The initial production model was the C-130A ... As of 2015, more than 2,500 C-130 Hercules aircraft have been produced, ...

The aircraft can airdrop up to 42,000 pound loads ... and provides life-cycle cost savings over earlier C-130 models. Compared to older C-130s, the J model climbs faster and higher, flies farther ...

Lockheed Martin has updated the design of the C-130 several times since 1954. The aircraft has been produced in more than 70 variants, with some models being used for commercial transport.