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 will be retiring their last example shortly before this year’s Air Tattoo.

Deliveries of the C-130J to the USAF began in 1999 and provided their airlift squadrons with significant improvements in cruising speed, payload and range. The USAF operate two versions of the C-130J, the standard and stretch C-130J-30, the latter of which can fly 500 nautical miles further than the normal version. As or March 2022, the USAF had 273 C-130Js in service.

The US Air Force will be sending one of their C-130Js for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo as part of our celebration of 75 years of NATO. The aircraft will be provided by the 37th Airlift Squadron based at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Photo Credit: Peter Reoch