Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the intelligence / recon aircraft category.
01 / Overview
WC-130A Hercules
Category
Country
Production
1967–
Quantity
50
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT · COLD WAR
28
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
87
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the intelligence / recon aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- Base AirframeC-130 Hercules
- Mission TypeWeather reconnaissance
- Service Entry Year1962
- Flight Crew5
- Mission Crew5
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant2MOD.2
- Engine TypeT56 turboprop
- Number of Engines4
▣Performance5MOD.5
- Cruise Speed540 km/h
- Service Ceiling10,000 m
- Range3,200 km
- Endurance12
- On-Station Time6
◇Mission Systems9MOD.9
- Primary Sensor / RadarDropsonde system
- AESA RadarNo
- Rotodome / AEW AntennaNo
- Operator Consoles5
- SIGINT / ELINT SuiteNo
- Magnetic Anomaly DetectorNo
- Sonobuoy CapabilityNo
- Tactical DatalinkYes
- Self-Protection SuiteNo
◆Armament (ASW/Strike)3MOD.3
- TorpedoesNo
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Weapons Payload0 kg
▤Dimensions3MOD.3
- Length29.8 m
- Wingspan40.4 m
- Max Takeoff Weight70,307 kg
⬢Production2MOD.2
- Total Built50
- Operators10
▲Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start1962
- Operational StatusActive
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1967Production started
59
years in service
50
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT RANKING Intelligence / Recon Aircraft · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
75INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT28COLD WAR · INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT1670UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS14PERFORMANCE/PRICE · INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT
ⓘ Rankings are within theIntelligence / Recon Aircraftcategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE1terms
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources