Lockheed C-130 Hercules Prototypes, Variants & Projects

[spectre]

Beautiful! Thank you AeroFranz

Found this in an old box belonging to a NASA Ames engineer. I apologize for the poor quality. It's a post-QSRA proposal, dated 1982, for a USB C-130. i found a lot of accompanying calculations, and I believe the engines were supposed to be 4 x TF-34. Don't know how far it made it, probably not very much. i doubt Lockheed was ever involved. The picture shows a display model with the USB arrangement on one side and the standard T56 on the other.

 

[elmayerle]

You'd need something rather more powerful than the TF34 for a stol Hercules design like this (perhaps a turbofan based on the T56 gas generator?). Still, I'd love to see one done "full up".

 

[spectre]

You'd need something rather more powerful than the TF34 for a stol Hercules design like this (perhaps a turbofan based on the T56 gas generator?). Still, I'd love to see one done "full up".

Yes, I would personally like something with a little more kick then the standard TF34 but they have gotten the CF34-10 up to @ 20K in max sea level thrust... with it being a high bypass engine, and that blowing the flaps, it would work, but you would lose some of the performance and cut into some of the safety margin at slower speeds (assault landings) that the C-130 has won her name on. The YJ56-A-6 (or YT56-A-6 depending on source) was only used for the boundary layer even though it was a straight jet version of the T56. It would have been interesting to see what Allison would have rated it in thrust.

There was a reason why there was never a non-turboprop version of the C-130…

 

[AeroFranz]

These are very valid points ;D. The NASA engineer must have felt the same way because I went back and checked the rest of the notes; besides the TF34-GE-2 calculations, there was a stash of program runs for climb performance using CFM56-2 rated at 24,000 pounds, as well as an engine map (in tabulated form) for the said engine from CFM international. That makes an interesting comparison with the proposed production YC-15.

In the notes, thrust was assumed to be 20,000 lbs. Thrust to weight was .552. based on QSRA experience, the CL approach was estimated at 5.5. That would have yielded an 821 ft landing field length at a gross weight of 145,000 ponds.

Other than the C-130, there were similar studies involving and E-2 with 4 turbofans and at a later date (1984) an A-3 that was supposed to continue the research where QSRA had left off. It was supposed to cover the high-end of the flight envelope. I attached another picture that came out in AvWeek - I apologize once again for the poor quality, it's the scan of an old xerox copy.

 

[spectre]

In the notes, thrust was assumed to be 20,000 lbs. Thrust to weight was .552. based on QSRA experience, the CL approach was estimated at 5.5. That would have yielded an 821 ft landing field length at a gross weight of 145,000 ponds.

Not just the thrust, we all know that there are many smaller turbofans that would fit and would work on the C-130... but that performance is that on paper. The problem would end up being the spool up time of the engines. You come in too shallow, or too slow and you need to put in more power to make that assault landing, where you are already on a thin line of margin of safety and you will not have enough time for the engines to spool up (or that was the case with the turbofans back in the day) Turboprops are instant torque, instant power. You push the throttles forward and the engines respond instantly.

 

[Stargazer]

Other than the C-130, there were similar studies involving and E-2 with 4 turbofans and at a later date (1984) an A-3 that was supposed to continue the research where QSRA had left off. It was supposed to cover the high-end of the flight envelope. I attached another picture that came out in AvWeek - I apologize once again for the poor quality, it's the scan of an old xerox copy.

Very interesting proposal. I've cleaned up and reworked the picture to make the aircraft clearer. That's probably not 100% accurate, but given the quality of the original, that's all I could do. At least it gives a general idea of the configuration.

 

[AeroFranz]

That's pretty good! I have other photos of the same model, all unfortunately with the same poor quality. However, if someone has the 1984 issue of AvWeek this came from...I will look up the exact date.

 

[AeroFranz]

pic from Avweek, slightly better quality

 

[AeroFranz]

Found some more AvWeek stuff. The captions pretty much sum it up. the first one, while not a variant per se, shows a C-130 doing something unusual, that is, dropping a mine. The second is just an artist's impression.

 

[AeroFranz]

This pic was posted previously. I am adding it because it's decent quality and has the original AvWeek caption, designating it C-130H.

 

[stevoe]

Found this picture on ebay (http://www.ebay.de/itm/Lockheed-ELINT-Rivet-Joint-C-130-Manufacturers-Concept-Desk-Model-Resin-Penwal-/270844434061?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0f96168d). Knows someone more about this project?

Regards
Stephan

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lockheed-ELINT-Rivet-Joint-C-130-Manufacturers-Concept-Desk-Model-Resin-Penwal-/270844434061?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0f96168d#ht_1322wt_1165

 

[Triton]

Great find, Overscan!

Seller's description:

Twenty-plus years ago the U.S. Government approached Lockheed Martin to see if their C-130 Hercules would be a good ELINT (ELectronic INTelligence - Spy) platform. Photo No. 10 illustrates the winning Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint platform currently in use. Lockheed, in-turn, approached the Penwal company and asked them to produce a concept model as per their, and the government's, specifications. Penwal produced the solid resin auction model offered. Concept vehicles, and concept models are extremely hard - if not impossible - things to come by. Concept models of classified military aircraft are practically unheard-of. The model is fairly large with a 15" wingspan and a length of 14 ½". The model is solid and fairly heavy weighing 1 pound 8 ounces. There is some age cracking in the fuselage at the front and back wing root (see photo No. 8). The wood stand is in very good shape, still retaining its felt pads. This was obtained from the estate sale of a former Lockheed employee. We contacted Penwal who told us that this was the only one of these produced. This C-130 (never even assigned a designation by the U.S. government, i.e. RC-130) could easily be the signature item in even the most complete collections.

 

[John21]

Just heard on another site that Lockheed is proceeding with development for two new variants of the C-130. One for export and another for U.S. use later this decade or the next to replace our C-130H's. Here's the link:
http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2011/12/pictures-lockheed-unveils-two.html

I guess if this goes through we will almost certainly have the "old" herky bird see a century plus of service. Fine by me. With budget issues, what's old is new again.

 

[Triton]

Announcement of the Lockheed Martin SC-130J Sea Hercules or "Sea Herc" and C-130XJ at Singapore Air Show 2012.

View: http://youtu.be/f0rDHc2Bzwg

 

[Triton]

Singapore: Lockheed Unveils Plans for 2 C-130 Variants
Feb. 16, 2012 - 02:18PM
By WENDELL MINNICK

Source:

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120216/DEFREG03/302160008/Singapore-Lockheed-Unveils-Plans-2-C-130-Variants

SINGAPORE — Lockheed Martin announced plans at the 2012 Singapore Airshow to create two C-130J variants.

The C-130XJ (Expandable J) and the SC-130J (Sea Herc) will offer customers more capability choices than the current Super Hercules J model, said George Standridge, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’ vice president of business development.

The C-130XJ offers the U.S. domestic and international markets a variant that does not feature all the capabilities inherent in the C-130J, thus providing a significantly lower price. However, the XJ’s capability can expand after delivery in a variety of mission areas, except for the Enhanced Cargo Handling System, Standridge said.

Interest in the C-130XJ will come from the special mission market, which uses roll on/roll off mission packages, and operators that use airlift for low-threat air and land transport of troops and equipment.

The C-130XJ will retain all the provisions necessary to be fully configured for combat missions. It will keep the current propulsion and avionics suite, and no changes will be made to the current C-130J airframe.

The primary airframe focus is on the short-body C-130J, but the C-130XJ package will offer the C-130J-30 stretch version upon request. The C-130XJ will have the same mission capabilities as the C-130J, including search and rescue, firefighting, surveillance and reconnaissance, signals intelligence and close air support.

The SC-130J Sea Herc will offer an affordable replacement for the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) and anti-submarine warfare aircraft (ASW), Standridge said.

“You take the well-proven C-130J and import the P-3 missions into the aircraft for maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare,” he said.

The new variant will provide a wide spectrum of MPA and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission capabilities using roll on/roll off systems. The patrol radius and endurance is on par with the P-3, but it features a new airframe and updated ASW systems. The variant also saves costs by leveraging existing C-130J fleet infrastructure, support system, spares and training, he said.

An artist’s conception provided by Lockheed of the Sea Herc shows it firing a missile from a hardpoint under the wing.

 

[Triton]

Lockheed Martin promotional video for the SC-130J Sea Hercules prepared for the Farnborough International Air Show 2012:

View: http://youtu.be/kjFijMCgh24

 

[Triton]

Artist's impression of Lockheed Martin SC-130J Sea Hercules "Sea Herc".

Source:

Lockheed Martin's Sea Hercules unveiled | StratPost

Lockheed Martin has responded with the Sea Hercules to the Indian Navy's Request for Information (RFI) for Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft, as first reported by StratPost.

www.stratpost.com

 

[Triton]

Artist's impression of Lockheed Martin C-130XJ.

Source:

Lockheed Martin Promotes Lower-Cost “C130XJ”

www.ainonline.com

 

[hole in the ground]

Lockheed Martin promotional video for the SC-130J Sea Hercules prepared for the Farnborough International Air Show 2012:

"replacement for nimrod"


Interesting! Do the RAF have any interest in that?... my money is on not!


edit: and that is not a slight on the aircraft

 

[ouroboros]

The forward sponson bomb bay idea for the SC-130J gave me a "Why didn't I think of that" moment, and strikes me as a potentially easy mod for existing airframes (AC-130?). The early video shot seems to put a big APU on the aft end of the sponson, arguably to power the search radar belly button. Possible back door engineering work to prepare for tactical laser power systems?

 

[Triton]

Lockheed C-130 Stretched Hercules in South Korea markings model manufactured by Wesco found on eBay.

Source:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WESCO-LOCKHEED-C-130-STRETCHED-HERCULES-KOREAN-DISPLAY-DESK-MODEL-NICE-/170919768506?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27cb9cb1ba

Seller's description:

UP FOR AUCTION IS A REALLY NICE EXAMLE OF A LOCKHEED C-130 (L-100-30) STRETCHED HERCULES IN THE MARKINGS OF THE KOREAN AIR FORCE. THE MODEL WAS MADE BY WESCO MODELS INT'L BACK IN THE 70s. THE MODEL IS MADE OF FIBERGLASS AND HAS METAL PROPS. THE MODEL MEASURES " LONG AND A W/S OF 15". IT IS MOUNTED ON A STANDARD WALNUT/ALUMINUM STAND. THE ONLY FLAW IS A SMALL CHIP IN THE PAINT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VERTICAL TAIL. IT REALLY DOES NOT DETRACT FROM THE MODEL. IT COULD BE TOUCHED UP EASILY.

My apologies if this aircraft was built for the Republic of Korea Air Force.

 

[Triton]

Artist's impression of Lockheed Martin SC-130J "Sea Herc".

Artist's impression of Lockheed Martin C-130XJ

Source:

https://flic.kr/p/cNDCjo

View: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lockheedmartin/7747824578/

https://flic.kr/p/cNDC7W

View: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lockheedmartin/7747823914/

 

[Jemiba]

Judging the shown scenario, the way, the Sea Herc is circling those boats and the thing, sticking out from its side,
it looks, as if it is fitted with a gun like the the AC-130 ! ???

 

[Grey Havoc]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/fake-parts-hercules-aircraft-called-genuine-risk-014727597.html

Despite repeated government denials, CBC News has confirmed that some of Canada’s new Hercules military transport planes have counterfeit Chinese parts in their cockpits that could leave pilots with blank instrument panels in mid-flight.

Documents show the Canadian military has known about the bogus electronic chips in the giant Hercules C-130J aircraft since at least July 2012, but continued to hide the fact during a CBC News investigation months later.

The military continues to fly the new Hercs with the fake parts, and says it still has no immediate plans to replace them.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1980S-LOCKHEED-HERCULES-AEW-SPEC-SHEET-/370766672849?pt=UK_Collectables_Aeronautica_MJ&hash=item56536a73d1

 

[TsrJoe]

ooh well spotted Paul

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1986/1986%20-%200300.html

Lockheed and GEC Avionics' joint venture for an airborne early warning variant of the C-130 Hercules is taking shape, with both companies promising to put a firm price on the aircraft very soon. The companies say that they are offering the same standard of AEW aircraft as the Boeing E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (Awacs), but at a price nearer to that of the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye. The estimated cost for the AEW Hercules is between $55 million and $65 million.


The aircraft will incorporate the GEC Avionics APY-920 AEW system, a variant of the mission system avionics (MSA) originally developed for the Royal Air Force Nimrod Mk.3. Additional equipment to the basic C-130 includes forward and aft scanners, a Bendix RDR-1400 weather radar, ESM wing tip antennas, communication antennas, an upgraded cooling system, upgraded generators, a communication equipment pallet, and a dual LTN-73 inertial navigation system. All equipment in the cargo compartment is modularised into three sections. This allows easy removal, giving the AEW Hercules multimission
capability, and also helps to absorb noise.


The forward module contains the radar transmitter and six processing cabinets. Behind that is a control module containing six AEW operators and consoles, along with a crew rest area. A third module, located on the ramp, contains the communication cabin. A service door for the transmitter is added on the starboard side of the fuselage, adjacent to the forward pallet. It is similar to the aft paratroop doors and is located in the same area as the C-130 emergency escape door.

Windtunnel tests indicate that the AEW C-130 has a 2 - 3 per cent drag reduction on the basic Hercules because the fairing between the fuselage and the aft radome straightens the usually turbulent flow around the rear fuselage. The aircraft's stability has been verified.

"The beauty of the C-130 is that you have got a bigger volume and wider crew section—in fact the volume is about 40 per cent up on the Nimrod—so we can get more equipment in," says GEC Avionics. "What we have been able to do is put all the console area in the centre, where there is less vibration, and all the heavy equipment at the front. The modules provide vibration dampening and a cabin-like environment."Both GEC Avionics and Lockheed are pushing the C-130's worldwide presence as a main selling point. "Fiftyseven countries now fly Hercules. We are saying that, as a package, the AEW Hercules deal will cost significantly less because of its commonality. For many customers there will be no need for a new support system," says Lockheed.

Lockheed says that substantial interest is being shown, and the company would most likely go ahead with production as soon as it received one or two firm offers.Lockheed and GEC Avionics are currently ]debating whether or not to build a demonstrator aircraft. Initially they had thought it unnecessary because the Hercules is so well known, and a demonstrator would only add to the overall cost, but a firm decision has yet to be made.

 

[circle-5]

Quote from what, where, when? Enquiring minds want to know®!

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Added source : Flight International, 1986.

 

[circle-5]

Thank you Overscan.

 

[hesham]

Great find my dear Paul,


and here is an artist drawing to it.

 

[circle-5]

Great find, hesham! Any chance of a higher resolution image?

 

[hesham]

Great find, hesham! Any chance of a higher resolution image?

I will try again Circle-5,but my scanner has no more advanced options.

 

[Antonio]

That's from my scanner

 

[hesham]

Perfect my dear Pometablava.

 

[circle-5]

Thank you both! Cleaned it up a bit...

 

[aim9xray]

Either the artist spells his/her name backwards...or is the image flopped?

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Its flipped, but was published that way.

 

[Tzoli]

In the Recent PC and console game Resident Evil: Revelations there was an aircraft, a C-130 Hercules but with full jet engines and not turboprop ones!

So the Questions are:
A.: Were there such projects or prototypes to build/modify exisitng Hercules Transport planes with jet engines
B.: Could this be an efficient or viable upgrade for these crafts?

screenshot of the crashed plane: