Lockheed HC-130
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.
| HC-130 Hercules | |
|---|---|
| A USAF HC-130P from the 211th Rescue Squadron | |
| Role | CSAR/rescue aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Lockheed Martin |
| First flight | 1959 2002 (USCG HC-130J) 29 July 2010 (USAF HC-130J) |
| Introduction | 1959 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | United States Air Force United States Coast Guard |
| Number built | HC-130P/N: Active force, 13; ANG, 13; Reserve, 10
HC-130H: 22; two with the Avionics One Upgrade (A1U) HC-130J: 6 |
| Developed from | Lockheed C-130 Hercules |
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.