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C-130E Hercules
Photo: Raimond Spekking · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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C-130EHercules

Tactical Transports · United States · 1954
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C-130EHercules

C-130E Hercules
C-130E Hercules Photo: Raimond Spekking · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
MASS (Military Archive Scoring System) 78
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Payload
85
Short / Rough-Field Capability
80
Range
70
Cargo Versatility
90
Reliability
88
Self-Protection
40
Low-Altitude Capability
75
Versatility
92
Technology
70
Cost-Effectiveness
80
Methodology ↗ → Tactical Transports ranking
Origin United States
CategoryTactical Transports
EraEarly Cold War
In service1954
Operators65 countries
Quantity2,700
⬇ Overview
⚙ Specs
⊕ History
⊕ Operators
⚖ MASS Score
📚 Sources
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
⊟ Tactical Transportsranking ↗methodology ↗
78
Tactical Transports MASS Rating
8/60
Early Cold War
19/215
All-Time
Tactical Transports · 10 axes scored
Payload
85
Short / Rough-Field Capability
80
Range
70
Cargo Versatility
90
Reliability
88
Self-Protection
40
Low-Altitude Capability
75
Versatility
92
Technology
70
Cost-Effectiveness
80
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the tactical transports category.
01 / Overview
C-130E Hercules
Category
Tactical Transports
Country
United States
Production
1954–
Quantity
2,700
Operators
65 countries
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
TACTICAL TRANSPORTS · EARLY COLD WAR
8
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
78
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
MASS SCORE ↗
78
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-7 turboprop
  • Number of Engines4
  • Thrust (each)4,590
  • Power (each, turboprop)3,661 kW
▣Performance7MOD.7
  • Cruise Speed540 km/h
  • Top Speed592 km/h
  • Service Ceiling10,060 m
  • Maximum Range3,890 km
  • Range with Max Payload2,040 km
  • Takeoff Run1,097 m
  • Unpaved / Short FieldYes
◇Cargo & Capacity7MOD.7
  • Maximum Payload19,690 kg
  • Cargo Hold Volume12.5
  • Troop Capacity92
  • Paratroop Capacity64
  • Vehicle Capacity2.5 vehicles
  • Pallet Positions6
  • Rear Loading RampYes
◆Aerial Refueling3MOD.3
▤Dimensions & Weights5MOD.5
  • Length29.79 m
  • Wingspan40.41 m
  • Height11.66 m
  • Empty Weight34,400 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight70,310 kg
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built389
  • Operators60
  • Variants1
▲Service History2MOD.2
  • Production Start1954
  • Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1954Production started
  2. 1956Entered service
72
years in service
2,700
units produced
60
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 5 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries65country
AlgeriaACTIVEArgentinaACTIVEAustraliaACTIVEAustriaACTIVEBahrainACTIVEBangladeshACTIVEBoliviaACTIVEBotswanaACTIVEBrazilACTIVECameroonACTIVECanadaACTIVEChadACTIVEChileACTIVEColombiaACTIVEDenmarkACTIVEEcuadorACTIVEEgyptACTIVEEthiopiaACTIVEFranceACTIVEGabonACTIVE
📖 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 →
Tactical Transports Early Cold War United States Lockheed Corporation
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Tactical Transports entry →