The legendary C-130 Hercules is one of the-if not the-most successful military aircraft of all time.Thisversatile Lockheed-builtworkhorse has performed more kinds of missions, by more air arms, in more wartime and peacetime operations, for more years, than has any other airplane. It has been in continuous production for its first user-USAF-since 1954. Thefour-engine turboprop Hercules was conceived as a simple, rugged tactical lifter able to use short and rough runways. Though designed for transport, it has taken on many other roles, modified into the AC-130 gunship, EC-130 electronic combat aircraft, KC-130 aerial tanker, MC-130 series of special operations forces transports, and more. It has been used for airborne assault, combat search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation, weather recon, maritime patrol, and firefighting. "The Herk" is vividly associated with Vietnam. It has, however, flown in virtually all US military and humanitarian operations of the past six decades. Its service life is nowhere near an end; USAF plans to keep acquiring the C-130J-30 for years to come.
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