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C-130 (Page 2)

Latest in C-130

New pictures offer the best look to date at an Air Force HC-130J Combat King II combat search and rescue aircraft (CSAR) carrying an Angry Kitten electronic warfare pod.
C-130

Angry Kitten Electronic Warfare Pod Spotted Flying On HC-130J Combat Rescue Plane

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 29, 2025

Leidos has raised the possibility of eventually integrating its Black Arrow, also known as the Small Cruise Missile, in the MQ-9 Reaper drone and the OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft. The roughly 200-pound munition has, so far, been tested from C-130 variants but offers the kinds of capabilities that U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is increasingly looking at harnessing.
C-130

Tiny Black Arrow Cruise Missile Demonstrates A Whopping 400-Mile Range

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Sep 24, 2025

The U.S. Air Force is currently looking toward a single next-generation airlifter to supplant both the C-17A Globemaster III and the C-5M Galaxy, starting in the mid-2040s.
C-130

C-17 and C-5 Cargo Planes Will Be Replaced With One Aircraft: USAF

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 23, 2025

Taiwan is testing a new external electronic countermeasures pod, reportedly due to be integrated on its F-CK-1 Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF). The multirole combat aircraft has undergone a comprehensive upgrade in recent years, but until now has not had anything approaching a comprehensive electronic warfare self-protection capability. This requirement is now even more urgent, as the threat from the China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues to grow.
C-130

Electronic Warfare Pod For Taiwan’s F-CK-1 Fighter Is In Testing

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Aug 14, 2025

C-130 from the IAF dropping material via airdrop.
C-130

Could Israeli C-130s Drop GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator Bunker Busters?

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 18, 2025

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has called into question the viability of using the C-130J Hercules cargo aircraft as the basis for a new plane, called the E-130J, to support the U.S. Navy's Take Charge And Move Out (TACAMO) mission.
C-130

Choice Of C-130 For New Navy ‘Doomsday Plane’ Questioned In Watchdog Report

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 12, 2025

The head of the U.S. Navy Reserve says that acquiring new C-130J Hercules aircraft is a top priority, particularly because of the critical organic aerial refueling capacity they could provide in a future Pacific fight.
KC-130

Buying KC-130Js Key To Navy’s Ability To Fight In Pacific: Reserve Boss

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 21, 2025

KC-130T Hercules tanker/transports belonging to the U.S. Navy's Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (VX-30), the “Bloodhounds,” are gaining the ability to link up to the Starlink satellite constellation to help with long-range missile and other test work out in the Pacific.
KC-130

Starlink-Equipped Navy C-130s Offer Communication Boost For Pacific Missile Tests

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 12, 2025

A U.S. Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 31, 2025. Designed for close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance, the AC-130J provides CENTCOM forces an expeditionary, direct-fire platform with 30mm and 105mm cannons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gerald R. Willis)
AC-130

Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile-Armed AC-130J Gunships Could Be On The Horizon

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 8, 2025

A CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron approaches the air-refueling receptacle of an MC-130 Commando II during a night flight at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, Sept. 12, 2024. The Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines a helicopter's vertical takeoff, hover, and vertical landing qualities with the long-range, fuel efficiency, and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gracelyn Hess)
AC-130

Electronic Warfare Lessons From Ukraine Informing Air Force Special Operations Future

By Howard Altman

Updated on May 5, 2025

Aurora Flight Sciences has provided new details about the demonstrator design it is working on for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Liberty Lifter X-plane program.
C-130

Liberty Lifter Ekranoplan Demonstrator Aims To Lift C-130-Sized Payloads

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 29, 2025

The Black Arrow, also known as the Small Cruise Missile, has completed a guided flight test, from an AC-130J Ghostrider gunships, the weapon’s manufacturer Leidos has confirmed. The Black Arrow — which is intended to carry a range of different payloads, and not just a kinetic warhead — arrives at a time when the Pentagon is looking at harnessing the potential of lower-cost weapons that can be readily produced at scale to meet the likely demands of future conflicts.
AC-130

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Launches Black Arrow Small Cruise Missile In New Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 5, 2025

Navy’s Future E-130J TACAMO ‘Doomsday Plane’ Seen In New Rendering
C-130

Navy’s Future E-130J TACAMO ‘Doomsday Plane’ Seen In New Rendering

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

Aurora Flight Sciences has released new renderings of an uncrewed fan-in-wing vertical take-off-and-landing capable demonstrator aircraft it is currently working on, as well as of a revised vision for a scaled-up stealthy cargo aircraft based on the same technology.
C-130

New Vision For Lift Fan Aircraft Family Grows From Special Operations X-Plane Program

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 9, 2024

The U.S. Air Force's top special operations officer says AC-130J Ghostriders will continue being armed with 105mm howitzers for the foreseeable future despite the gunships evolving to as focus shifts to preparing for high-end fights.
AC-130

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunships Will Keep Their 105mm Howitzers, For Now

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 19, 2024

AC-130
AC-130

The Future Of The AC-130 Gunship: Evolve Or Die

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 31, 2024

The US Air Force says an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship has operated from a highway for the first time as part of the service's larger push to reduce its dependence on traditional runways. This is also comes amid questions about the future of the gunships in future high-end fights.
AC-130

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Has Operated From A Highway For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 5, 2024

An US Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider gunship recently used its 30mm and 105mm to help sink a decommissioned amphibious warship during an exercise, which comes amid a larger discussion about the relevance of these aircraft in future higher-end operations.
AC-130

AC-130J Ghostrider Hammers Amphibious Warship During Rare Appearance At Sinking Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 1, 2024

In a rare and impressive gathering, every airframe in the U.S. Coast Guard fleet converged at one location on 14 June 2024.
C-130

Every Coast Guard Aircraft Type Pictured Together In Rare ‘Family Photo’

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

The US Air Force's Air Mobility Command has outlined a critical need to give its fleets new counter-drone defenses they can use wherever they go.
C-130

Built-In Counter-Drone Defenses Sought For Air Force Transports, Tankers

By Eric Tegler, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 29, 2024

Exercise TARTAN SPIRIT has tested, trained and integrated critical capabilities to ensure they are ready for any operational missions. From scenario driven training to Tactical Landing Zones, this Exercise takes personnel from RAF Brize Norton, the RAF’s largest station and home to the UK’s Air Mobility Force, Prestwick Airport is the Deployable Operating Base and West Freugh the Forward Operating base. II Squadron RAF Regiment deployed alongside the Air Mobility Force to further strengthen their tactics, training and techniques alongside various aircraft. These skills are essential for ensuring RAF aircraft can operate safely across the globe. By training together we continue to provide integrated and scaleable Air Force Protection capability whilst preparing all RAF personnel for the rigours of operations, providing them with critical skills to survive, operate and maintain their operational edge.
C-130

Confessions Of A C-130 Hercules Pilot

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 23, 2024

We now have our first look at a mini-cruise missile U.S. Special Operations Command is developing that could arm AC-130J gunships and other aircraft.
AC-130

Our First Look At The Tiny Cruise Missile That Aims To Arm AC-130 Gunships

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 9, 2024

US Special Operations Command says it has 'hit pause' on plans to convert an MC-130J special operations tanker/transport in a floatplane.
MC-130

C-130 Floatplane Program Put ‘On Pause’ By Special Operations Command

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 8, 2024

The future of the Harvest Hawk armament kits for Marine Corps KC-130J tanker/transport aircraft are increasingly uncertain as focus shifts to planning for future high-end conflicts.
KC-130

Marine KC-130Js May Lose Their Missile-Firing Harvest Hawk Kits

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 1, 2024

A US Marine Corps CH-53K recently carried the stripped-down hulk of an F-35C fighter from one base to another and refueled in mid-air along the way.
KC-130

Check Out This Marine CH-53K Carrying An F-35C While Refueling From A KC-130T

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 26, 2024

The first of 22 former Swiss F-5E/F Tiger II jets is now in the United States for the final phase of its conversion into an aggressor for the Navy and Marine Corps.
KC-130

Marine KC-130 Delivers First Of New Batch Of Ex-Swiss F-5s Destined To Be Aggressors

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 5, 2024

The US Air Force no longer plans to flight test a laser directed energy weapon on an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship.
AC-130

AC-130 Gunship’s Laser Weapon Cancelled, 105mm Howitzer May Be Removed

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 19, 2024

USSOCOM is looking for companies that can provide AESA radars for its C-130 fleet.
AC-130

AESA Radars For AC-130J, MC-130J Sought By SOCOM

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 27, 2024

The US military has released an unusual video showing an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship conducting live-fire training the Caribbean. This comes as a major crisis in the region between Guyana and Venezuela.
AC-130

Unusual AC-130J Gunship Caribbean Training Video Released

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 12, 2023

AC-130J attacked a target in iraq after attacks on US bases there.
AC-130

AC-130 Ghostrider Gunship Strikes Iranian-Backed Militia In Iraq

By Howard Altman

Posted on Nov 21, 2023

The schedule for long-planned flight testing of an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship with a laser directed energy weapon has slipped again to 2024.
AC-130

AC-130 Laser Weapon Test Slip Raises Questions About Its Future

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 10, 2023

The US Air Force is deciding whether or not to begin removing the famed 105mm howitzers from its AC-130J gunships, possibly starting in 2026.
AC-130

AC-130J Ghostriders Could Lose Their Big 105mm Guns

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 7, 2023

Jordanian forces used precision airdrop kits to get critical aid to hospital in Gaza.
C-130

Jordanian C-130 Airdropped Supplies To Gaza Hospital

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 6, 2023

Air Force Special Operations Command is looking at expanding its ability to land on beaches around the world as part of a shift toward "runway agnostic" operations.
C-130

Special Ops C-130s Using Beaches As Runways Eyed For Pacific Fight

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 19, 2023

C-130J flypast over Britain
C-130

Britain Bids Farewell to C-130 Hercules With Spectacular Flypast

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jun 15, 2023

AC-130 Gunship AESA
AC-130

AC-130J Ghostrider Could Get Huge Upgrade From AESA Radar

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on May 15, 2023

AC-130 Gunship Laser Weapon Program’s Future Is Looking Blurry
AC-130

AC-130 Gunship Laser Weapon Program’s Future Is Looking Blurry

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 11, 2023

Mojave being delivered via C-130
C-130

Mojave Drone Rapid Deployment From C-130 Shown In New Concept Video

By Oliver Parken, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 10, 2023

MAC MC-130
C-130

Amphibious C-130 Won’t Fly For Two To Three More Years

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on May 9, 2023

Retirement Of MC-130H Speeds Up MC-130J Low-Flying Radar Upgrade
MC-130

Retirement Of MC-130H Speeds Up MC-130J Low-Flying Radar Upgrade

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 11, 2023

C-130J simulator explores one pilot-one loadmaster concept
C-130

Single Pilot C-130J Operations Being Explored By Air Force

By Emma Helfrich

Posted on Mar 10, 2023

AC-130 Ghostrider
AC-130

AC-130J Gunship Unleashes Hell On South Korean Island

By Oliver Parken, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 7, 2023

MAC MC-130
C-130

C-130 Seaplane Program Put On Back Burner (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Feb 2, 2023

Army and Air Force team up to simulate hot pit refueling an M1A2 Abrams tank with a C-130J Super Hercules
C-130

C-130 Simulates Refueling M1 Abrams Tank During Exercise

By Emma Helfrich

Posted on Dec 21, 2022

Special Ops C-130 Tests Pallet-Dropped Cruise Missiles In The Arctic
C-130

Special Ops C-130 Tests Pallet-Dropped Cruise Missiles In The Arctic

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 9, 2022

C-130 Amphibian
C-130

C-130 Seaplane Should Fly In 2023 Says Air Force Special Ops Commander

By Howard Altman

Posted on Sep 21, 2022

AC-130 Gunships Used ‘Big Ass Green Lasers’ During Kabul Evacuation
AC-130

AC-130 Gunships Used ‘Big Ass Green Lasers’ During Kabul Evacuation

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 2, 2022

Our First Look At An AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship’s New 105mm Gun
AC-130

Our First Look At An AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship’s New 105mm Gun

By Oliver Parken, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 31, 2022

This Is Our First Look At The Navy’s Next ‘Doomsday Plane,’ The EC-130J TACAMO
C-130

This Is Our First Look At The Navy’s Next ‘Doomsday Plane,’ The EC-130J TACAMO

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 5, 2022

U.S. Says Its Diplomats Are Out Of Ukraine After U.S. Special Ops Planes Tracked Near Polish Border (Updated)
MC-130

U.S. Says Its Diplomats Are Out Of Ukraine After U.S. Special Ops Planes Tracked Near Polish Border (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 22, 2022

Autonomous Resupply Gliders Made Successful Deliveries On Their First Overseas Deployment
C-130

Autonomous Resupply Gliders Made Successful Deliveries On Their First Overseas Deployment

By Brett Tingley

Posted on Feb 2, 2022

AC-130 Gunships Are Finally Getting A New 105mm Howitzer
AC-130

AC-130 Gunships Are Finally Getting A New 105mm Howitzer

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 20, 2022

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter Can Fit Inside A C-130
C-130

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter Can Fit Inside A C-130

By Brian O'Rourke

Updated on Jan 4, 2022

Watch This C-130 Run For Its Life At Low Level From A Mock Enemy Missile Crew
C-130

Watch This C-130 Run For Its Life At Low Level From A Mock Enemy Missile Crew

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 31, 2021

Behold The Naked Warplanes Of Tinker Air Force Base
KC-130

Behold The Naked Warplanes Of Tinker Air Force Base

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Dec 30, 2021

Special Operations C-130 Hits Target With A ‘Rapid Dragon’ Pallet-Dropped Cruise Missile (Updated)
C-130

Special Operations C-130 Hits Target With A ‘Rapid Dragon’ Pallet-Dropped Cruise Missile (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Dec 17, 2021

C-130 Successfully Snatches Gremlins Drone In Midair
C-130

C-130 Successfully Snatches Gremlins Drone In Midair

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Nov 5, 2021

The AC-130J Gunship’s First Solid State Laser Weapon Has Arrived For Testing
AC-130

The AC-130J Gunship’s First Solid State Laser Weapon Has Arrived For Testing

By Thomas Newdick and Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Oct 8, 2021

Our Best Look Yet At ‘Rapid Dragon’ Cargo Plane-Launched Stealth Cruise Missiles In Action
C-130

Our Best Look Yet At ‘Rapid Dragon’ Cargo Plane-Launched Stealth Cruise Missiles In Action

By Tyler Rogoway and Thomas Newdick

Updated on Sep 21, 2021

C-130s Operate From A Wyoming Highway To Train To Fight Against A Major Adversary
C-130

C-130s Operate From A Wyoming Highway To Train To Fight Against A Major Adversary

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Sep 16, 2021

It Looks Like A C-130 Seaplane Is Finally Happening
C-130

It Looks Like A C-130 Seaplane Is Finally Happening

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 16, 2021

What It’s Like Being A Royal Air Force Photographer Capturing The Action On Deployment
C-130

What It’s Like Being A Royal Air Force Photographer Capturing The Action On Deployment

By Corporal ‘Matty’ Matthews, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 8, 2021

Special Operations Command Wants Tiny Cruise Missiles With Hundreds Of Miles Range
AC-130

Special Operations Command Wants Tiny Cruise Missiles With Hundreds Of Miles Range

By Michael Peck

Updated on Sep 7, 2021

Curious Mission Flown Over The Baltic Sea By U.S. Air Force Nuke Sniffing Plane
C-130

Curious Mission Flown Over The Baltic Sea By U.S. Air Force Nuke Sniffing Plane

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Aug 6, 2021