Lockheed HC-130

USCG HC-130J Taxiing on the runway at NAS Oceana

HC-130 Hercules
A USAF HC-130P from the 211th Rescue Squadron
General information
TypeCSAR/rescue aircraft
National originUnited States
ManufacturerLockheed
Lockheed Martin
StatusIn service
Primary usersUnited States Air Force
Number builtHC-130P/N: Active force, 13; ANG, 13; Reserve, 10
HC-130H: 22; two with the Avionics One Upgrade (A1U)
HC-130J: 6
History
Introduction date1959
First flight1959
2002 (USCG HC-130J)
29 July 2010 (USAF HC-130J)
Developed fromLockheed C-130 Hercules
USCG HC-130H flying in Hawaii, 2015.
A USAF HC-130P refuels an HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, 1968.
USCG HC-130H on International Ice Patrol duties

The Lockheed HC-130 is an extended-range, search and rescue (SAR)/combat search and rescue (CSAR) version of the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft, with two different versions operated by two separate services in the U.S. armed forces.

The HC-130H Hercules and HC-130J Super Hercules versions are operated by the United States Coast Guard in a SAR and maritime reconnaissance role.

The HC-130P Combat King and HC-130J Combat King II variants are operated by the United States Air Force for long-range SAR and CSAR. The USAF variants also execute on scene CSAR command and control, airdrop pararescue forces and equipment, and are also capable of providing aerial refueling to appropriately equipped USAF, US Army, USN, USMC, and NATO/Allied helicopters in flight. In this latter role, they are primarily used to extend the range and endurance of combat search and rescue helicopters.

In July 2015, it was announced that the U.S. Forest Service will be receiving some of the U.S. Coast Guard's HC-130H aircraft to use as aerial fire retardant drop tankers as the Coast Guard replaces the HC-130H with additional HC-130J and HC-27J Spartan aircraft, the latter being received from the Air National Guard as part of a USAF-directed divestment of the C-27.