Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the tactical transports category.
01 / Overview
Lockheed KC-130 Hercules
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1960–
Quantity
130
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
TACTICAL TRANSPORTS · EARLY COLD WAR
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
97
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the tactical transports category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- First Flight1960
- Service Entry Year1962
- Crew4
- Primary Rolemulti‑role tactical tanker/transport
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant4MOD.4
- Engine TypeAllison T56 and Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3
- Number of Engines4
- Thrust (each)34
- Power (each, turboprop)3,430 kW
▣Performance7MOD.7
- Cruise Speed540 km/h
- Top Speed670.366 km/h
- Service Ceiling8,534.4 m
- Maximum Range4,000 km
- Range with Max Payload3,300 km
- Takeoff Run1,200 m
- Unpaved / Short FieldYes
◇Cargo & Capacity7MOD.7
- Maximum Payload19,000 kg
- Cargo Hold Volume120
- Troop Capacity92
- Paratroop Capacity92
- Vehicle Capacity27,215 kg fuel, 19,000 kg payload
- Pallet Positions3
- Rear Loading RampYes
◆Aerial Refueling4MOD.4
- Aerial TankerYes
- Fuel Offload Capacity27,215 kg
- Refueling Method (boom/drogue)probe and drogue
- In-Flight RefuelableNo
▤Dimensions & Weights5MOD.5
- Length29.566 m
- Wingspan40.4 m
- Height8.9 m
- Empty Weight34,274.923 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight70,300 kg
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built130
- Operators12
- Variants7
▲Service History3MOD.3
- Retirement Year2021
- Production Start1960
- Operational StatusActive
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1960Production started
66
years in service
130
units produced
21
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
LOCKHEED KC-130 HERCULES · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
06 / Operators
Operator Inventory17country · 63units
63active
07 / MASS Score
TACTICAL TRANSPORTS RANKING Tactical Transports · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
2TACTICAL TRANSPORTS1EARLY COLD WAR · TACTICAL TRANSPORTS141UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS2PERFORMANCE/PRICE · TACTICAL TRANSPORTS
ⓘ Rankings are within theTactical Transportscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Aerial tanker: military aircraft equipped to refuel other aircraft in flight using a system of hoses or booms.
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.
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