Gallery: C-130J Variants

The 400th J model to be delivered, in February 2018, was in Special Operations configuration and designated MC-130J. This aircraft was subsequently converted to the gunship role.
 

The first AC-130 gunship was fielded in 1967. The current, sixth, variant - based on the MC-130J and designated AC-130J Ghostrider - has been operated by the 73rd Special Operations Squadron since 2018. This image shows the first AC-130J preparing for its first official sortie at Eglin AFB, Fla., Jan 31, 2014.

The HC-130 was developed as a combat search-and-rescue variant and was produced in B, E and H models as well as P, N and J Combat King variants. The HC-130H and J - of which the latter is pictured - are long-range surveillance and SAR variants operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Tanker variants are designated with a K. This KC-130J is pictured April 6, 2020, during wake testing with a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion over Chesapeake Bay.

The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, based at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Ms., flies WC-130Js. These aircraft carry a variety of equipment specific to the mission, which involves flying into the eye of hurricanes, tropical cyclones and winter storms to collect data used to improve forecasting.

The EC-130J Commando Solo III is a PSYOPS (psychological operations) and civil affairs broadcast platform, capable of broadcasting in various radio and television bands. It is operated by the Air National Guard's 193rd Special Operations Wing, based at Harrisburg, Pa.. In this image, taken in 2020, the aircraft is lining up to refuel from a KC-135.

The first flight of the C-130J took place on April 5, 1996, though the development timetable slipped and the first aircraft was not delivered to the RAF until 1999.

As part of the development of the C-130J, Lockheed achieved a civilian certification for the platform with the U.S. regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration. The commercial version, designated LM-100J first flew on May 25, 2017, an in 2020 set a record as the heaviest aircraft to perform an aerobatic loop.

Captain Tadhg Collins of the 36th Airlift Squadron flying a C-130J June 15, 2024, during the multinational exercise Valiant Shield, which took place at Misawa Air Base, Japan.