The State Department has approved the provision of two C-130 Hercules ransport aircraft to Greece from the US military surplus.
Compared to those currently serving in Greece, these are clearly of a much younger generation of shuttles.
The C-130 Hercules is a multi-role transport aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin. It is highly versatile and is used by the US military and many other countries. It was first introduced in 1956 and remained in service to this day, with many versions and upgrades carried out during its lifetime.
The C-130 is a four-engine aircraft manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin. The first C-130 flew in 1954 and has served in numerous military missions, humanitarian relief and rescue operations.
Some features of the C-130 Hercules :
- Multiple Roles: The C-130 can perform various missions, including passenger and cargo transport, airlift, reconnaissance operations, airstrike, rescue missions, and firefighting.
- Versatility: The C-130 is known for its ability to operate in extreme conditions and remote locations. It can land on small-sized airports, even dirt roads, and cope with challenging weather conditions.
- Engines: It has four Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engines, which provide power and reliability, making the C-130 capable of landing and taking off from relatively short and demanding runways.
- Dimensions: The C-130 is approximately 29.8 meters long, 40.4 meters wide and 11.7 meters high. Its size allows it to carry a large load and land on relatively short runways.
- Cargo capacity: The C-130 can carry about 19 tons of cargo, 92 soldiers, 64 paratroopers, or 74 survivor carriers.
- Range and speed: The maximum speed of the C-130 is about 670 km/h (415 mph), with a total capacity of about 4,000 km (2,500 mi) without refuelling.
The C-130 is operational throughout the US Air Force, serving with Air Mobility Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, US Air Forces Europe, Pacific Air Forces, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command, fulfilling a wide range of operational missions in both peace and war situations.
Basic and specialised versions of the aircraft perform a variety of roles, including airlift support, aeromedical missions, weather reconnaissance, aerial spraying missions, firefighting for the US Forest Service, and natural disaster relief mission.
Source : Greeek City Times