Lockheed RC-130 Hercules

The Lockheed RC-130 Hercules are retired variants of the C-130 Hercules, designed for photographic or electronic reconnaissance missions.^[1]

RC-130 Hercules
A C-130 similar to this one, can be modified for reconnaissance
Role	Military reconnaissance 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

Operational history

A replica of 56-0528, a C-130A-II "Sun Valley" reconnaissance aircraft shot down over Armenia, Soviet Union, in 1958, on display at the National Cryptologic Museum, Fort Meade, Maryland

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

• United States Air Force

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

• List of accidents and incidents involving the Lockheed C-130 Hercules

^[4]