LC-130H "Ski-Bird" Hercules Transport Aircraft
The Lockheed Martin LC-130H is a ski-equipped variant of the C-130H Hercules optimized for operations in the North and South Poles. Primarily focused on supporting the scientific community in Antarctica, these aircraft are usually used to transport cargo and personnel to and from the continent. A typical trip usually starts in Schenectady, New York, stops over in Christchurch, New Zealand, and then lands at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. The “Ski-Birds” commonly spend time hopping from McMurdo to other field stations and camps, such as the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.
The LC-130 program started as a prototype model developed by modifying a C-130A with skis in 1956, and the type underwent a handful of developmental changes through the 1960s and 1970s under the designations LC-130F and LC-130R. The primary difference between the LCs and typical C-130 models is the addition of retractable skis that allow the plane to land on snow or ice, as well as on conventional runways. The aircraft were also originally designed to employ rocket-assisted-takeoff packs, which would allow an LC-130 to operate from rougher/sticky snow, unprepared surfaces, or even when shorter takeoff runs are needed.
LC-130H "Ski-Bird" Hercules Transport Aircraft
The Lockheed Martin LC-130H is a ski-equipped variant of the C-130H Hercules optimized for operations in the North and South Poles. Primarily focused on supporting the scientific community in Antarctica, these aircraft are usually used to transport cargo and personnel to and from the continent. A typical trip usually starts in Schenectady, New York, stops over in Christchurch, New Zealand, and then lands at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. The “Ski-Birds” commonly spend time hopping from McMurdo to other field stations and camps, such as the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.
The LC-130 program started as a prototype model developed by modifying a C-130A with skis in 1956, and the type underwent a handful of developmental changes through the 1960s and 1970s under the designations LC-130F and LC-130R. The primary difference between the LCs and typical C-130 models is the addition of retractable skis that allow the plane to land on snow or ice, as well as on conventional runways. The aircraft were also originally designed to employ rocket-assisted-takeoff packs, which would allow an LC-130 to operate from rougher/sticky snow, unprepared surfaces, or even when shorter takeoff runs are needed.