Lockheed MC-130

Lockheed MC-130
Pays	Usa
Rôle	Avions de transport militaire d’opérations spéciales
Premier vol	Avril 2011
Construit	100+

Lla Lockheed MC-130 est la désignation de base d’une famille d’avions de mission spéciale exploités par l’United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), une escadre de l’Air Education and Training Command et une aile du Air Force Reserve Command acquise par l’AFSOC. Basé sur le transport Lockheed C-130 Hercules, le MC-130s’ les missions sont l’infiltration, l’exfiltration et le réapprovisionnement des forces d’opérations spéciales, et le ravitaillement en vol d’hélicoptères d’opérations spéciales et d’avions à rotor basculant.

Source: Lockheed MC-130 sur Wikipedia

Lockheed MC-130P Combat Shadow Se promener
Photographe	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	Salon aérien de la capitale
Photos	146

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Hercules C-130
Photographe	Inconnu
Localisation	Inconnu
Photos	46

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Lla « Shadow » in the Night

Lla Lockheed MC-130P Combat Shadow was a specialized variant of the C-130 Hercules, operated by the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Its primary mission was the clandestine air-to-air refueling of special operations helicopters, such as the MH-53 Pave Low and MH-60 Pave Hawk. Operating primarily at night and at low altitudes, the Combat Shadow provided the « long legs » necessary for deep-penetration rescue and infiltration missions behind enemy lines.

Attribute	Technical Specification (MC-130P)
Rôle	Special Operations Air Refueling / Infiltration
Crew	7 (2 Pilots, Navigator, Flight Engineer, Radio Operator, 2 Loadmasters)
Groupe motopropulseur	4 × Allison T56-A-15 turboprops
Horsepower	4,591 shp (3,425 kW) per engine
Vitesse maximale	289 knots (333 mph / 535 km/h)
Refueling Speed	105 to 120 knots (Critical for helicopters)
Service Ceiling	33,000 feet (10,000 m)
Electronic Warfare	ALR-69 Radar Warning, ALE-40 Chaff/Flare dispensers

Critical Engineering and Mission Systems

Low-Speed Aerodynamics: To refuel helicopters safely, the MC-130P had to fly at exceptionally low speeds, often near its stall limit. This required precise throttle management and specialized training for the flight crew.
Dual Drogue Refueling: The aircraft was equipped with two underwing refueling pods (usually the Sargent-Fletcher system). These pods extended hoses with « drogue » baskets that helicopter probes would plug into.
Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Compatible: Every light on the aircraft—inside and out—was modified to be compatible with NVGs. This allowed the « Shadow » to fly « blacked out » during covert operations, remaining invisible to the naked eye while providing a beacon for friendly forces.
Advanced Navigation: Unlike standard C-130s, the MC-130P featured highly accurate self-contained navigation systems, including GPS and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), to find isolated landing zones or refueling points in total darkness.

Operational Legacy

From HC-130P to MC-130P: Originally designated as the HC-130P for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), the aircraft were transferred to AFSOC and re-designated MC-130P in 1996 to reflect their broader special operations role.
Combat Proven: The Combat Shadow saw action in nearly every major U.S. conflict since Vietnam, including Operation Just Cause (Panama), Tempête du désert, and the early years of the Global War on Terror.
Rescue at Sea: Beyond combat, the MC-130P was frequently used to drop pararescue (PJ) teams and survival equipment to distressed vessels in the middle of the ocean.
Retirement: The MC-130P was officially retired in 2015, replaced by the more powerful and technologically advanced MC-130J Commando II.