C-130 Hercules medium transport
The Royal Australian Air Force operates two models of the ubiquitous Hercules medium transport, the C-130H and the C-130J. They are operated by No 37 Squadron, based at RAAF Base Richmond, near Sydney.
The Hercules is a key part of the Air Force fleet, providing medium to long range transport with an excellent short dirt runway capability, allowing it to perform:
- tactical or strategic transport
duties
- troop transport
- special forces insertion
- parachuting (both static-line and free-fall)
- airdrop of stores and equipment, including four-wheel drives, inflatable boats and artillery pieces
- search and survivor assistance, including airdrop of Air-Sea Rescue Kits (life rafts, radios, water, emergency rations)
- disaster relief, delivering necessities domestically (eg, Katherine floods, 1998) and internationally (eg, Pakistan earthquakes, 2005)
- medical evacuations, whether as a result of military action (eg, Timor, 1999), terrorist bombings (eg, Bali, 2002 and 2005) or natural disasters (eg, Boxing Day 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami).
The C-130H Hercules, introduced in 1978, has:
- camouflage paint scheme
- four-blade propellers
- five crew – two pilots, navigator, flight engineer and a loadmaster
- self-protection systems including chaff and flare dispensers
- night-vision goggles for tactical operations at night.
The C-130J Hercules, introduced in 1999, has:
- light grey paint scheme
- six-blade propellers
- three crew – two pilots and a loadmaster
- a larger, stretched cargo area, capable of fitting two more cargo pallets than a C-130H
- updated avionics and 'glass cockpit' flightdeck featuring
- fighter-style controls on the control columns
- two head-up displays (HUDs)
- four large multi-function displays
- five monochrome displays
- head-down display
- traffic and ground collision avoidance systems
- stick pusher to prevent inadvertent aircraft stall
- compatibility with night-vision goggles and electronic counter-measures (not routinely fitted).
Related links
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
|---|---|
| Role | Medium tactical and multi-role transport |
| Crew | Two pilots, navigator, flight engineer, loadmaster |
| Engine | Four Allison turboprops (4,190 shaft horsepower each) driving 4-blade propellers |
| Airframe | Length: 29.7m height: 11.8m |
| Wingspan | 40.4m |
| Weight | 70,450kg is the Max AUW (79,380kg is the Maximum Alternate AUW) |
| Speed | 595km/h (normal operations) |
| Range | 5,100km with 14,000kg payload |
| Ceiling | 40,000 feet |
| Accommodation | Depending on configuration:
|
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
|---|---|
| Role | Medium tactical and multi-role transport |
| Crew | Two pilots, loadmaster |
| Engine | Four Allison AE2100D3 turboprops (4,590 shaft horsepower each) driving 6-blade variable-pitch propellers |
| Airframe | Length: 34.37m, height: 10.1m |
| Wingspan | 40.4m |
| Weight | 79,380kg maximum (19,500kg payload) |
| Speed | 625km/h (normal operations) |
| Range | 5,100km with 18,155kg payload |
| Ceiling | 35,000 feet |
| Accommodation | Depending on configuration:
|