C-17 vs C-130: Cargo aircraft play a vital role in military operations as they are essential for the transportation of troops, equipment, and supplies. They allow for the rapid movement of personnel and resources to where they are needed most, enabling military operations to be conducted more efficiently and effectively.
C-130 Hercules
The C-130 Hercules is a military transport aircraft that has been in service since the 1950s. It was developed by Lockheed Martin and first flew on August 23, 1954. The C-130 was designed to meet the need for a versatile and rugged military transport aircraft that could operate from unprepared runways and in a variety of environments.
The first C-130 entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1956 and quickly became a mainstay of military airlift operations. It has been used in a variety of roles, including airlifting troops and cargo, aerial refuelling, search and rescue, and weather reconnaissance.
Throughout the Cold War, the C-130 was used extensively in Southeast Asia, including during the Vietnam War. It also played a key role in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and has been used in various other conflicts and peacekeeping operations since then.
Over the years, several different versions of the C-130 have been developed, with improvements made to the aircraft’s performance, range, and payload capabilities. Today, the C-130 is in service with more than 60 countries around the world, and it remains a valuable asset for military airlift operations.
The C-130J Super Hercules, the latest and most advanced version of the C-130, is currently in production and has been in service with the United States Air force and many other countries.
C-17 Globemaster
The C-17 Globemaster III is a military transport aircraft that was developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing). The aircraft first flew on September 15, 1991, and it entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 1995.
The C-17 was developed to meet the need for a large, long-range transport aircraft that could operate from unprepared runways and in a variety of environments. It was designed to be able to carry heavy cargo, vehicles, and troops over long distances and to land on short, austere runways.
The C-17 quickly became a key asset for the U.S. Air Force, and it has been used in a variety of roles, including airlifting troops and equipment, humanitarian aid, and aeromedical evacuations. It has also been used for airdrop operations and has been equipped with an aerial refueling capability.
The C-17 has been used in a number of conflicts, including Operation Allied Force in 1999 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
Over the years, the C-17 has been used by the U.S. Air Force, as well as several other countries such as UK, Canada, India, Qatar, UAE and Australia. The C-17 production ended in 2015, but the aircraft is still in active service and expected to remain in service for many more years to come.
The C-17’s large cargo capacity, long range, and ability to operate from short runways make it an important asset for military airlift operations and humanitarian aid missions around the world.
C17 vs C130 Comparison
| Data | C-17 Globemaster | C-130J Hercules |
| Origin: | United States | United States |
| Year: | 1995 | 1956 |
| Crew: | 3 | 5 |
| Production: | 279 units | 2,300 units |
1. Size
The C-17 Globemaster III and the C-130 Hercules are both military transport aircraft, but they are different in size. The C-17 is larger than the C-130.
The C-17 has a wingspan of 170 feet (52 meters), a length of 174 feet (53 meters), and a height of 55 feet (17 meters).
The C-130, on the other hand, has a wingspan of 132 feet (40 meters), a length of 97 feet (29.6 meters), and a height of 38 feet (11.6 meters).
As you can see, the C-17 is significantly larger than the C-130 in terms of wingspan, length, height. However, the C-130 is known for its versatility and ability to operate in austere environments and short runway.
| Dimensions | C-17 Globemaster III | C-130J Hercules |
| Length: | 53 m (174 ft) | 29.79 m (97.9 ft ) |
| Wingspan: | 51.755 m (169.9 ft) | 40.41 m (132 ft) |
| Wing area: | 350 m2 (3,800 sq ft) | 162.1 m2 (1,745 sq ft) |
| Height: | 16.79 m (55 ft) | 11.84 m (38 ft) |
| Weight: | 128,140 kg (282,500 lb) | 34,274 kg (75,562 lb) |
2. Crew Members
Typically, a standard C-17 Globemaster III has a crew of three, including a pilot, co-pilot, and a loadmaster. On some missions, additional crew members such as a flight engineer or navigator may be added.
On the other hand, a standard C-130 Hercules has a crew of three to five, including a pilot, co-pilot and loadmaster. A navigator and/or flight engineer may also be present.
It’s worth mentioning that, the crew size can be adjusted based on the specific mission and aircraft configuration. Some C-130 versions are operated by a crew of two.
In general, The C-17 requires a larger crew than the C-130 due to its larger size and more complex systems. The C-17 is also operated by more crew members for safety reasons, as it is capable of carrying larger payloads and flying longer distances.
3. Engines
The C-17 is powered by four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines. Each engine is rated at 40,440 pounds of thrust, which gives the C-17 a maximum thrust of 161,760 pounds. These engines are equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) systems and provide the C-17 with the power and fuel efficiency needed for its long-range, heavy-lift capabilities.
The C-130, on the other hand, is powered by four Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engines. Each engine is rated at 4,591 horsepower, which gives the C-130 a total power of 18,364 horsepower. These engines are equipped with variable-pitch propellers that provide the C-130 with the power and versatility needed for its short-field, STOL capabilities.
While the C-17 and C-130 are both military transport aircraft, they have different mission requirements and therefore have different engine configurations. The C-17’s turbofan engines provide it with the power and fuel efficiency needed for its long-range, heavy-lift capabilities, while the C-130’s turboprop engines provide it with the power and versatility needed for its short-field, STOL capabilities.
It’s worth mentioning that, C-130 also have a different version called C-130J which is powered by 4 Rolls Royce AE2100D3 Turboprop engines and it’s considered to be more advanced version of the classic C-130.
4. Payload
The C-17 has a maximum payload capacity of 170,900 pounds (77,519 kg) and can carry a wide variety of cargo, including armored vehicles, heavy equipment, and palletized cargo. It is also capable of carrying outsized and oversize cargo, such as M1 Abrams tanks and helicopters, and can be configured to carry up to 102 troops or 84 litter (stretchers) for aeromedical evacuation.
The C-130, on the other hand, has a maximum payload capacity of 42,000 pounds (19,050 kg) and can carry a variety of cargo, including vehicles, equipment, and palletized cargo. It is also capable of carrying outsized and oversize cargo, such as boats, and heavy equipment, and can be configured to carry up to 92 troops or 64 paratroopers.
| Specs | C-17 Globemaster III | C-130J Hercules |
| Max speed: | 833 kph (518 mph) | 600 kph (373 mph) |
| Range: | 9,432 km (5,861 mi) | 3,600 km (2,237 mi) |
| Ceiling: | 13,716 m (45,000 ft) | 10,000 m (33,000 ft) |
| Cargo bay length: | 27 m (88 ft) | 12.50 m (41 ft) |
| Capacity: | 32,159 kg (170,900 lb) | 19,050 kg (42,000 lb ) |
| Cargo bay width: | 5.5 m (18 ft) | 3.05 m (10 ft) |
| Cargo bay height: | 3.76 m (12 ft) | 2.74 m (9 ft) |
5. Missions
The C-17 is primarily used for long-range, heavy-lift operations. Some of the key missions it is used for include:
- Strategic airlift: The C-17 can fly long distances and carry large payloads, making it ideal for deploying troops, equipment, and supplies to locations around the world.
- Humanitarian aid: The C-17 can carry large amounts of aid and supplies to disaster-stricken areas, making it a valuable asset in the aftermath of natural disasters.
- Aeromedical evacuation: The C-17 can be configured to carry up to 102 troops or 84 litters (stretchers) for aeromedical evacuation, making it a valuable asset in the evacuation of injured or sick personnel.
- Paradrop: The C-17 can also be used for paradrop operations, airdropping supplies, equipment and personnel
The C-130, on the other hand, is primarily used for short-field, STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) operations and versatility. Some of the key missions it is used for include:
- Tactical airlift: The C-130 is known for its ability to operate in austere environments and short runways, making it ideal for deploying troops, equipment, and supplies to forward-operating bases and other remote locations.
- Aerial refueling: Some variants of the C-130 can be configured for aerial refueling, allowing it to refuel other aircraft in flight.
- Search and rescue: C-130 can be used for search and rescue operations, as well as medical evacuation.
- Special operations: C-130 can be used for special operations as it can land in short runways and can be operated in austere environments.
6. Countries
The C-17 Globemaster III is operated by United States, United Kingdom, Canada, India, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait.
The C-130 Hercules is operated by United States, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, India, Italy, Spain, Greece.
Many other countries around the world also operate the C-17 and C-130, including countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.
In conclusion, the C-17 Globemaster III and the C-130 Hercules are both military transport aircraft that are widely used by many countries around the world. The C-17 is primarily used for long-range, heavy-lift operations, such as strategic airlift, humanitarian aid, aeromedical evacuation, paradrop and many more, while the C-130 is primarily used for short-field, STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) operations and versatility, such as tactical airlift, aerial refueling, search and rescue, special operations and many more. Both aircrafts are known for their versatility, reliability and long service life, and are an important asset for many air forces around the world.