Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules

First flying 68 years ago, the Lockheed Hercules is a four-engine military transport plane that has seen extensive service throughout NATO and other nations around the world. The Hercules is still in production as the C-130J Super Hercules. In addition to transport, operators of the C-130 have found a variety of different uses for the type. This has included being a gunship armed with artillery cannons, search and rescue, scientific research, aerial refuelling, electronic combat and maritime patrol to name but a few. Whilst the C-130J is still in production and is still receiving new orders, the RAF were the launch customer for this new version of the Hercules in 1995 and retired their last example during 2023.

Norway operates a fleet of four C-130J-30 stretched Hercules from an original fleet of five delivered between 2008 and 2012. All four aircraft are flown by 335 Squadron who are based near Oslo. The fleet are currently being rotated through Greenville in South Carolina where they are being upgraded to the latest production standard. The first upgrade was completed earlier this year.

The Royal Norwegian Air Force will be sending one of their C-130J-30s for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo as part of our celebration of 75 years of NATO.

Photo Credit: Kev Storer