C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules is the West's standard tactical airlifter, in continuous production in Marietta, Georgia, since 1954, the longest run of any military aircraft in history, with more than 2,700 delivered. The design answered a 1951 US Air Force requirement for a transport able to use short, unprepared strips, the mission profile that still defines it.
The C-130J Super Hercules, first delivered in 1999, turned a 40-year-old airframe into a current one: Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 engines, six-blade propellers and a two-pilot cockpit raised cruise speed and cut crew workload, and more than 20 nations operate the J-model as of 2026. Continuing US and export orders keep the Marietta line contracted into the 2030s.
C-130 Hercules at a glance
The current Super Hercules family spans a standard airlifter, a stretched version, a tanker and a civil freighter, all built on the same Marietta line.
Variant comparison
| Specification | C-130J | C-130J-30 | KC-130J | LM-100J |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration | Standard-length tactical airlifter | Stretched fuselage, 15 feet longer | Aerial refueling tanker | Civil-certified freighter |
| Primary operator | US Air Force and 20+ nations | USAF and export customers | US Marine Corps | Commercial operators |
| Distinguishing feature | Baseline Super Hercules | More payload volume and paratroop capacity | Hose-and-drogue refueling for aircraft and helicopters | FAA-certified commercial Hercules |
The J-model's six-blade propellers, Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engines and glass cockpit transformed the Hercules' performance, and the type has been in continuous production since 1954, the longest run of any military aircraft in history.
Full specifications
Latest C-130 Hercules coverage from AeroTime
Operators
Frequently asked questions
Since 1954, the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft, with more than 2,700 built.
The C-130J Super Hercules is the current generation, with Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engines, six-blade propellers and a two-pilot glass cockpit that together sharply improve performance and cut crew workload.
About 60 nations have flown Hercules variants; the current C-130J serves more than 20 operators, led by the United States.