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-130F Hercules
Category
Country
Production
1960–2006
Quantity
46
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
TACTICAL TRANSPORTS · EARLY COLD WAR
2
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
- Crew5
- Primary RoleTanker/Transport; Overwatch/Ground support (Harvest HAWK variant)
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant3MOD.3
- Engine TypeAllison T56-A-15 turboprop
- Number of Engines4
- Power (each, turboprop)3,362 kW
▣Performance7MOD.7
- Cruise Speed540 km/h
- Top Speed592 km/h
- Service Ceiling8,534 m
- Maximum Range7,876 km
- Range with Max Payload3,260 km
- Takeoff Run1,100 m
- Unpaved / Short FieldYes
◇Cargo & Capacity7MOD.7
- Maximum Payload19,686 kg
- Cargo Hold Volume30.8
- Troop Capacity92
- Paratroop Capacity64
- Vehicle CapacityUp to 2 large vehicles or 16 pallets
- Pallet Positions6
- Rear Loading RampYes
◆Aerial Refueling4MOD.4
- Aerial TankerYes
- Fuel Offload Capacity27,215 kg
- Refueling Method (boom/drogue)Probe and drogue
- In-Flight RefuelableYes
▤Dimensions & Weights5MOD.5
- Length29.79 m
- Wingspan39.74 m
- Height11.66 m
- Empty Weight35,000 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight70,307 kg
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built46
- Operators1
- Variants0
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year2006
- Production Start1960
- Production End2006
- Operational StatusRetired from USMC service in 2006
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1960Production started
- 2006Production ended
66
years in service
46
years in production
46
units produced
20
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
LOCKHEED KC-130F HERCULES · CONFLICTS SERVED IN50% win
Total Conflicts
2
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
06 / Operators
Operator Inventory15country · 50units
50active
07 / MASS Score
TACTICAL TRANSPORTS RANKING Tactical Transports · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
6TACTICAL TRANSPORTS2EARLY COLD WAR · TACTICAL TRANSPORTS184UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS2PERFORMANCE/PRICE · TACTICAL TRANSPORTS
ⓘ Rankings are within theTactical Transportscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
Aerial tanker: military aircraft equipped to refuel other aircraft in flight using a system of hoses or booms.
Capable of receiving fuel from another aircraft while in flight, extending its operational range and endurance.
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