Lockheed RC-130 Hercules
Military reconnaissance aircraft mainly used in the U.S. Air Force
| RC-130 Hercules | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A C-130 similar to this one, can be modified for reconnaissance | |
| Role | Military reconnaissance aircraft Type of aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed |
| First flight | 1958 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Produced | 15 |
| Developed from | Lockheed C-130 Hercules |
The Lockheed RC-130 Hercules are retired variants of the C-130 Hercules, designed for photographic or electronic reconnaissance missions.[1]
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]
Operators
United States
See also
Aviation portal
Related development
- Lockheed C-130 Hercules
- Lockheed AC-130
- Lockheed DC-130
- Lockheed EC-130
- Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call
- Lockheed HC-130
- Lockheed L-100 Hercules
- Lockheed LC-130
- Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules
- Lockheed Martin KC-130
- Lockheed MC-130
- Lockheed WC-130
Related lists
References
Bibliography
- Francillon, René. Lockheed Aircraft since 1913. London: Putnam, 1982. ISBN 0-370-30329-6.
