LOCKHEED 382 C-130 'Hercules'

US Air Force designations: C-130, AC-130, DC-130, EC-130, HC-130, JC-130, LC-130, MC-130, NC-130, RC-130 and WC-130
US Navy designations: C-130, DC-130, EC-130, LC-130 and TC-130
US Marine Corps designation: KC-130

TYPE:

• Tactical transport and multi-mission aircraft

PROGRAMME:

• The US Air Force specification for a turboprop-engined tactical transport was issued in 1951.
• The aircraft required good short-field performance from rough airstrips, which led to the YC-130 prototype, first flew on August 23, 1954.
• Some features in the YC-130 prototype included:
• Rear ramp to facilitate loading of bulky items and to ensure paradrops with minimum dispersion.
• Payload of 11,340 kg (25,000 lb) of cargo.
• 96 infantrymen or 64 paratroops.
• Sturdy multi-wheel landing gear to keep the fuselage level at truck-bed height.
• And a high-set wing above the hold.
• The production contract for the C-130A was granted to Lockheed in September 1952.
• The first production flight of the C-130 was on April 7, 1955.
• 231 C-130As, 230 C-130Bs and 491 C-130Es in total were manufactured. Lockheed had delivered the 2000th Hercules (C-130H to Kentucky ANG) in April of 1992.

VERSIONS:

• C-130A:
  • First flight on April 7, 1955.
  • Gross weight of this early model was 46,266 kg (102,000 lb).
  • Internal cargo capacity was 12.19 by 3.05 by 2.74 m (40 by 10 by 9 ft).
  • It used an Allison T56-A-1A turboprop with a three-blade Hamilton Standard propeller.
• C-130B:
  • Entered production in 1958, using more powerful engines, the Allison T56-A-7 turboprop with a four-blade Hamilton Standard propeller.
  • Caused an increase in gross weight to 61,235 kg (135,000 lb) with increased feul capacity.
  • Speed was increased by 13 kt (24 km/h, 15 mph).
• C-130D: 12 of these ski-equipped Hercules were built for use in the Antarctic.
• C-130E:
  • A long-range version of the C-130 was built to mmet Military Air Transport Service (MATS) standards for a transoceanic-range aircraft.
  • Was fitted with two 5,148 Litre (1,360 US gal) wing tanks on inboard pylons.
  • An increase of internal fuel and strengthened structure was added.
  • The gross weight increased to 70,307 kg (155,000 lb). Had an maximum payload of 20,412 kg (45,000 lb).
  • Later 6 C-130E's were converted to WC-130E to replace the WC-130B, weather reconnaissance aircraft. WC-130E included increased range and enhanced data-link technology.
• C-130F/G: In the US Navy, the C-130B and C-130E were known as the C-130F/G. Seven C-130F's were built and four C-130G's were built.
• C-130H: The current production transport type rolling off the production line in the mid-1990s. This model included derated T56-A-15 engines, a revised centre-section structure and improved barkes.
• C-130K: Ordered in 1965 for the Royal Air Force was the C-130K, designated Hercules C.Mk 1 in Britain. 66 were built and were similar to the C-130H but with British avionics fit.
• C-130H-30: With adequate power in the C-130H, in 1970 the L-100-30 (civil version of the C-130H) was stretched to a total of 4.57 m (15 ft), increasing capacity to 128 infantrymen or 92 fully equipped paratroops. This type entered military service as the C-130H-30.
• C-130MP: A maritime patrol variant of the C-130, in service with the Indonesian and Malaysian air force.

DESIGN FEATURES:

• Can deliver loads and parachutists over lowered rear ramp and parachutists through side doors.
• Removable external fuel tanks outboard of engines are standard fittings.
• Cargo hold is pressurised. Leading-edges of wing, tailplane and fin are anti-iced by engine bleed air.

POWER PLANT: (C-130H)

• Four 3362 kW (4508 shp) Allison T56-A-15 turboprops, each driving a Hamilton Standard type 54H60 four-blade constant-speed fully feathering reversible-pitch propeller. Total thrust of 13,448 kW (18,032 shp).
• Fuel in six integral tanks in wings, with total capacity of 26,344 litres (6960 US gallons; 5795 Imp gallons) and two optional underwing pylon tanks, each with capacity of 5,146 litres (1360 US gallons; 1132 Imp gallons).
• Total fuel capacity is 36,636 litres (9680 US gallons; 8060 Imp gallons).

ACCOMMODATION:

• Crew of four on flight deck, includes pilot, co-pilot, navigator and systems manager (fully performance qualified flight engineer on USAF aircraft).
• Provision for fifth man to supervise loading.
• Sleeping bunks for relief crew and galley.
• Can also carry 92 troops (infantrymen), 64 paratroops, or 74 stretchers

ARMAMENT:

• Armament of Rockwell Hellfire ASM on AC-130H/U was tested in 1991-92.