As of 2024, the KC-130 has seven models with a total of 180 aircraft produced. Aside from the KC-130s owned and operated by the U.S.
Marine Corps, 18 different countries also own and operate the tanker. The original C-130A entered service in 1956; 231 were built. Within two years, the plane's popularity led Lockheed to roll out the C-130B; 230 were built.
In 1960, the Navy, on behalf of the Marine Corps, issued a contract to develop a C-130 tanker variant and then converted six of them to the KC-130B. Check out Simple Flying's additional content about aerial refueling Lockheed delivered the "B" models to the Marine Corps in 1960. Several years later these "B" models were sold to Singapore (4), and Indonesia (1), and the sixth aircraft was retired.
As soon as the Marine Corps received its first KC-130B, they knew immediately that the tanker was just what was needed. To that end, Lockheed received a new contract to build 46 KC-130Fs. The "F" model incorporated changes that were identified from the six "B" models.
The KC-130F's multirole capability includes: Aerial refueling; Assault air transport of cargo & passengers; Aerial delivery of paratroopers & cargo; Aviation-delivered ground refueling; Battlefield illumination; Airborne radio relay, and; Tactical aero-medical evacuation. Below is a KC-130F landing at Dong Ha FOB, So. Vietnam in July 1967.
With the Marine Corps' limited financial resources, the KC-130's ability to accomplish numerous tactical actions is vital. The 18 c.
