C-130 Hercules tanker aircraft supports fight against California wildfires – NBC Los Angeles

A gigantic aircraft capable of long-distance flights carrying thousands of gallons of fire retardant has joined California's firefighting fleet.

The first fully operational C-130 Hercules tanker aircraft entered service on Monday. Six more of the four-engine turboprop aircraft, originally designed as military transport aircraft, are now set to join Cal Fire's arsenal.

The aircraft were added to the fleet with the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act by Congress, which was signed into law by President Biden in December 2023. The law authorized the transfer of the U.S. Coast Guard's retired aircraft to the state of California.

The C-130Hs were then equipped with a 4,000-gallon tank and a fire retardant drop system to provide critical fire retardant drops on wildfires. The first C-130H entered service at McClellan Airtanker Base outside Sacramento, making California the first state to use the aircraft for firefighting operations.

The huge aircraft, with a total weight of 70,000 kilograms and a wingspan of 41 meters, is powered by four Allison turboprop engines, each of which delivers 4,300 hp.

The C130H can fly 800 miles with a payload of 4,000 gallons of fire retardant, giving it the longest range in Cal Fire's air fleet. Without a payload, the aircraft has a range of 3,000 miles.

“As the frequency and severity of wildfires increases across California, the addition of this aircraft will undoubtedly play a critical role in helping us meet our initial suppression goals, particularly in our efforts to contain 95% of fires to 10 acres or less,” Cal Fire Chief Joe Tyler said in a statement.

The seven C130Hs will be stationed at air force bases across the state.