Aircraft Profile: Lockheed Martin C-130

The Lockheed Martin C-130 tactical airlifter is the transport workhorse of the world’s military forces, in use with 50 nations in over 40 different guises.

First entering service with the US Air Force in December 1956, the C-130 Hercules is one of only five aircraft types to have seen 50 years of continuous active service with its original customer. It remains in production today as the updated C-130J Super Hercules, which entered service with launch operator the UK Royal Air Force in 1999.

Developed to replace World War II-era transports that were no longer deemed adequate for modern warfare by the USAF, the C-130 was designed to have a range of 2,000km (1,100nm), to be able to take off from and land on short, unprepared strips and to have the ability to fly with one engine shut down. The YC-130 prototype first flew in August 1954.

Powered by four Allison T56 turboprops (four Rolls-Royce Allison AE2100s in the C-130J), the Hercules has a top speed of 660km/h (410mph) a range of up to 3,890km and a maximum payload of 42,000lb (19,090kg). Thanks to its aft loading ramp, the C-130 can accommodate a wide variety of oversized cargo, including utility helicopters and armoured vehicles, plus standard palletized cargo and military personnel.