MC-130H Talon II

The MC-130H Talon II aircraft provides global, day, night, and adverse weather capability to infiltrate, re-supply and ex-filtrate US and allied special operation forces. It features terrain-following and terrain-avoidance radar, in-flight refueling equipment, high-speed aerial delivery system, and INS/GPS-aided navigation system. In addition, the Talon II features highly automated controls and displays to reduce crew size and workload. The first MC-130H Talon II was deployed in 1991. A Talon II evacuated Americans from the US embassy in Liberia in 1996. The following year, Talon II participated in evacuation of Americans from US embassy in Zaire. This aircraft can accommodate up to 52 paratroopers or 75 troops. In April 2005, the Boeing company received a $137 million contract from the US Air Force to begin modify ten existing C-130s into MC-130H Combat Talon II configuration. This contract covered the modification work of two aircraft. A follow-on production phase contract, valued at $446 million, was anticipated covering the modification work of the remaining eight aircraft. Deliveries to the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) will begin in July 2008 and will continue through the end of 2011. These aircraft are expected to play a vital role in the global war on terrorism. The US Air Force retired the last four MC-130E Combat Talon I aircraft in April 2013.

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