The KC-130 is a multi-role, multimission tactical tanker and transport aircraft, well-suited to the mission wants of the forward-deployed Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). The Hercules is that the only long-range assault support capability organic to the Marine Corps. This aircraft provides each fixed-wing and rotary-wing tactical in-flight refueling; speedy ground refueling of aircraft or tactical vehicles; assault air transport of air-landed or air-delivered personnel, supplies, and equipment; command-and-control augmentation; pathfinder and battlefield illumination; tactical aeromedical evacuation; and search and rescue support.
The KC-130 supplie with a removable 3,600 gallon (136.26 hectoliter) stainless-steel fuel tank that's carried within the cargo compartment providing extra fuel when needed. the tw wing-mounted hose and drogue refueling pods every transfer up to 300 gallons per minute (1135.5 liters per minute) to two aircraft simultaneously providing fast cycle times of multiple-receiver aircraft formations (a typical tanker formation of four aircraft in less than 30. Some KC-130s also equipped with defensive electronic and infrared countermeasures systems. Development is currently under method for the incorporation of interior/exterior night vision lighting, night vision goggle heads-up displays, global positioning system, and jam-resistant radios.
The KC-130 has 2 drogue equipped refuelling stations, one mounted on every wing outboard of the engines. every refuelling station consists of a Sargent Fletcher 48-000 refuelling pod, 26 m (85 ft) of hose, MA-2 coupling and a 1.2 m (27 in) diameter high speed fixed-wing or 2.4 m (54 in) diameter low speed helicopter paradrogue. Helicopters might not refuel from a high speed drogue. Fuel flows when the hose is pushed in 1.5 m (5 ft); flow continues provided the hose is maintained in the refuelling position, between 6 - 24 m (20 - 80 ft) of hose extension. Hydraulic pressure provides 90th of the force needed to rewind the hose throughout refuelling to reduce hose slack and whip. The hoses are marked every 3 m (10 ft). The MA-2 coupling needs 140 ft lb of pressure to create contact (2 - 5 kt closure) and 420 ft lb to disconnect.
