The C-130 Hercules is the workhorse of the
RAF transport fleet. Over the years it has proved to be a versatile
and rugged aircraft, primarily intended for tactical operations
including troop carrying, paratrooping, supply dropping and
aeromedical duties.
The Hercules can operate from short unprepared airstrips, but also
possesses the endurance to mount long-range strategic lifts if
required.
As a troop carrier, the
Hercules can carry 92 fully armed men, while for airborne operations
64 paratroops can be dispatched in two simultaneous 'sticks' through the fuselage side doors. Alternatively, 40 paratroops can jump
from the rear loading ramp. As an air ambulance the aircraft can
accommodate 74 stretchers. Freight loads that can be parachuted from
the aircraft include: 16 x 1 ton containers or 4 x 8,000 pound
platforms or 2 x 16,000 pound platforms or 1 x platform of 30,000
pounds plus.
Amongst the many
combinations of military loads that can be carried in an air-landed
operation are: 3 x Ferret scout cars plus 30 passengers or 2 x Land
Rovers and 30 passengers or 2 x Gazelle helicopters.
Of the original 66 C1 aircraft, some 31 have been given a fuselage
stretch producing the Mark C3. The C3 'stretched version'
provides an additional 37% more cargo space. Refuelling probes have
been fitted above the cockpit of both variants and some have received
radar warning pods under the wing tips. One aircraft, designated Mark
W2, is a special weather version and is located at the DRA Farnborough.
Hercules C-130J C4/C5
The RAF has replaced some of its Hercules C1/C3 aircraft with
second-generation C-130Js on a one-for-one basis. Twenty-five Hercules
C4 and C5 aircraft were ordered in December 94, and the first entered
service in 2000 – two years behind schedule. Deliveries were completed
by 2003 at a total cost of just over £1bn.The C4 is the same size as
the older Hercules C3 which features a fuselage lengthened by 4.57 m
(15ft) than the original C1.
The Hercules C5 is the
new equivalent of the shorter model. With a
flight deck crew of two plus one loadmaster, the C-130J can carry
up to 128 infantry, 92 paratroops, 8 pallets or 24 CDS bundles. The
Hercules C4/C5s have new Allison turboprop engines, R391 6-bladed
composite propellers and a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC).
This propulsion system increases take-off thrust by 29% and is 15%
more efficient. Consequently, there is no longer a requirement for the
external tanks to be fitted. An entirely revised 'glass' flight deck
with head-up displays (HUD) and four multi-function displays (MFD)
replacing many of the dials of the original aircraft. These displays
are compatible with night-vision goggles (NVG).
|
C-130
HERCULES C1/C3
Specifications
|
| Crew
|
5/6
|
| Capacity
|
92 troops or 64 paratroops or 74 medical
litters
|
| Length
C1
|
29.79m
|
| Length
C3 |
34.69m
|
| Height
|
11.66m
|
| Span
|
40.41m
|
| Speed |
374mph/602
kph |
| Empty
Weight |
34,287kg Max |
| Max freight
capacity |
43,399lb/19,685kg |
| All
-up Weight |
45,093kg Max |
| Service Ceiling |
13,075m |
| Engine
|
4 x Allison T-56A-15 turboprops. |
In
service with:
|
24 Squadron |
11 x Hercules C3/C4/C5 |
RAF Lyneham |
|
30 Squadron |
11 x Hercules C3/C4/C5 |
RAF Lyneham |
|
47 Squadron |
11 x Hercules C1/C3/C4/C5 |
RAF Lyneham |
|
70 Squadron |
11 x Hercules C1/C3/C4/C5 |
RAF Lyneham |
The LTW (Lyneham
Transport Wing) appears to have a total of 44 aircraft (including five
in
reserve). The squadron totals are given as a guide to what we believe
are the average aircraft figures per squadron at any one
time.
Average number of flying hours per
aircraft July – December 2005
| |
July |
August |
September |
October |
November |
December |
| C-130 |
103 |
99 |
88 |
84 |
96 |
114 |