C-130 Hercules

By Lockheed Martin



The C-130 is indeed a versatile aircraft and demonstrates this carrying out both wartime and peacetime operations. Lockheed developed the C-130, to serve as a medium weight tactical transport plane capable of landing even on unprepared landing strips. With its high wings, it is capable of clearing ground obstacles. Its access ramp at the rear can be lowered in flight for troop and equipment drops. In production since 1955, the 1,900th unit was delivered in 1988. In 1990, the C-130 was still in production and in service in air forces in 61 countries.

The C-130 served in every possible mission for a transport plane including serving as a flying hospital, in flight refueling, and delivering paratroops. It has also been outfitted as a 384 mph gunship and as an electronic warfare platform. Peacetime missions include fire-fighting missions and even for aerial spraying to suppress mosquito-spread epidemics.

Many modifications on numerous variations of the aircraft have been carried out over the years and today, not only will modification continue, but also the Air Force has budgeted acquisition of the new C-130J version. New propellers, digital avionics and mission computers will enhance performance and improve reliability and maintainability. The C-130’s productivity will continue in both war and peacetime activity.

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