The C-130H is an all-purpose theater transport that performs diverse roles, including tactical and inter-theater airlift and airdrop, AE, aerial spraying, aerial firefighting, and humanitarian support.
The developmental YC-130A first flew in August 1954 with the C-130A entering USAF service in 1956. The H model improved on the later C-130E and was delivered starting in 1965, with delivery of the current, more advanced models starting in 1974. Improvements included uprated engines, redesigned outer wing, improved pneumatic systems, new avionics, improved radar, and NVG lighting.
USAF is replacing the fleet with the C-130J while modernizing the remaining C130Hs. Primary upgrades consist of the Avionics Modernization Program and NP2000 propeller retrofits, center wing box replacement, and low-cost mods.
AMP Increment 1 added new CNS/ATM and brought legacy C-130s into compliance with international airspace rules. The first Increment 2 upgrade was completed in 2022, adding terrain awareness and warning, new flight management, and modern glass cockpit displays. UHF SATCOM modernization was added in FY23, rolling in Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) secure, jam-resistant BLOS, and NATO-interoperable LOS SATURN. A total of 77 aircraft are planned for upgrade through 2029. Legacy four-bladed propellers will be replaced fleetwide by the eight-bladed NP2000 propellers in 2025 , enhancing performance up to 20 percent and eliminating cracking problems.
AFRC’s 910th AW at Youngstown began transitioning to the C-130J in 2024, and ANG units in Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, and Montana will also upgrade to the C-130J in the coming years.
USAF plans to cut six C-130Hs this year, replacing them with C-130Js on a one-for-one basis to maintain the congressionally mandated 271-airframe tactical fleet.
C-130H Hercules Technical Data
Contractors: Lockheed Martin, L3Harris (AMP Increment 2), Collins Aerospace (AMP/NP2000).
First Flight: 1965 (C-130H).
Delivered: March 1965 onward (C-130H1); April 1975-96 (current C130H2/H3).
IOC: Circa 1974.
Production: 1,202 (C-130H).
Inventory: 167
Operator: ANG, AFRC, AFSOC
Aircraft Location: Dobbins ARB, Ga.; Little Rock AFB, Ark.; Maxwell AFB, Ala.; Minneapolis-St. Paul Arpt./ARS, Minn.; Peterson AFB, Colo. (MAFFS); Youngstown ARS, Ohio (Aerial Spray); and ANG in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada (MAFFS), Ohio, Texas, West Virginia, Wyoming (MAFFS).
Active Variant: •C-130H Hercules. Updated late-production version of the legacy C-130.
Dimensions: Span 132.6 ft, length 97.8 ft, height 38.8 ft.; J-30 length 112.8 ft.
Weight: : Max T-O 155,000 lb; max payload 42,000 lb.
Power Plant: Four Allison T56-A-15, or Rolls-Royce T56 3.5 turboprops, each 4,591 shp.
Performance: Speed 366 mph; range with 35,000 lb payload 1,496 miles.
Ceiling: With max payload, 23,000 ft.
Accommodation: Two pilots, navigator, flight engineer, loadmaster.
Load: Up to 92 combat troops or 64 paratroopers or 74 litters or six cargo pallets or 16 Container Delivery System (CDS) bundles or any combination of these up to max weight.
