MC-130P Combat Shadow

USAF photo by Capt. Alex Carothers

Mission
The MC-130P Combat Shadow flies clandestine or low visibility, low-level missions into politically sensitive or hostile territory to provide air refueling for special operations helicopters. The MC-130P primarily flies its single- or multi-ship missions at night to reduce detection and intercept by airborne threats.

Secondary mission capabilities include air drop of small special operations teams, small bundles, and zodiac and combat rubber raiding craft; as well as night-vision goggle takeoffs and landings; tactical airborne radar approaches and in-flight refueling as a receiver.

Characteristics
Primary Function: Air refueling for special operations forces helicopters
Contractor: Lockheed Aircraft Corp.
Power Plant: Four Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engines
Thrust: 4,910 shaft horsepower, each engine
Length: 98 feet, 9 inches (30.09 meters)
Height: 38 feet, 6 inches (11.7 meters)
Wingspan: 132 feet, 7 inches (40.4 meters)
Speed: 289 miles per hour at sea level
Ceiling: 33,000 feet(10,000 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 155,000 pounds (69,750 kilograms)
Range: Beyond 4,000 miles (3,478 nautical miles)
Crew: Five officers (pilot, co-pilot, primary navigator, secondary navigator) and four enlisted (one flight engineer, two loadmasters, and one communications systems operator)
Date Deployed: 1986
Unit Cost: $16.5 million (1992 dollars)
Inventory: Active force = 23; National Guard = 0; Reserve = 5

 

ALL INFORMATION IS FROM THE U.S. AIR FORCE WEBSITE