The Immortal Hercules

Posted on: Aug. 31st, 2004 || Source: afa.org | E-mail Article | Print Article

It was exactly 2:45 p.m. on Aug. 23, 1954, in Burbank when the prototype of a brand-new Air Force transport slowly took off into the smoggy skies over southern California. As they watched it climb out of sight, Lockheed officials dared to hope that the Air Force might buy as many as 100 of these new aircraft.

Talk about answered prayers.

Even the airplane’s most ardent supporters could not have foreseen that the humble C-130 would enjoy the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft in history. USAF snapped up those first 100 airplanes and just kept on going—for decades, with no sign of stopping anytime soon.

Read the full article

• Northrop, Air Force Complete PDR of New B-2 Bomber Computer Architecture
• Boeing to Demo Net-Centric Upgrade on AWACS Aircraft
• Air Force, Boeing officials upgrade C-130 cockpits
• Russian Air Force may receive fifth-generation fighter in 2013
• Russia's Su-35 fighter makes first demonstration flight
• New Global Hawk UAV model arrives at Beale
• Sixth C-17 swoops into Britain
• Air Force, Army leaders discuss new concept of operations
• RAF Typhoons now multi-role capable
• Raytheon Delivers 100th AESA Radar for Super Hornets, Growlers
• Boeing Installs Engines on 1st P-8A Poseidon
• Pilot tackles Typhoons during exchange duty in England
• Eurofighter Typhoon Begins Air Surveillance in Austria
• KC-45 Aerial Refueling Boom Completes Key Flight and Performance Milestones
• New Global Hawk UAV model scheduled to arrive at Beale