IATA LOHICAO C130

Lockheed L-182 / 282 / 382 (L-100) Hercules

Lockheed

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Versatile civil freighter derived from the legendary military Hercules.

First flight

1964

Category

Cargo turboprop

Range

6,852 km

Engines

Four Allison (now Rolls-Royce) AE 2100 or T56 turboprops

Status

In service

The Lockheed L-100 Hercules is the commercial transport variant of the famous C-130 military airlifter, produced by Lockheed (later Lockheed Martin) in Marietta, Georgia. Developed in the 1960s, it shares the same basic airframe and four-turboprop configuration as the military version but is certified for civil cargo operations under FAA standards. The L-100 has been operated primarily as a freighter, serving airlines, charter operators, and humanitarian organizations in roles ranging from oil-field support to disaster relief. Several stretched variants were produced, including the L-100-20 and L-100-30, the latter featuring a fuselage stretched by approximately 4.57 metres compared to the baseline model. Though not widely used by major passenger carriers, the L-100 filled a unique niche for cargo operations into short, unpaved, or remote airstrips where conventional jet freighters cannot operate. Production of the civil variant has largely ceased, though aircraft remain in service with various operators worldwide.

Notable operators

Notable civil operators have included Safair, Southern Air Transport, Lynden Air Cargo, and various government and humanitarian organizations.

Notable facts

›The L-100 is the civil-certified version of the iconic C-130 Hercules military airlifter.
›The L-100-30 stretched variant added approximately 4.57 metres to the fuselage for increased cargo capacity.
›It is capable of operating from unpaved, short, or remote airstrips unsuitable for jet freighters.
›First civil variant flight occurred in 1964, with FAA certification granted the same year.
›The aircraft has been widely used for humanitarian airlift, oil-field support, and heavy cargo missions.