Lockheed RC-130 Hercules

The Lockheed RC-130 Hercules are retired variants of the C-130 Hercules, designed for photographic or electronic reconnaissance missions.

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.

Variants

 * C-130A-II
 * Electronics reconnaissance variant for use by 7407th Combat Support Wing, ten conversions from C-130A.


 * RC-130A
 * Photo reconnaissance variant, one converted from a TC-130A and 15 built new.


 * C-130B-II
 * Electronic reconnaissance variant, 15 converted from C-130B later designated RC-130B.


 * RC-130B
 * Re-designated from C-130B-II, all later converted back to C-130Bs.


 * 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.

Operators

 * United States Air Force
 * United States Air Force