Lockheed Martin KC-130
| KC-130 | |
|---|---|
| A KC-130J from VMGR-252 flies over the Mediterranean Sea, 15 June 2014 | |
| Role | Tanker (aircraft) / Transport, Overwatch / Ground support ((Harvest HAWK variant)). |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Lockheed Martin |
| Introduction | KC-130F: 1962 KC-130R: 1976 KC-130T: 1983 KC-130J: April 2004 |
| Retired | KC-130F (2006) KC-130R (2007) KC-130T (2021) |
| Status | Active |
| Primary users | United States Marine Corps Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Number built | KC-130B: 6 KC-130F: 46 KC-130H: 33 KC-130R: 14 KC-130T: 28 KC-130J: 53 |
| Developed from | Lockheed C-130 Hercules Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules |
| Developed into | Lockheed Martin HC-130J Lockheed Martin MC-130J |
The Lockheed Martin (previously Lockheed) KC-130 is a family of the extended-range tanker version of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. The KC-130J is the latest variant operated by the United States Marine Corps (USMC), with 48 delivered out of 79 ordered. It replaced older KC-130F, KC-130R, and KC-130T variants for aerial refueling. USMC reserve unit, VMGR-452 operated 12 KC-130T aircraft until May 2021; this was the last USMC reserve unit that operated the legacy KC-130s, completing the Corps' transition to the more advanced Super Hercules.