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The HC-130P/N "King" is a specialized version of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft that is used by the United States Air Force (USAF) for personnel recovery operations. It is the only dedicated fixed-wing personnel recovery platform in the USAF inventory. The HC-130P/N is equipped with a variety of modifications, including improved navigation, threat detection, and countermeasures systems, making it ideal for operating in austere airfields and denied territory.
The mission of the HC-130P/N "King" is to rapidly deploy to austere airfields and denied territory in order to execute all-weather personnel recovery operations anytime, anywhere. King crews routinely perform high and low altitude personnel and equipment airdrops, infiltration/exfiltration of personnel, helicopter air-to-air refueling, and forward area refueling point missions. The aircraft is also capable of conducting humanitarian assistance operations, disaster response, security cooperation/aviation advisory, emergency aeromedical evacuation, casualty evacuation, non-combatant evacuation operations, and, during the Space Shuttle program, space flight support for NASA.
The HC-130P/N has a variety of features that make it well-suited for its mission. It is equipped with a fully-integrated inertial navigation and global positioning systems, and night vision goggle (NVG) compatible interior and exterior lighting. It also has forward-looking infrared, radar and missile warning receivers, chaff and flare dispensers, satellite and data-burst communications. The aircraft is capable of flying during the day, but crews normally fly at night at low to medium altitude levels in contested or sensitive environments, both over land or over water. To enhance the probability of mission success and survivability near populated areas, crews employ tactics that include incorporating no external lighting or communications, and avoiding radar and weapons detection.
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