Aircraft & UAVs

KC-130J Hercules

The KC-130J Hercules is the U.S. Marine Corps' multi-mission C-130J tanker-transport variant built by Lockheed Martin. In Harvest HAWK configuration, Marine sources document the aircraft firing AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and AGM-176 Griffin missiles during close-air-support training and providing an overwatch role alongside refueling and cargo transport.

KC-130J Hercules, Marine transport aircraft configured with Harvest HAWK weapon kit, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: Wikimedia Commons Harvest Hawk KC-130J with Hellfire

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Lockheed Martin
Type: Marine transport aircraft configured with Harvest HAWK weapon kit
Service note: 2004-present
Variants: Harvest HAWK / Harvest Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit
Developed from: Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules

aircraft transportrefuelingclose air support precision fires surveillance

Specifications

Primary function: Tactical air-to-air refueling, assault support and cargo airlift
Crew: 3
Date deployed: 2004
Max gross take-off: 175,000 pounds (79,380 kilograms)
Airspeed: 320 knots (593 kilometers per hour)
Range: 3,548 nautical miles (6,570.90 kilometers)
Harvest HAWK kit: Roll-on/roll-off weapons kit with AN/AAQ-30 targeting sight sensor, four AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and 10 AGM-176 Griffin missiles

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: In Marine Corps service since 2004; Harvest HAWK / Harvest Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit aircraft have been documented in Afghanistan and at Miramar training events.
Used by: United States Marine Corps

Carried Munitions

Marine Corps sources show the KC-130J Hercules carrying AGM-114 Hellfire missiles when fitted with the Harvest HAWK / Harvest Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit.

Carried item

Item type

Carriage evidence

AGM-114 Hellfire missile family

Air-to-surface missile

Marine photos and video document VMGR-252 firing AGM-114 Hellfire missiles from KC-130J Hercules aircraft configured with Harvest HAWK.

Sources: KC-130J Harvest HAWK, KC-130J Harvest Hawk article

KC-130J Hercules Images

KC-130J Hercules, Marine transport aircraft configured with Harvest HAWK weapon kit, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1 — Source: Wikimedia Commons Harvest Hawk KC-130J with Hellfire

KC-130J Hercules, Marine transport aircraft configured with Harvest HAWK weapon kit, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2 — Source: Wikimedia Commons KC-130J Harvest Hawk side

KC-130J Hercules, Marine transport aircraft configured with Harvest HAWK weapon kit, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3 — Source: Wikimedia Commons Griffin launcher KC-130J

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Sources

NAVAIR KC-130J Super Hercules Fact SheetPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports the KC-130J mission, specifications, deployment date, and prime contractor background for the Marine Corps tanker-transport variant. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 KC-130J Harvest HAWKPublisher: U.S. Marine Corps | Note: Supports the KC-130J Hercules Harvest HAWK configuration, close-air-support training, and firing of AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-176 Griffin missiles. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 KC-130J Harvest Hawk articlePublisher: U.S. Marine Corps | Note: Supports the Harvest Hawk kit description, the KC-130J's close-air-support role, and the aircraft's loadout of AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-176 Griffin missiles. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Wikimedia Commons Harvest Hawk KC-130J with HellfirePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary KC-130J Harvest Hawk photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Wikimedia Commons KC-130J Harvest Hawk sidePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the side-view KC-130J Harvest Hawk photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Wikimedia Commons Griffin launcher KC-130JPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the KC-130J Griffin launcher photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-23