7
The C-130 has the advantage over the C-17 in that it is significantly less expensive to operate, at
$2,200/flight hour compared to $8,500/flight hour for the C-17 (FY-10 data from Air Force Total
Ownership Cost database). After the Arab oil embargos of the 1970’s, the relatively low fuel
burn of the C-130 became one of its strongest selling points.
Because of the ubiquitousness of the C-130, US Army brigade combat team equipment has a
design requirement to fit into the C-130. The Army has struggled to design capable armored
vehicles that can meet the cargo hold size and weight limitations of the C-130. The Stryker, a
new class of Army armored vehicles, had a design requirement that it be transported for 1000
NM by the C-130 and arrive ready to fight. While the Army ultimately demonstrated the ability
to transport the 38,000 lbs Stryker in the C-130, the C-130 is often not able to meet the range
requirement, and the vehicle must be fueled and provisioned before it can conduct combat
operations, failing to meet a key operational requirement. Additionally, the C-130 is unable to
carry mine resistance ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles.
The complexity and age of the C-130’s propulsion system design is reflected in fleet reliability,
which is low compared to other AMC aircraft. The following is AMC overall planning
commitment levels (Reference: AMCI 10-202,
Mission Reliability Reporting System,
Vol 6,
Table A2.2):
MDS Normal
Contingency/Surge
C-5 65% 75%
C-17 85% 90%
C-130J 75% 85%
C-130E/H
65%
75%
KC-135 80% 85%
KC-10 80% 80%
