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LockheedC-130HHercules

Tactical Transports · United States · 1964

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LockheedC-130HHercules

Lockheed C-130H Hercules Photo: Ad Meskens You are free to use this picture for any purpose as long as you credit its author, Ad Meskens. Example: © Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons If · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

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

Technology

Cost-Effectiveness

Methodology ↗ → Tactical Transports ranking

Origin

United States

CategoryTactical Transports

EraCold War

In service1964

Operators65 countries

Quantity2,700

Data Quality87%

MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)

⊟ Tactical Transportsranking ↗methodology ↗

Tactical Transports MASS Rating

1/39

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

Technology

Cost-Effectiveness

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

01 / Overview

Lockheed C-130H Hercules

Category

Tactical Transports

Country

United States

Production

1964–

Quantity

2,700

Operators

65 countries

💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗

TACTICAL TRANSPORTS · 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, troop, medevac, and cargo transport
In ServiceYes

◈Powerplant4MOD.4

Engine TypeAllison T56-A-15 turboprop
Number of Engines4
Thrust (each)4,500
Power (each, turboprop)3,661 kW

▣Performance7MOD.7

Cruise Speed540 km/h
Top Speed592 km/h
Service Ceiling10,060 m
Maximum Range4,000 km
Range with Max Payload3,300 km
Takeoff Run1,090 m
Unpaved / Short FieldYes

◇Cargo & Capacity7MOD.7

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

◆Aerial Refueling4MOD.4

Aerial TankerNo
Fuel Offload Capacity30,000 kg
Refueling Method (boom/drogue)Probe-and-drogue
In-Flight RefuelableYes

▤Dimensions & Weights5MOD.5

Length29.8 m
Wingspan40.4 m
Height11.6 m
Empty Weight34,400 kg
Max Takeoff Weight70,300 kg

⬢Production3MOD.3

Total Built2,700
Operators60
Variants13

▲Service History2MOD.2

Production Start1954
Operational StatusIn service

03 / History

SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service

1964Production started

years in service

2,700

units produced

countries operating

ⓘ 5 countries retired it.

04 / Variants

▚ WEAPON FAMILY

Lockheed C-130 Hercules 1956

Lockheed C-130H Hercules 1964

// SIBLING VARIANTS

LC-130R Hercules 1956

HC-130 Hercules 1959

Lockheed KC-130F Hercules 1960

Lockheed KC-130 Hercules 1960

Lockheed L-100-30 Hercules 1964

Lockheed L-100 Hercules 1964

Lockheed KC-130H Hercules 1983

Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules 1996

C-130J Super Hercules 1999

05 / Operators

Operator Countries65country

06 / MASS Score

TACTICAL TRANSPORTS RANKING Tactical Transports · Cold War

Lockheed KC-130F Hercules VARIANT 83 #7

C-130A Hercules 83 #8

Lockheed C-130H Hercules (this weapon) VARIANT 83 #9

LC-130R Hercules VARIANT 82 #10

MC-130 Hercules 82

MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗

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