Lockheed WC-130J Hurricane Hunter Weather Reconnaissance Aircraft Variant
The Lockheed WC-130J Hercules is a dedicated weather-reconnaissance variant of the C-130J, configured with palletized meteorological instrumentation for penetration of tropical disturbances, hurricanes, and winter storms. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters use its aerial reconnaissance weather officer, dropsonde, and microwave-radiometer systems to collect and relay storm structure, wind, pressure, temperature, and precipitation data to the National Hurricane Center.
Follow this vehicle family
Future launches and major activity directly linked to this vehicle family.
Identity
- Aliases
- WC-130JWC-130J HerculesWC-130J Hurricane HunterHurricane Hunter
- Family Name
- Lockheed WC-130J Hercules
- Full Name
- Lockheed WC-130J Hurricane Hunter Weather Reconnaissance Aircraft Variant
- Roles
- militaryreconnaissanceweatherutility
- Status
- active
- Type
- aircraft
Details
- Aircraft Specs
- Configuration
- fixed_wing
- Crew Capacity
- 5
- Max Payload Mass
- …
- Max Speed
- …
- Max Takeoff Mass
- …
- Operating Modes
- land
- Range
- …
- Service Ceiling
- …
- Takeoff Landing Capabilities
- stol
- Description
- The Lockheed WC-130J Hercules is a dedicated weather-reconnaissance variant of the C-130J, configured with palletized meteorological instrumentation for penetration of tropical disturbances, hurricanes, and winter storms. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters use its aerial reconnaissance weather officer, dropsonde, and microwave-radiometer systems to collect and relay storm structure, wind, pressure, temperature, and precipitation data to the National Hurricane Center.
- Dimensions
- Height
- …
- Length
- …
- Wingspan
- …
- Manufacturer
- Parent Vehicle Family
- Propulsion Configurations
- Entries
- Count
- 4
- Placement
- wing
- Propulsion System
- Role
- main
- Stage
- airframe
- Variant Notes
- Four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprops; WC-130J Hurricane Hunter.
- Name
- WC-130J AE2100D3 installation
- Notes
- The 403rd Wing fact sheet specifies four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprops for the WC-130J.
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 15, 2026 at 10:57:54 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 15, 2026 at 10:57:54 UTC