Aircraft & UAVs

KC-130J Hercules

Also known as
  • KC-130J Tanker
  • KC-130J Super Hercules
  • Harvest HAWK
  • Harvest Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit

The KC-130J Hercules is the U.S. Marine Corps' Lockheed Martin-built C-130J tanker-transport variant for tactical refueling, assault support, airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and related battlefield support. Its former Harvest HAWK mission kit turned selected aircraft into armed overwatch platforms with sensors and AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-176 Griffin missiles, a configuration documented in Afghanistan combat use and later retired as Marine Corps requirements shifted.

KC-130J Hercules, Marine Corps tanker-transport aircraft with former Harvest HAWK armed mission kit, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: Wikimedia Commons Harvest Hawk KC-130J with Hellfire

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Marine Corps tanker-transport aircraft with former Harvest HAWK armed mission kit
Service note
2004-present
Developed from
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules

Specifications

Primary function
Tactical refueling and assault support
Crew
Pilot, co-pilot and crewmaster
Date deployed
2004
Propulsion
Four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprops
Max gross take-off
164,000 pounds (74,389 kilograms)
Airspeed
320 knots (593 kilometers per hour)
Range
3,548 nautical miles (6,570.90 kilometers)
Troop capacity
92 ground troops or 64 paratroops
Harvest HAWK kit
Target Sight Sensor with AGM-114P Hellfire missiles and AGM-176 Griffin air-to-ground missiles
Variants

The public KC-130J page covers the Marine Corps tanker-transport aircraft and the former Harvest HAWK mission-kit configurations fitted to selected KC-130Js.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Harvest HAWK mission kitArmed ISR and close-air-support kit

DOT&E described Harvest HAWK as an armed KC-130J variant developed from an urgent need for persistent direct fire and ISR support, with a Target Sight Sensor, AGM-114P Hellfire missiles, and AGM-176 Griffin missiles.

Sources: DOT&E FY2010 KC-130J Report

Harvest HAWK Plus / HH+Later roll-on/roll-off armed kit

TWZ reported that the later HH+ configuration retained Hellfire and Griffin missile employment through wing pylons and Common Launch Tube arrangements before the Marine Corps divested the capability.

Sources: TWZ Harvest HAWK Retirement

Carried Munitions

Harvest HAWK turned selected KC-130Js into armed overwatch aircraft by adding precision-guided missiles while retaining the Hercules tanker-transport baseline.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
AGM-114 Hellfire missile family, Air-to-surface missile family, MunitionsAGM-114 Hellfire missile familyAir-to-surface missile

DOT&E and Marine Corps video sources document Harvest HAWK integration and firing of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles from KC-130J aircraft.

Sources: DOT&E FY2010 KC-130J Report, DVIDS Raining Hellfire KC-130J Harvest HAWK

AGM-176 Griffin missile, Lightweight air- and surface-launched precision-guided missile, MunitionsAGM-176 Griffin missileLight precision-guided missile

DOT&E identified Griffin as a KC-130J Harvest HAWK standoff precision-guided munition, and 2022 Marine video documented VMGR-252 firing AGM-176 Griffin missiles during Harvest HAWK training.

Sources: DOT&E FY2010 KC-130J Report, DVIDS Raining Hellfire KC-130J Harvest HAWK

Mission Roles And Harvest HAWK Context

The KC-130J record combines a standard Marine Corps tanker-transport aircraft with the former Harvest HAWK armed mission kit. The distinction matters because most conflict use is logistics, refueling, or recovery support, while Harvest HAWK adds a narrower close-air-support and surveillance role.

RoleDocumented configurationOperational context
Tanker and assault supportBaseline KC-130J with tactical refueling, transport, aerial delivery, and aeromedical evacuation missions.NAVAIR identifies the KC-130J as a multi-mission Marine Corps support aircraft for fleet operating forces.
Harvest HAWK overwatchRoll-on/roll-off fire-control console, Target Sight Sensor, Hellfire missiles, and Griffin missiles.Afghanistan sources document close air support, surveillance, refueling, and ground-force overwatch from Harvest HAWK aircraft.
Recovery and refueling supportKC-130J tanker support to TRAP and crisis-response aircraft.Operation Inherent Resolve and Libya sources document KC-130Js supporting recovery packages and coalition aircraft refueling.
Capability statusHarvest HAWK / HH+ mission kit divested after limited recent operational use.TWZ reported a Marine Corps statement that the service decided at the end of 2024 to divest the capability.
Timeline

KC-130J Hercules Key Events

  1. KC-130J enters Marine Corps service

    NAVAIR lists 2004 as the deployed date for the Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules tanker-transport.

    Sources: NAVAIR KC-130J Super Hercules Fact Sheet

  2. Harvest HAWK role documented in Afghanistan

    DVIDS described VMGR-352's Harvest HAWK KC-130J in Afghanistan carrying Hellfire and Griffin missiles for close air support, surveillance, and IED search missions.

    Sources: DVIDS KC-130J Harvest HAWK Afghanistan Role

  3. Hellfire load expended over Regional Command Southwest

    Marine reporting described a Harvest HAWK KC-130J staying airborne about ten hours and expending its Hellfire complement while providing close air support to Marine units in Afghanistan.

    Sources: Marine Corps Harvest HAWK Afghanistan Article

  4. KC-130J supports Libya recovery mission

    A Marine KC-130J joined the Operation Odyssey Dawn tactical recovery package to provide aerial refueling after an F-15E crash in Libya.

    Sources: DVIDS Libya KC-130J Refueling

  5. Operation Inherent Resolve support role detailed

    DVIDS reported Marine KC-130Js supporting Operation Inherent Resolve through transport, resupply, coalition refueling, and TRAP readiness.

    Sources: DVIDS KC-130J Operation Inherent Resolve

  6. VMGR-252 fires Hellfire and Griffin missiles in training

    DVIDS video documented VMGR-252 firing AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-176 Griffin missiles from a KC-130J during Harvest HAWK close-air-support training near MCAS Miramar.

    Sources: DVIDS Raining Hellfire KC-130J Harvest HAWK

  7. Marine Corps decides to divest Harvest HAWK

    TWZ reported a Marine Corps statement that the service determined at the end of 2024 that divesting Harvest HAWK was in its best interest because of limited use and sustainment cost.

    Sources: TWZ Harvest HAWK Retirement

Media

KC-130J Hercules Images

KC-130J Hercules, Marine Corps tanker-transport aircraft with former Harvest HAWK armed mission kit, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: Wikimedia Commons KC-130J Harvest Hawk side
KC-130J Hercules, Marine Corps tanker-transport aircraft with former Harvest HAWK armed mission kit, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: Wikimedia Commons Griffin launcher KC-130J
Related Weapon Systems
C-130 Hercules, Tactical airlift transport aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsC-130 HerculesTactical airlift transport aircraftThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a U.S. tactical airlift family built by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for rough-strip operations, oversized cargo, airdrop, and theater logistics. Direct sources document Hercules transport use from Vietnam and Desert Storm through Afghanistan, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Mosul campaign, while the broader family includes gunship, tanker, rescue, special-operations, and electronic-warfare derivatives.
HC-130J Combat King II, Fixed-wing personnel recovery and helicopter air-to-air refueling aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsHC-130J Combat King IIFixed-wing personnel recovery and helicopter air-to-air refueling aircraftThe HC-130J Combat King II is Lockheed Martin's C-130J-derived U.S. Air Force rescue and helicopter-refueling aircraft. Developed under the HC/MC-130 recapitalization program, it replaced the HC-130P/N King as the service's only dedicated fixed-wing personnel recovery platform, with night-vision-compatible systems, defensive aids, forward-looking infrared, radar and missile-warning receivers, UARRSI aerial-refueling reception, and mission communications for combat search-and-rescue, disaster response, emergency aeromedical evacuation, airdrop, airland, and forward-area refueling work.
AC-130 gunship, Heavily armed fixed-wing gunship, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsAC-130 gunshipHeavily armed fixed-wing gunshipThe AC-130 gunship is a side-firing C-130 derivative built for persistent close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, and special-operations overwatch. Modern AC-130U, AC-130W, and AC-130J aircraft pair trainable cannon armament with electro-optical/infrared sensors, fire-control systems, communications suites, and standoff precision munitions so crews can support ground forces from extended loiter or overwatch positions.
Boeing 707 Re'em, Aerial refueling tanker and transport aircraft, Support EquipmentSupport EquipmentBoeing 707 Re'emAerial refueling tanker and transport aircraftThe Boeing 707 Re'em is Israel's locally converted Boeing 707 tanker and transport aircraft, operated by the Israeli Air Force's 120th Squadron for aerial refueling, long-range support, and communications roles. Built from civil 707 airframes and modified by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Re'em enabled Israeli long-range air operations in the 2023 Red Sea Crisis and the 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict, including documented Yemen strike support and hundreds of refueling connections during Operation Rising Lion.
EC-130J Commando Solo, Airborne information operations and psychological operations aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsEC-130J Commando SoloAirborne information operations and psychological operations aircraftThe EC-130J Commando Solo is a Lockheed Martin C-130J-derived U.S. Air Force special-mission aircraft that broadcasts information operations and psychological operations messages across AM, FM, HF, TV, and military communications bands. The 193rd Special Operations Wing operates the aircraft, which adds enhanced navigation, self-protection, air refueling, digital message playback, and live-broadcast capability to the Hercules airframe.

Sources

NAVAIR KC-130J Super Hercules Fact SheetPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports the KC-130J mission set, specifications, 2004 deployed date, transport capacity, and prime contractor background. | Accessed: 2026-07-01DOT&E FY2010 KC-130J ReportPublisher: Director, Operational Test and Evaluation | Note: Supports Harvest HAWK development background, ISR/direct-fire purpose, Target Sight Sensor, Hellfire and Griffin integration, test firing, and mission-kit specification context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01DVIDS KC-130J Harvest HAWK Afghanistan RolePublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Direct 2001 War in Afghanistan source: documents VMGR-352 Harvest HAWK KC-130J operations in Afghanistan with Hellfire and Griffin missiles for close air support, ISR, IED search, and ground support. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Marine Corps Harvest HAWK Afghanistan ArticlePublisher: U.S. Marine Corps | Note: Direct 2001 War in Afghanistan source: documents Harvest HAWK KC-130J close-air-support use, refueling of coalition aircraft in Afghanistan, and a March 14 mission expending Hellfire missiles in Regional Command Southwest. | Accessed: 2026-07-01DVIDS KC-130J Operation Inherent ResolvePublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: Direct 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve source: documents Marine KC-130J aircraft used every day for transport, resupply, aircraft refueling, and TRAP support during Operation Inherent Resolve. | Accessed: 2026-07-01DVIDS Libya KC-130J RefuelingPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Direct 2011 First Libyan Civil War source: documents a Marine Corps KC-130J providing aerial refueling to the Operation Odyssey Dawn tactical recovery package after an F-15E crash in Libya. | Accessed: 2026-07-01DVIDS Raining Hellfire KC-130J Harvest HAWKPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports 2022 Harvest HAWK training, AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-176 Griffin firing from a KC-130J, and AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight System operation. | Accessed: 2026-07-01TWZ Harvest HAWK RetirementPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports Harvest HAWK Plus configuration context and Marine Corps divestment of the Harvest HAWK capability after limited operational use and sustainment cost concerns. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia Commons Harvest Hawk KC-130J with HellfirePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary KC-130J Harvest HAWK photo. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia Commons KC-130J Harvest Hawk sidePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the side-view KC-130J Harvest HAWK photo. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia Commons Griffin launcher KC-130JPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the KC-130J Griffin launcher photo. | Accessed: 2026-07-01