The Lockheed Martin C130A Hercules is one of the world's most powerful transport aircraft. The Lockheed Martin C130A Hercules has a long history and is still in use by over 60 countries. The original design was to transport troops. However, it has evolved into a versatile aircraft that can be used for both commercial and military missions. The C130 family is capable of performing a wide range of missions.
Since 1954 when it was first flown, the C130 Hercules aircraft has been flown hundreds of times and used in many other countries. In fact, the airframe has been used to perform more than 20 million flight hours and accumulated more than 20 percent of the world's total flying time. The aircraft is considered a great workhorse. A number of variants are available to meet the needs of any mission.
One of the first C-130 variants to enter service was the C130H, which was equipped with a new engine. This model also included upgrades to the avionics and an external tank for fuel. A second variant, the C-130E had a different engine and a fuel tank added to the cargo compartment.
During the Vietnam War, the A-model Hercules operated classified special operations missions, such as BLIND BAT FAC/Flare. They have also been involved in numerous relief operations across the globe. They have also landed or dropped military supplies in hot spots, and attacked ground targets with cannons.
With many variants, C-130 can take off from and land at short runways. Many Hercules models have the ability to be configured for different cargo types, including palletized and truck-delivery containers. No matter what requirements are, the aircraft is preferred by the United States and other international nations because of its unmatched versatility and proven performance.
Today, the C-130 Hercules has become the preferred choice of US government for transportation, search-and-rescue and resupply operations. This aircraft was involved in many operations including the 2003 invasion, as well as the Gulf War of91. The aircraft was used in operational capacities by Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States during the 2003 invasion. The C-130, which was at an altitude approximately 50 meters, was captured and destroyed by insurgents during the conflict. Despite this incident the aircraft continued to be used throughout the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
The aircraft has been involved in a number of humanitarian missions, including the rescue of 103 hijacked passengers at Entebbe Airport in Uganda. This is the first time such an operation has been performed by any airframe. The aircraft was also used in oil dispersing operations in Gulf of Mexico. Many of the aircraft have been deployed in the International Security Assistance Force (Operation Enduring Freedom), and are still used to this day. The C-130 is the fourth-longest-running American aircraft production line, with more than 70 variants.