Lockheed_RC-130_Hercules

Lockheed RC-130 Hercules

Lockheed RC-130 Hercules

Military reconnaissance aircraft mainly used in the U.S. Air Force

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

Quick Facts RC-130 Hercules, Role ...

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

See also

Related development

Related lists

[4]

References

  1. [1]
    Francillon 1982, p. 347-373
  2. [2]
    "NSA PDF file" (PDF).
  3. [3]
    Pike, John. "Battlefield Illumination Airborne System (BIAS)". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  4. [4]
    "Why Iran's Air Force is Still Flying American Planes". 13 February 2017.

Bibliography

  • Francillon, René. Lockheed Aircraft since 1913. London: Putnam, 1982. ISBN 0-370-30329-6.
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