History
The KC-130 was developed in the late 1950’s as the US was looking for another way the ubiquitous C-130 platform could be used for. It was designed as an aerial refuelling tanker to be used by the USMC for the usual refuelling missions but also to be able to continue in the role the C-130 provided, that being a troop/cargo transport. The KC-130 made it’s first flight in January 1960 and entered service two years later in 1962.
The KC-130 has been used throughout various conflicts such as the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm and many more where it has seen large success in it’s various missions. The KC-130 has also been used by many nations besides the United States such as Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia to name a few.
The latest version of the KC-130 is the KC-130J which offers a larger fuel capacity through the use of external wing tanks. In 2009 the USMC announced plans for the Harvest HAWK (Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit) program which aimed to arm the KC-130J with various guided munitions so that it can also play the role of a gunship. The program added the capability for AGM-114P2/P2A Hellfire missiles taking the place of the left most external fuel tank, AGM-176 Griffin and GBU-44 Viper Strike to be deployed from either from the rear cargo ramp or the “derringer door” system which replaces the rear side paratrooper door with a weapons rail which is able to deploy said weapons without the need to depressurise the cabin. Harvest Hawk also added the AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight System found on the AH-1Z Viper mounted to the left wing inner external fuel tank which can be controlled by a weapons system officer to guide it’s weapon systems to the targets and AN/ALQ-231(V)1 Intrepid Tiger II electronic warfare pod. There was plans for a 30mm Bushmaster cannon with some aircraft being fitted with them however it was deemed impractical due to it’s inaccuracy and concerns over vibrations so the cannon was removed from testing.
Specifications
Size
- Length - 97 ft 9 in (29.79 m)
- Wingspan - 132 ft 7 in (40.41 m)
- Height - 38 ft 10 in (11.84 m)
Weight
- Empty weight - 75,562 lb (34,274 kg)
- Gross weight - 164,000 lb (74,389 kg)
- Max takeoff weight - 175,000 lb (79,379 kg)
- Fuel capacity - 61,364 lb (27,834 kg) (with external tanks)
Powerplant
- 4 x Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprop engines
Performance
- Maximum speed - 362 kn (417 mph, 670 km/h)
- Cruise speed - 348 kn (400 mph, 644 km/h)
- Range - 2,835 nmi (3,262 mi, 5,250 km)
- Service ceiling - 28,000 ft (8,500 m) with 42,000 lb (19,051 kg) payload
- Take-off run - 3,127 ft (953 m) at 155,000 lb (70,307 kg)
Armament
- 1 x 30mm Bushmaster cannon (Tested on 4 aircrafts but abandoned)
- 4 x AGM-114P2 / P2A Hellfire missiles
- 20 x AGM-176 Griffin missiles (10 x from the cargo ramp + 10 x from the Derringer Door system)
- 20 x GBU-44 Viper Strike guided bombs (10 x from the cargo ramp + 10 x from the Derringer Door system)
Avionics (Relevant to WT)
- LAIRCM ( Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures
- AN/ALR-56M Radar Warning Receiver
- AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispensers
- AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight System
- AN/ALQ-231(V)1 Intrepid Tiger II Pod
Pictures
KC-130J firing AGM-114 during tests at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.
KC-130J with Bushmaster cannon installed for testing.
AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight System mounted to the external fuel tank.
The Common Launch Tube System mounted on the rear cargo bay door used to deploy 10 x AGM-176 Griffin missiles of 10 x GBU-44 Viper Strike bombs.
The Derringer Door and storage rack capable of storing 10 x AGM-176 or GBU-44.
Outside view of the KC-130J with the Derringer Door installed. Note the two slots in the rear paratrooper door where the munitions are deployed through.
GBU-44 being deployed from the Derringer Door.
Mission markings from a Harvest Hawk equipped KC-130J showing Hellfire and Griffin strikes
Videos
USMC missile test of AGM-176 from the Derringer Door system and AGM-114
KC-130J Hellfire + Griffin test fire extended footage
- Yes
- No
- Tech Tree Vehicle
- Event Vehicle
- Squadron Vehicle
- Premium Vehicle
- Ground SP Spawn like drones
- I said no
- 8.0 → 8.7
- 9.0 → 9.7
- 10.0 → 10.7
- 11.0 → 11.7
- 12.0+
- I said no
- 8.0 → 8.7
- 9.0 → 9.7
- 10.0 → 10.7
- 11.0 → 11.7
- 12.0+
- I said no
Sources
NAVAIR - Pressurized launcher boosts KC-130J Harvest HAWK capability
NAVAIR - Harvest HAWK + reaches full operational capability
Key Military - KC-130J completes Harvest HAWK Plus tests
Defense Media Network - Harvest Hawk Gives the KC-130J Bite
Navy Programs - KC-130J Aircraft Datasheet
Key.Aero - Harvest Hawk - US Marine Corps missile carrying KC-130Js
Cherry Point Marines - KC-130J Harvest Hawk: Marine Corps teaches old plane new tricks in Afghanistan
Wikipedia - Lockheed-Martin KC-130
Code One Magazine - KC-130J Harvest Hawk Operations In Afghanistan
The National Interest - Meet the Harvest Hawk: A Refueling Plane Turned Into a Marine War Machine
MDBA - Viper Strike Missile Adds Precision to Harvest HAWK (Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit)
Airforce Technology - KC-130J Multi-Role Tanker
Naval Technology - Lockheed to supply KC-130J Harvest HAWK kits to USMC
Military Embedded Systems - Countermeasures system to equip KC-130J planes
The War Zone - https://www.twz.com/27071/marines-to-finally-add-30mm-cannon-to-bolt-on-harvest-hawk-armament-kits-for-kc-130js
The War Zone - Marine KC-130Js Are Getting A Much More Potent Bolt-On Weapons And Sensor Kit