Photo: Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

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C-130AHercules

Tactical Transports · United States · 1956

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C-130AHercules

C-130A Hercules Photo: Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

MASS (Military Archive Scoring System) 83

* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment

Payload

Short / Rough-Field Capability

Range

Cargo Versatility

Reliability

Self-Protection

Low-Altitude Capability

Versatility

100

Technology

Cost-Effectiveness

Methodology ↗ → Tactical Transports ranking

Origin

United States

CategoryTactical Transports

EraEarly Cold War

In service1956

Operators64 countries

Quantity2,700

⊕ History

Data Quality88%

MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)

⊟ Tactical Transportsranking ↗methodology ↗

Tactical Transports MASS Rating

2/60

Early Cold War

6/215

All-Time

Tactical Transports · 10 axes scored

Payload

Short / Rough-Field Capability

Range

Cargo Versatility

Reliability

Self-Protection

Low-Altitude Capability

Versatility

100

Technology

Cost-Effectiveness

ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the tactical transports category.

01 / Overview

C-130A Hercules

Category

Tactical Transports

Country

United States

Production

1956–

Quantity

2,700

Operators

64 countries

💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗

TACTICAL TRANSPORTS · EARLY COLD WAR

PERFORMANCE/PRICE

UNIT COST (2025 USD)

—

MASS SCORE ↗

tactical transports category

ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the tactical transports category, regardless of era.

02 / Specs & Design

◎General5MOD.5

First Flight1954
Service Entry Year1956
Crew5
Primary Roletactical airlifter
In ServiceYes

◈Powerplant4MOD.4

Engine TypeAllison T56-A-11/9 turboprop
Number of Engines4
Thrust (each)38
Power (each, turboprop)3,430 kW

▣Performance7MOD.7

Cruise Speed540 km/h
Top Speed592 km/h
Service Ceiling10,060 m
Maximum Range4,067 km
Range with Max Payload3,300 km
Takeoff Run1,100 m
Unpaved / Short FieldYes

◇Cargo & Capacity7MOD.7

Maximum Payload19,690 kg
Cargo Hold Volume127.4
Troop Capacity92
Paratroop Capacity64
Vehicle Capacity72 combat troops or 64 paratroopers
Pallet Positions6
Rear Loading RampYes

◆Aerial Refueling4MOD.4

Aerial TankerNo
Fuel Offload Capacity0 kg
Refueling Method (boom/drogue)probe-and-drogue
In-Flight RefuelableYes

▤Dimensions & Weights5MOD.5

Length29.3 m
Wingspan39.7 m
Height11.6 m
Empty Weight34,400 kg
Max Takeoff Weight70,300 kg

⬢Production3MOD.3

Total Built219
Operators60
Variants1

▲Service History2MOD.2

Production Start1954
Operational Statusactive

03 / History

SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service

1956Production started

years in service

2,700

units produced

countries operating

ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 4 countries retired it.

04 / Operators

Operator Countries64country

05 / MASS Score

TACTICAL TRANSPORTS RANKING Tactical Transports · Early Cold War

Airbus C-295W 84 #6

Lockheed KC-130F Hercules VARIANT 83 #7

C-130A Hercules (this weapon) 83 #8

Lockheed C-130H Hercules VARIANT 83 #9

LC-130R Hercules VARIANT 82

MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗

6TACTICAL TRANSPORTS 2EARLY COLD WAR · TACTICAL TRANSPORTS 184UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS 1PERFORMANCE/PRICE · TACTICAL TRANSPORTS

ⓘ Rankings are within theTactical Transportscategory.

📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms

In-Flight Refuelable

Capable of receiving fuel from another aircraft while in flight, extending its operational range and endurance.

Rear Loading Ramp

A hinged rear fuselage section on military transport aircraft that lowers to enable direct loading/unloading of cargo or vehicles from the aircraft's tail.

Unpaved / Short Field

Ability to take off and land on unpaved or short runways.

These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →

📚 Sources

📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Tactical Transports entry →