New Look for an Old Warrior

With a fleeting glance, it might be forgiven for thinking this first-generation C-130H is an example of the current-generation C-130J, but the J-model has six-blade propellers, while these props have eight. The aircraft’s Rolls-Royce T56 engines now sport the NP2000 propeller from UTC Aerospace Systems, which to date has installed new prop sets on seven LC-130Hs belonging to the 109th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard (ANG), and two C-130Hs—including this aircraft—of the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming ANG. The company has also been awarded a contract to upgrade 24 U.S. Navy/Marine Corps C/KC-130Ts. Offering increased low-speed thrust and reduced noise and vibration levels, the NP2000 was first fitted to the E-2 Hawkeye/C-2 Greyhound fleet from 2004 and is soon to be adopted for P-3 Orions.