USAF SW Lab Lockheed HC-130H Hercules

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The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by the Lockheed Corporation (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medivac, and cargo transport aircraft. The versatile airframe has found uses in other roles, including as a gunship (AC-130), for airborne assault, search and rescue, scientific research support, weather reconnaissance, aerial refueling, maritime patrol, and aerial firefighting. It is now the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide. More than 40 variants of the Hercules, including civilian versions marketed as the Lockheed L-100, operate in more than 60 nations.

The C-130 Hercules entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1956 and during its decades of service, the Hercules has participated in numerous military, civilian and humanitarian aid operations. In 2007, the Hercules became the fifth aircraft to mark 50 years of continuous service with its original primary customer, the US Air Force. The C-130 is the longest continuously produced military aircraft at more than 60 years, with the updated Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules being produced as of 2023.

The HC-130 is a family of long-range search and rescue variants used by the USAF. Equipped for the deep deployment of Pararescue (PJs), survival equipment, and aerial refueling of combat rescue helicopters, the HC-130s are usually the on-scene command aircraft for USAF combat SAR missions. The HC-130H is an early model combat search and rescue aircraft

The Kirtland Air Force Base’s Special Weapons Laboratory conducted extensive high altitude research testing with a HC-130H, 50980, beginning in 1963. The recovery of instrumented nose cones fired from launch facilities in the South Pacific were caught in mid air by these HC-130H aircraft. The aircraft and crews returned the recovered nose cones to Kirtland AFB after each mission.

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