Mission
The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the intratheater portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips, and is the prime transport for paradropping troops and equipments into hostile areas.
Characteristics
Primary Function: Intratheater airlift
Contractor: Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Company
Power Plant: Four Allison T56-A-15 turboprops
Thrust: 4,300 horsepower each engine
Length: 97 feet, 9 inches (29.3 meters)
Height: 38 feet, 3 inches (11.4 meters)
Wingspan: 132 feet, 7 inches (39.7 meters)
Speed: 374 miles per hour (Mach 0.57) at 20,000 feet (6,060 meters)
Ceiling: 33,000 feet (10,000 meters) with 100,000 pounds (45,000 kilograms) payload
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 155,000 pounds (69,750 kilograms)
Range: 2,356 miles (2,049 nautical miles) with maximum payload; 2,500 miles (2,174
nautical miles) with 25,000 pounds (11,250 kilograms) cargo; 5,200 miles (4,522 nautical
miles) with no cargo.
Crew: Five (two pilots, a navigator, flight engineer, and loadmaster)
Date Deployed: April 1955
Unit Cost: $22.9 million (1992 dollars)
Inventory: Active force = 98; ANG = 20 B's, 60 E's, 93 H's; Reserve = 606
