Aircraft & UAVs

MC-130J Commando II

Also known as
  • MC-130J
  • Commando II
  • MC-130J Commando II
  • Combat Shadow II
  • Combat Talon III

The MC-130J Commando II is Lockheed Martin's U.S. special-operations transport and tanker for low-level infiltration, exfiltration, resupply, and air-refueling missions. Air Force sources document Afghanistan resupply missions, 2011 service entry, four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprops, and the type's relationship to GBU-43/B MOAB airdrop training.

MC-130J Commando II, Special operations transport aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: 522d Special Operations Squadron - MC-130J Commando II.jpg

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Special operations transport aircraft
Service note
2011-2024 production; in service
Unit cost
$114.2M (FY22)
Produced
2011-2024
Developed from
C-130J Super Hercules

Specifications

Primary function
Infiltration, exfiltration, resupply, and air refueling for special operations forces
Power plant
Four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprops
Thrust
4,591 shaft horsepower per engine
Crew
2 pilots, 1 combat systems officer, and 2 special mission aviators
Speed
Around 300 knots
Range
About 3,000 miles
Maximum takeoff weight
164,000 pounds
Dimensions
Length 97 feet 9 inches (29.3 meters); wingspan 132 feet 7 inches (39.7 meters); height 38 feet 10 inches (11.8 meters)
Special Operations Mission Systems

The Commando II is built around special-operations mobility rather than general tactical airlift. Air Force fact sheets emphasize night, low-visibility infiltration, exfiltration, resupply, helicopter and tiltrotor air refueling, and operations into politically sensitive or hostile areas.

Crew station and avionics

The MC-130J uses an advanced flight station, integrated digital avionics and navigation, and an added combat-systems officer station for special-mission work.

Refueling role

Wing-mounted external tanks and drogue pods let the aircraft refuel special-operations helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft while the MC-130J can also receive fuel in flight.

Combat Talon III upgrade

Air & Space Forces describes the Combat Talon III upgrade path as adding terrain-following/terrain-avoidance radar, radio-frequency countermeasures, and airborne mission networking.

Variants

The MC-130J started service under the Combat Shadow II popular name before AFSOC changed the name to Commando II in 2012. Air & Space Forces describes Combat Talon III as the upgraded MC-130J configuration with terrain-following/terrain-avoidance radar, radio-frequency countermeasures, and airborne mission networking.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
MC-130J Combat Talon IIIModernized MC-130J configuration

Air & Space Forces identifies Combat Talon III as the upgraded MC-130J with TF/TA radar, radio-frequency countermeasures, and airborne mission networking for low-level penetration and threat response.

Sources: MC-130J Commando II/COMBAT TALON III

Airdropped Munitions

Air Force and DVIDS coverage ties the MC-130J Commando II to GBU-43/B MOAB airdrop training and test drops.

Launched itemItem typeLaunch evidence
GBU-43/B MOAB, GPS/INS-guided massive ordnance air blast bomb, MunitionsGBU-43/B MOABMassive ordnance air blast bomb

DVIDS coverage says the MC-130J Commando II is the first aircraft to ever drop the GBU-43/B MOAB, and the MC-130J training manual includes GBU-43 airdrop procedures.

Sources: Behind the Boom, AFMAN 11-2MC-130J, Vol 1

Compatible Airdrop Systems

Air Force MC-130J manuals document Joint Precision Air Drop System procedures and certification events for Commando II crews.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
Joint Precision Air Drop System, GPS-guided airdrop system with steerable parachute bundles, Support EquipmentJoint Precision Air Drop SystemGPS-guided precision airdrop system

AFMAN 11-2MC-130J Vol. 1 lists JPADS/I-CDS as an instructor-certified MC-130J event, and Vol. 3 includes MC-130J JPADS procedures.

Sources: AFMAN 11-2MC-130J, Vol 1, AFMAN 11-2MC-130J, Vol 3

Timeline

MC-130J Commando II Key Events

  1. First MC-130J flight

    Air & Space Forces lists April 20, 2011 as the MC-130J's first flight date.

    Sources: MC-130J Commando II/COMBAT TALON III

  2. First aircraft reaches Cannon AFB

    Air Force reporting says the first MC-130J arrived at Cannon Air Force Base on September 29, 2011, beginning the type's operational transition.

    Sources: Air Force changes name of MC-130J

  3. Commando II name announced

    AFSOC announced the popular-name change from Combat Shadow II to Commando II to reflect the aircraft's multi-mission special-operations role.

    Sources: Air Force changes name of MC-130J

  4. First Afghanistan deployment

    AFSOC says the first deployed MC-130J went to Afghanistan in March 2013 and supported hundreds of mobility missions there.

    Sources: AFSOC accepts final MC-130J

  5. Final production handover ceremony

    AFSOC marked the final MC-130J production handover at Marietta, Georgia, closing the production phase of the command's Commando II recapitalization effort.

    Sources: AFSOC accepts final MC-130J

Media

MC-130J Commando II Images

MC-130J Commando II, Special operations transport aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II (34814595634).jpg
MC-130J Commando II, Special operations transport aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II (34846612943).jpg
MC-130J Commando II, Special operations transport aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3
Source: MC-130J Commando II - RIAT 2016 (30359171162).jpg
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GBU-43/B MOAB, GPS/INS-guided massive ordnance air blast bomb, MunitionsMunitionsGBU-43/B MOABGPS/INS-guided massive ordnance air blast bombThe GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, widely known as MOAB or the "Mother of All Bombs," is a very large U.S. GPS/INS-guided conventional bomb developed rapidly by the Air Force Research Laboratory with Dynetics support. It uses a BLU-120/B high-explosive body, tail and grid-fin control, and cargo-aircraft ramp deployment rather than fighter carriage. Its only documented combat use was the April 13, 2017 U.S. strike on an ISIS-K tunnel complex in Afghanistan, where commanders selected its blast effect to reduce obstacles facing Afghan and U.S. clearing forces.
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Sources

MC-130J Commando II (AFSOC)Publisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports MC-130J background, special-operations transport and tanker role, crew, range, dimensions, power plant, speed, unit cost, service history, and the final aircraft acceptance context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02MC-130J Commando II | Lockheed MartinPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports manufacturer context and the MC-130J's special-mission transport and aerial-refueling role. | Accessed: 2026-07-02AFSOC accepts final MC-130JPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the December 2024 final-handover milestone and directly documents the MC-130J's March 2013 Afghanistan deployment, mission count, flight hours, passenger movement, and cargo moved during the 2001 War in Afghanistan. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Distinguished Flying Cross awarded for heroism in actionPublisher: Air Force Special Operations Command | Note: Directly supports the 2001 War in Afghanistan conflict-use row by documenting an MC-130J Commando II crew conducting a Jan. 5, 2016 resupply airdrop for U.S. and coalition special operations forces in Helmand Province while under enemy fire. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Air Force changes name of MC-130JPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the Commando II name-change date, previous Combat Shadow II popular name, Cannon AFB arrival date, and special-operations mission framing. | Accessed: 2026-07-02MC-130J Commando II/COMBAT TALON IIIPublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports first-flight and IOC dates, Combat Talon III modernization context, refueling equipment, mission systems, and additional technical data. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Behind the BoomPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports the MC-130J Commando II relationship to the GBU-43/B MOAB as the first aircraft to ever drop it. | Accessed: 2026-07-02AFMAN 11-2MC-130J, Vol 1Publisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports MC-130J GBU-43 and JPADS/I-CDS airdrop procedures and training context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02AFMAN 11-2MC-130J, Vol 3Publisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports MC-130J operational procedures for Joint Precision Air Drop System employment. | Accessed: 2026-07-02522d Special Operations Squadron - MC-130J Commando II.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the primary MC-130J image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II (34814595634).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the gallery image showing the MC-130J in flight. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II (34846612943).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the gallery image of the MC-130J on the ground. | Accessed: 2026-06-27MC-130J Commando II - RIAT 2016 (30359171162).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the gallery image of the MC-130J during operations. | Accessed: 2026-06-27