Lockheed HC-130 Hercules / Super Hercules

Long-Range Surveillance / Search and Rescue (SAR) Aircraft (1964)

Aviation / Aerospace

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Long distance view of a landed USAF HC-130 transport; USAF image.

The Lockheed HC-130H Hercules of the USAF and USCG is a specialized surveillance and SAR version of the C-130H Hercules.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/06/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

The Lockheed HC-130 is based on the standard C-130H model which introduced updated Allison T56-A-15 series turboprop engines. The wings were also redesigned and improvements made internally to the cockpit systems. Introduced in 1964, the C-130H proved a hugely popular model in the C-130 Hercules line as a whole. H-models were then, themselves, improved in a 1974 upgrade. The United States Coast Guard took on a stock of C-130H models for the long-range, Search and Rescue (SAR) role and uses it in a myriad of other border enforcement sorties. A surface search radar is standard equipment on USCG models.

43 examples of the HC-130 were taken on by the United States Air Force (USAF) with some 12 adopted by the USCG. USAF models include the HC-130H and HC-130J models. The USCG models are HC-130H and HC-130J.

The HC-130J is the "Super Hercules" version of the HC-130 line for the USCG. HC-130H models are expected to be upgraded to the newer J-standard. J-models introduce more powerful turboprop engines with composite propeller blades and increased performance specifications producing a longer-range, faster and higher flying product. Avionics are wholly modern as is onboard navigational assistance.

Due to the J-model standard implementation, it is expected that the HC-130 line will progress operationally well into 2027.

Specifications

Service Year

1964

Origin

United States

Status

ACTIVE
In Active Service.

Crew

7

Production

75
UNITS

Lockheed Martin - USA

(View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers)

United States

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Special-Mission: Search & Rescue (SAR)
Ability to locate and extract personnel from areas of potential harm or peril (i.e. downed airmen in the sea).

✓ Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Length

97.8 ft
(29.80 m)

Width/Span

132.5 ft
(40.40 m)

Height

38.1 ft
(11.60 m)

Empty Wgt

76,778 lb
(34,826 kg)

MTOW

175,001 lb
(79,379 kg)

Wgt Diff

+98,223 lb
(+44,553 kg)

(Showcased structural values pertain to the Lockheed HC-130H Hercules production variant)

Installed: 4 x Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engines delivering 4,300 shaft horsepower each.

Max Speed

380 mph
(611 kph | 330 kts)

Ceiling

32,808 ft
(10,000 m | 6 mi)

Range

5,179 mi
(8,334 km | 15,435 nm)

♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Lockheed HC-130H Hercules production variant. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database. View aircraft by powerplant type)

None.

HC-130H - Specialized rescue version of the C-130H Hercules; 55 examples produced for USAF (43) and USCG (12).

HC-130N - Based on the HC-130H with revised equipment; usage by the USAF.

HC-130P - Based on the HC-130H; provision for in-flight refueling of rotary-wing aircraft; 20 examples produced; usage by the USAF.

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