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C-130J/J-30 major system improvements include advanced two-pilot flight
station with fully integrated digital avionics, color multifunctional liquid crystal
and head-up displays and state-of-the-art navigation that includes a dual inertial
navigation system and GPS. The aircraft also features fully integrated defensive
systems, low-power color radar, digital moving map display, new turboprop
engines with six-bladed all-composite propellers and a digital auto pilot. The C-
130J/J-30 also includes improved fuel, environmental and ice-protection and an
enhanced cargo-handling system.
Background
Four decades have elapsed since the Air Force issued its original design
specification, yet the remarkable C-130 remains in production. The initial
production model was the C-130A, with four Allison T56-A-11 or -9 turboprop
engines. A total of 219 were ordered and deliveries began in December 1956. The
C-130B introduced Allison T56-A-7 turboprop engines and the first of 134
entered Air Force service in May 1959.
Introduced in August of 1962, the 389 C-130Es that were ordered using the same
Allison T56-A-7 engine, but adding two 1,290 gallon external fuel tanks and an
increased maximum takeoff weight capability. June 1974 introduced the first of
308 C-130Hs with the more powerful Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engine. Nearly
identical to the C-130E externally, the new engine brought major performance
improvements to the aircraft.
The latest C-130 to be produced, the C-130J, entered the inventory in February
1999. With the noticeable difference of a six-bladed composite propeller coupled
to a Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 turboprop engine, the C-130J brings substantial
performance improvements over all previous models. The C-130J-30, a stretch
version with a 15-foot fuselage extension, increases the capabilities even more.
To date, the Air Force has taken delivery of 77 C-130J aircraft from Lockheed-
Martin Aeronautics Company.
Active-duty locations for the C-130 and its variations are Dyess Air Force Base,
Texas; Little Rock AFB, Ark.; Ramstein Air Base, Germany; and Yokota AB,
Japan.
Air Force Reserve locations for assigned C-130 models are Dobbins Air Reserve
Base, Ga.; Keesler AFB, Miss.; Maxwell AFB, Ala.; Minnesota-St. Paul Joint Air
Reserve Station, Minn.; Niagara Falls ARS, N.Y.; Peterson AFB, Colo.;
Pittsburgh ARS, Pa.; Pope Field, N.C. and Youngstown ARS, Ohio.
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