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| C130J Super Hercules |
Militarymedia.net - The C-130J Super Hercules was developed by Lockheed Martin. This is the latest production version of the C-130 Hercules. It replaces the previous production C-130H. The C-130J Super Hercules made its first flight in 1996. Deliveries of this airlifter began in 1998. By 2014 more than 280 Super Hercules aircraft of various models had been delivered to at least 14 countries. In 2018 Lockheed Martin delivered its 400th Super Hercules. The largest carriers are the US Air Force, US Marine Corps, Australia, Canada, India, Italy and the UK. In Royal Air Force service this aircraft is known as the C5 Hercules.
The Super Hercules have been widely used by the USAF and the US Marine Corps in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The original Hercules made its first flight in 1954. It has the longest production run of all military aircraft. It is the most popular and widely used military transport aircraft in the West. It operates with more than 60 operators worldwide. In most cases, the C-130 is the largest cargo aircraft in their inventory. More than 2,000 of these aircraft have been built. It remains the workhorse of the USAF tactical transport fleet. It also operates with most European air guns. This versatile aircraft has found use in a variety of roles. Also Hercules made his name for reliability.
The C-130J Super Hercules is used for troop and cargo transportation. The basic airframe of the C-130 has changed very little. But the plane had a number of improvements, including new engines, avionics and other systems.
The Super Hercules has a payload capacity of 19 tons. It can carry 92 troops, 62 air troops, or 72 liters with 2 medics. Or it can carry 6 pallets, or 2-3 HMMWV, or a single M113 armored personnel carrier.
This tactical airlifter is powered by four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprops. Each engine develops 4 637 shp and has a 6 blade composite scimitar propeller. The C-130J has a 40% greater range, 21% higher maximum speed and 41% shorter takeoff distance than the previous C-130E/H model.
The aircraft has digital avionics, including a Head-Up Display (HUD) for each pilot. Super Hercules has reduced crew requirements. A crew of at least three people is required to operate this aircraft, including two pilots and one loadmaster. Navigators and flight engineers are no longer needed.
The Super Hercules is capable of short takeoffs and landings from unprepared runways.
Hercules Variant
- C-130J-30 stretched version. It has extended the fuselage by 4.6 m. This aircraft has a payload capacity of 20 tons. It can carry 128 troops, 92 air troops or 97 stretchers. Or it can carry 8 pallets of military cargo. In USAF and Royal Canadian Air Force service this aircraft is known as the CC-130J Super Hercules. In Royal Air Force service it is known as the C4 Hercules. The C-130J-30 is Lockheed Martin's designation.
- EC-130J Commando Solo III, a variant of the USAF Special Operations Command.
- HC-130J Combat King II, long range patrol and search & rescue variant used by the US Coast Guard.
- KC-130J aerial refueling tanker and tactical airlifter, used by the US Marine Corps. The aircraft can also be equipped with weapons, such as Hellfire or Griffin missiles, precision-guided bombs, and even a 30mm cannon. This aircraft can deliver ground support fire. The fighter maintains transport and refueling capabilities.
- The MC-130J Commando II is used by USAF Special Operations Command. Initially this aircraft was given the name Combat Shadow II.
- WC-130J weather reconnaissance aircraft for USAF Reserve Command. The data obtained by this aircraft accurately predicts the development and movement of the storm.
- The L-130J is a civilian version of the C-130J-30. The aircraft development program was postponed to focus on model development and military production.
- The SC-130J is a proposed maritime patrol aircraft designed for coastal surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.
