnaissance, aerial refueling,
maritime patrol and aerial firefighting. It is now the main tactical airlifter
for many military forces worldwide. Over 40 models and variants of the Hercules
serve with more than 60 nations.
The C-130 entered service with U.S. in the 1950s, followed
by Australia and others. During its years of service, the Hercules family has
participated in countless military, civilian and humanitarian aid operations.
The family has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft
in history. In 2007, the C-130 became the fifth aircraft—after the English
Electric Canberra, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, Tupolev Tu-95, and Boeing KC-135
Stratotanker—to mark 50 years of continuous use with its original primary
customer, in this case, the United States Air Force. The C-130 is also the only
military aircraft to remain in continuous production for 50 years with its
original customer, as the updated C-130J Super Hercules.
C-130 Hercules Models:
C-130A model
The first production C-130s were designated as A-models,
with deliveries in 1956 to the 463d Troop Carrier Wing at Ardmore AFB, Oklahoma
and the 314th Troop Carrier Wing at Sewart AFB, Tennessee. Six additional
squadrons were assigned to the 322d Air Division in Europe and the 315th Air
Division in the Far East. Additional aircraft were modified for electronics
intelligence work and assigned to Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany while modified
RC-130As were assigned to the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) photo-mapping
division. Aircraft equipped with giant skis were designated as C-130Ds, but
were essentially A-models except for the conversion. Australia became the first
non-American force to operate the C130A Hercules with 12 examples being
delivered from late 1958. These aircraft were fitted with AeroProducts
three-blade, 15-foot diameter propellers. As the C-130A became operational with
Tactical Air Command (TAC), the C-130's lack of range became apparent and
additional fuel capacity was added in the form of external pylon-mounted tanks
at the end of the wings. The A-model continued in service through the Vietnam
War, where the aircraft assigned to the four squadrons at Naha AB, Okinawa and
one at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan performed yeoman's service, including
operating highly classified special operations missions such as the BLIND BAT
FAC/Flare mission and FACT SHEET leaflet mission over Laos and North Vietnam.
The A-model was also provided to the South Vietnamese Air Force as part of the
Vietnamization program at the end of the war, and equipped three squadrons
based at Tan Son Nhut AFB. The last operator in the world is the Honduran Air
Force, which is still flying one of five A model Hercules (FAH 558, c/n 3042)
as of October 2009.
C-130B model
The C-130B model was developed to complement the A models
that had previously been delivered, and incorporated new features, particularly
increased fuel capacity in the form of auxiliary tanks built into the center
wing section and an AC electrical system. Four-bladed Hamilton Standard
propellers replaced the Aero Product three-bladed propellers that distinguished
the earlier A-models. B-models replaced A-models in the 314th and 463rd Troop
Carrier Wings. During the Vietnam War four squadrons assigned to the 463rd
Troop Carrier/Tactical Airlift Wing based at Clark Air Force Base and Mactan
Air Force Base in the Philippines were used primarily for tactical airlift
operations in South Vietnam. In the spring of 1969, 463rd crews commenced
COMMANDO VAULT bombing missions dropping "daisy cutter" M-121 10,000
lb (4,534 kg) bombs to clear "instant LZs" for helicopters. These
would later be used by South Vietnam forces in a last-ditch air support effort
to turn back communist troops. As the Vietnam War wound down, the 463rd
B-models and A-models of the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing were transferred back
to the United States where most were assigned to Air Force Reserve and Air
National Guard units. Another prominent role for the B model was with the
United States Marine Corps, where Hercules initially designated as GV-1s
replaced C-119s. After Air Force C-130Ds proved the type's usefulness in
Antarctica, the US Navy purchased a number of B-models equipped with skis that
were designated as LC-130s. The Royal Canadian Air Force became another early
user of the C130 with the delivery of its first B model in 1960.
An electronic reconnaissance variant of the C-130B was
designated C-130B-II. A total of 13 aircraft were converted and operated under
the SUN VALLEY program name. They were operated primarily from Yokota Air Base,
Japan. All reverted to standard C-130B cargo aircraft after their replacement
in the reconnaissance role by other aircraft. The C-130B-II was distinguished
by its false external wing fuel tanks, which were disguised signals
intelligence (SIGINT) receiver antennas. These pods were slightly larger than
the standard wing tanks found on other C-130Bs. Most aircraft featured a swept
blade antenna on the upper fuselage, as well as extra wire antennas between the
vertical fin and upper fuselage not found on other C-130s. Radio call numbers
on the tail of these aircraft were regularly changed so as to confuse observers
and disguise their true mission.
C 130E Model
The extended range C-130E model entered service in 1962
after it was developed as an interim long-range transport for the Military Air
Transport Service. Essentially a B-model, the new designation was the result of
the installation of 1,360 US gal (5,150 L) Sargent Fletcher external fuel tanks
under each wing's mid-section and more powerful Allison T56-A-7A turboprops.
The hydraulic boost pressure to the ailerons was reduced back to 2050 psi as a
consequence of the external tanks' weight in the middle of the wingspan. The E
model also featured structural improvements, avionics upgrades and a higher
gross weight. Australia took delivery of 12 C130E Hercules during 1966–67 to
supplement the 12 C-130A models already in service with the RAAF. Sweden and
Spain fly the TP-84T version of the C-130E fitted for aerial refueling
capability.
C-130F / KC-130F / C-130G models
The KC-130 tankers, originally C-130Fs procured for the US
Marine Corps (USMC) in 1958 (under the designation GV-1) are equipped with a
removable 3,600 US gal (13,626 l) stainless steel fuel tank carried inside the
cargo compartment. The two wing-mounted hose and drogue aerial refueling pods
each transfer up to 300 US gal per minute (19 l per second) to two aircraft
simultaneously, allowing for rapid cycle times of multiple-receiver aircraft
formations, (a typical tanker formation of four aircraft in less than 30
minutes). The US Navy's C-130G has increased structural strength allowing
higher gross weight operation.
C-130 H model
The C-130H model has updated Allison T56-A-15 turboprops, a
redesigned outer wing, updated avionics and other minor improvements. Later H
models had a new, fatigue-life-improved, center wing that was retro-fitted to
many earlier H-models. The H model remains in widespread use with the US Air Force
(USAF) and many foreign air forces. Initial deliveries began in 1964 (to the
RNZAF), remaining in production until 1996. An improved C-130H was introduced
in 1974, with Australia purchasing 12 of type in 1978 to replace the original
12 C-130A models which had first entered RAAF Service in 1958.
The United States Coast Guard employs the HC-130H for long
range search and rescue, drug interdiction, illegal migrant patrols, homeland
security, and logistics.
C-130H models produced from 1992 to 1996 were designated as
C-130H3 by the USAF. The 3 denoting the third variation in design for the H
series. Improvements included ring laser gyros for the INUs, GPS receivers, a
partial glass cockpit (ADI and HSI instruments), a more capable APN-241 color
radar, night vision device compatible instrument lighting, and an integrated
radar and missile warning system. The electrical system upgrade included
Generator Control Units (GCU) and Bus Switching units (BSU)to provide stable
power to the more sensitive upgraded components.
C-130 K model
The equivalent model for export to the UK is the C-130K,
known by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as the Hercules C.1. The C-130H-30 (Hercules
C.3 in RAF service) is a stretched version of the original Hercules, achieved
by inserting a 100 in (2.54 m) plug aft of the cockpit and an 80 in (2.03 m)
plug at the rear of the fuselage. A single C-130K was purchased by the Met
Office for use by its Meteorological Research Flight, where it was classified
as the Hercules W.2. This aircraft was heavily modified (with its most
prominent feature being the long red and white striped atmospheric probe on the
nose and the move of the weather radar into a pod above the forward fuselage).
This aircraft, named Snoopy, was withdrawn in 2001 and was then modified by
Marshall of Cambridge Aerospace as flight-test bed for the A400M turbine
engine, the TP400. The C-130K is used by the RAF Falcons for parachute drops.
Three C-130K (Hercules C Mk.1P) were upgraded and sold to the Austrian Air
Force in 2002.
Later C-130 models
The MC-130E Combat Talon was developed for the USAF during
the Vietnam War to support special operations missions throughout Southeast
Asia, and spawned a family of special missions aircraft. 37 of the earliest
models currently operating with the United States Special Operations Command
are scheduled to be replaced by new-production MC-130J versions. The EC-130 and
EC-130H Compass Call versions are also Special variants but are assigned to Air
Combat Command (ACC). The AC-130 gunship was first developed during the Vietnam
War to provide close air support and other ground-attack duties. The HC-130 is
a family of long-range search and rescue variants used by the USAF and the US
Coast Guard. Equipped for deep deployment of Pararescuemen (PJs), survival
equipment, and aerial refueling of combat rescue helicopters, HC-130s are
usually the on-scene command aircraft for combat SAR missions. Early versions
were equipped with the Fulton surface-to-air recovery system, designed to pull
a person off the ground using a wire strung from a helium balloon. The John
Wayne movie The Green Berets features its use. The Fulton system was later
removed when aerial refueling of helicopters proved safer and more versatile.
The movie The Perfect Storm depicts a real life SAR mission involving aerial
refueling of a New York Air National Guard HH-60G by a New York Air National
Guard HC-130P.
The C-130R and C-130T are US Navy and USMC models, both
equipped with underwing external fuel tanks. The USN C-130T is similar, but has
additional avionics improvements. In both models, aircraft are equipped with
Allison T56-A-16 engines. The USMC versions are designated KC-130R or KC-130T
when equipped with underwing refueling pods and pylons and are fully night
vision system compatible.
The RC-130 is a reconnaissance version. A single example is
used by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, the aircraft having originally
been sold to the former Imperial Iranian Air Force.
The Lockheed L-100 (L-382) is a civilian variant, equivalent
to a C-130E model without military equipment. The L-100 also has two stretched
versions.
Next generation
In the 1970s, Lockheed proposed a C-130 variant with
turbofan engines rather than turboprops, but the US Air Force preferred the
takeoff performance of the existing aircraft. In the 1980s, the C-130 was
intended to be replaced by the Advanced Medium STOL Transport project. The
project was canceled and the C-130 has remained in production.
In the 1990s, the improved C-130J Super Hercules was
developed by Lockheed (later Lockheed Martin). This model is the newest version
and the only model in production. Externally similar to the classic Hercules in
general appearance, the J model has new turboprop engines, six-bladed
propellers, digital avionics, and other new systems.
Improvements and upgrades
In 2000, Boeing was awarded a US$1.4 billion contract to
develop an Avionics Modernization Programme kit for the C-130. The program was
beset with delays and cost overruns until project restructuring in 2007. On 2
September 2009, Bloomberg news reported that the planned Avionics Modernization
Program (AMP) upgrade to the older C-130s would be dropped to provide more
funds for the F-35, CV-22 and airborne tanker replacement programs. However, in
June 2010, the Pentagon approved funding for the initial production of the AMP
upgrade kits. Under the terms of this agreement, the USAF has cleared Boeing to
begin low-rate initial production (LRIP) for the C-130 AMP. A total of 198
aircraft are expected to feature the AMP upgrade. The current cost per aircraft
is US$14 million although Boeing expects that this price will drop to US$7
million for the 69th aircraft.
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The Boeing AH-64 Apache is a four-blade, twin-engine attack
helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement, and a tandem cockpit
for a two-man crew. The Apache was developed as Model 77 by Hughes Helicopters
for the United States Army's Advanced Attack Helicopter program to replace the
AH-1 Cobra, and was first flown on 30 September 1975. The AH-64 was introduced
to US Army service in April 1986. The AH-64 Apache features a nose-mounted
sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems. It is armed with
a 30-millimeter (1.2 in) M230 Chain Gun carried between the main landing gear,
under the aircraft's forward fuselage. It has four hardpoints mounted on
stub-wing pylons, typically carrying a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and
Hydra 70 rocket pods. The AH-64 has a large amount of systems redundancy to
improve combat survivability. The U.S. Army selected the AH-64, by Hughes
Helicopters, over the Bell YAH-63 in 1976, and later approved full production
in 1982. McDonnell Douglas continued production and development after
purchasing Hughes Helicopters from Summa Corporation in 1984. The first
production AH-64D Apache Longbow, an upgraded version of the original Apache,
was delivered to the Army in March 1997. Production has been continued by
Boeing Defense, Space & Security; over one thousand AH-64s have been
produced to date. The U.S. Army is the primary operator of the AH-64, it has
also become the primary attack helicopter of multiple nations, including
Greece, Japan, Israel, the Netherlands and Singapore; as well as being produced
under license in the United Kingdom as the AgustaWestland Apache. U.S. AH-64s
have served in conflicts in Panama, the Persian Gulf, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and
Iraq. Israel has made active use of the Apache in its military conflicts in
Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, while two coalition allies have deployed their
AH-64s in Afghanistan and Iraq.
