Lockheed RC-130 Hercules
Military reconnaissance aircraft mainly used in the U.S. Air Force
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Lockheed RC-130 Hercules are retired variants of the C-130 Hercules, designed for photographic or electronic reconnaissance missions.[1]
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| RC-130 Hercules | |
|---|---|
| A C-130 similar to this one, can be modified for reconnaissance | |
| General information | |
| Type | Military reconnaissance aircraft |
National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 15 |
| First flight | 1958 |
Developed from | Lockheed C-130 Hercules |
Operational history
On 2 September 1958, C-130A-II 56-0528 was shot down after it intruded into Soviet airspace during a reconnaissance mission along the Turkish-Armenian border.[2]
Variants
- C-130A-II
- Electronics reconnaissance variant for use by 7407th Combat Support Wing, ten conversions from C-130A.[1]
- RC-130A
- Photo reconnaissance variant, one converted from a TC-130A and 15 built new.[1]
- C-130B-II
- Electronic reconnaissance variant, 15 converted from C-130B later designated RC-130B.[1]
- RC-130B
- Re-designated from C-130B-II, all later converted back to C-130Bs.[1]
- RC-130S
- Two JC-130A aircraft were modified with the Battlefield Illumination Airborne System (BIAS) for night search-and rescue missions with the 446th Tactical Airlift Wing.[1][3]
Former Operators
See also
Related development
- Lockheed C-130 Hercules – American military transport aircraft
- Lockheed AC-130 – Gunship aircraft series by Lockheed
- Lockheed DC-130 – American military UAV carrier
- Lockheed EC-130 – 1975 electronic warfare aircraft series by Lockheed
- Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call – Communications jamming aircraft version of the C-130H Hercules
- Lockheed HC-130 – Search and rescue aircraft version of the C-130 Hercules
- Lockheed L-100 Hercules – Turboprop transport aircraft
- Lockheed LC-130 – Ski-equipped military transport aircraft
- Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules – Military transport aircraft
- Lockheed Martin KC-130 – Aerial refueling tanker based on Lockheed Martin C-130
- Lockheed MC-130 – Special mission military aircraft
- Lockheed WC-130 – Weather aircraft series by Lockheed
Related lists