Lockheed C-130K Hercules Military transport aircraft. GAV 2283-238
Only a few aircraft have earned the description "legendary." However, the C-130, named "Hercules" from the mythical Greek hero renowned for his great strength, has become a true, real-world legend. More than 2,200 C-130s have been built, and they are flown by more than 60 nations worldwide, in more than 70 variations. In truth, there is no airlift mission the C-130 has not flown. It carries troops, vehicles and armaments into battle; drops paratroopers and supplies from the sky; serves as airborne and ground refuelers; provides emergency evacuation and humanitarian relief; and conducts airborne early warning and maritime surveillance. It has recovered space capsules, and worn skis in Antarctica. Surviving the toughest flights, the roughest landings and the constant pounding of heavy cargo, many of the earliest C-130s are still active today. In the history of aviation design, the preeminent symbol for strength, durability and multimission success unquestionably belongs to the C-130 Hercules. How can an airlifter that has served so ably in the 20th century also dominate the 21st century? Because it is an even better aircraft today -- and still very young. The C-130J may look the same with its instantly familiar silhouette; but it is actually a new airplane with a whole new level of performance. Compared to the earlier production C-130E, maximum speed is up 21 percent, and climb time is down 50 percent. Cruising altitude is 40 percent higher, range 40 percent longer. With new engines and new propellers, the "J" can reach 28,000 feet in 14 minutes. Moreover, for tricky low-altitude maneuvers, the new avionics and dual head-up displays make it easier and safer to operate. It also offers reduced manpower requirements and lower operating support and life-cycle costs. A new propulsion system, featuring four powerful Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 engines, generates 29 percent more thrust while increasing fuel efficiency by 15 percent. An all-composite six-blade Dowty Aerospace R391 p
Size: 6191px × 3931px
Location: RAF Lossiemouth, Moray. Grampian Region. Scotland. United Kingdom
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -130k, 4, 40, 60, 294, aerial, aeroplane, air, airborne, aircraft, airlifter, allison, assault, aviation, c1/w2/c3, cargo, communications, corp, designation, engines, firefighting., force, forces, freight, gunship, heavy, helicopter, hercules, large, lifting, lockheed, lynham, main, mariner, maritime, martin, military, models, nations., navy, patrol, raf, reconnaissance, refueling, refuelling, registration, rescue, research, royal, scientific, search, serial, serve, support, t56--15, tactical, tanker, transport, troop, troops, turboprops, variants, weather, worldwide., xv, ×
