How to Put 87 Tons of Cargo Airborne: The C-130J

Written by Dabney B. on Friday, March 2nd, 2012

You would be hard-pressed to find an aircraft more reliable and popular than the C-130 Hercules. This massive military transport aircraft took its first flight in the fall of 1954, and it has proved its effectiveness time and time again. To phrase it more accurately, though, it’s the C-130 family that is so popular in the US military. The C-130 has served as inspiration for literally dozens of variants, including the AC-130U Spooky, the KC-130 aerial refueler, and the WC-130 Weatherbird weather reconnaissance aircraft.

The C-130 (or at least one of its variants) can perform spectacularly in virtually any role you can dream up for such a massive aircraft. Its expansive cargo space allow it to carry troops, sensors, or equipment with equal ease, while its hefty frame and four-engine design make it a tough, competent aircraft. In fact, the Hercules family holds the record of being the longest continued production of any aircraft in history. And with the relatively recent introduction of the C-130J Super Hercules, it looks as though this family is here to stay.

The C-130J is a major improvement over its ancient ordering valium online predecessor, the C-130. A host of new technology makes the C-130J faster, capable of enduring longer flights, and easier to fly. This particular variant is primarily used as a military transport and aerial refueler, and it has a proven track record with admirable in-theater performance.

The US has allowed other countries to purchase the C-130J, which has made it one of the most widespread military aircraft on earth. A brief list of some of the countries that currently use C-130Js or have a contract with Lockheed Martin include Isreal, Kuwait, India, Norway, and Canada.

After seeing the C-130J in action, it’s easy to understand what makes the Super Hercules the go-to choice for military transport. The rails built into the cargo bay door make aerial unloading, which can be a dangerous task, easy and precise. This allows pilots to drop parachuted cargo at a target location with fairly reliable accuracy. In certain missions, the C-130J can drop off valuable equipment to forward positions that would otherwise be completely inaccessible for cargo aircraft as large as the Super Hercules.

 

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