Military · Lockheed
Lockheed C-130 Hercules (legacy models) C130
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport that has been flying since 1954. It has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft.
C-130 Herculess airborne over the US now
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C-130 Herculess in the air over the last 24 hours
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Specifications
- ICAO code
- C130
- First flight
- 1954
- Typical cruise
- 290 kt / 334 mph
- Service ceiling
- 33,000 ft
- Range
- 2,000 nm / 2,302 mi
- Capacity
- Crew of 4-5; up to about 42,000 lb of cargo or 92 troops
- Length
- 29.8 m / 98 ft
- Wingspan
- 40.4 m / 133 ft
Engines: 4 x Allison T56 turboprops with four-blade propellers. Family: C-130 Hercules. Figures are typical published values, rounded; real performance depends on variant, weight and conditions.
What it does in US skies
Legacy C-130H and earlier models fly airlift, firefighting, weather reconnaissance and many special missions, mostly with Guard and Reserve units. Some ex-military Hercules fight wildfires as air tankers.
Main US operators: Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, US Navy and Marine Corps, Aerial firefighting contractors.
How to recognize a C-130 Hercules
- Four turboprops with straight four-blade propellers
- High wing on a broad, rounded fuselage
- Tall single tail and upswept rear cargo door
- Nose radome on a blunt, rounded nose
How it looks on a flight tracker
Usually flies 15,000 to 25,000 feet at 250 to 300 knots, lower on training or firefighting flights. Military flights may appear with limited details or not at all.
History
The YC-130 prototype first flew in August 1954, and more than 2,500 Hercules of all models have been built. Variants include gunships, tankers, and the Antarctic ski-equipped LC-130.
Where C-130 Herculess are right now
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What is the ICAO code for the Lockheed C-130 Hercules (legacy models)?
The ICAO aircraft type designator for the Lockheed C-130 Hercules (legacy models) is C130. Flight trackers and flight plans use this four-character code.
How fast does the C-130 Hercules fly?
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules (legacy models) typically cruises at about 290 knots true airspeed (about 334 mph). Ground speed on a tracker varies with the wind.
How high can the C-130 Hercules fly?
Its service ceiling is about 33,000 ft.