RAAF Hercules fleet hits 170,000 flight hour milestone

RAAF Hercules Fleet Reaches 170,000 Flight Hours

The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) 37 Squadron has proudly marked its C-130J Hercules fleet surpassing 170,000 flying hours. The Hercules aircraft has been vital for both domestic tactical airlift missions and important international operations.

A Legacy of Service and Upcoming Transition

Expected to stay active into the 2030s, the Hercules fleet will eventually be replaced by a new generation of C-130 aircraft under Project AIR 7404.

Significance of the Milestone

“It was great to see that the milestone ticked over during a sortie very typical of C-130J operations – a resupply mission to Port Moresby in support of [Exercise] Olgeta Warrior,” said Flight Lieutenant David Campbell, pilot during the 170,000th hour flight.
“It was a good opportunity to reflect on not just the flying hour milestone, but the immense contribution behind the scenes by our maintenance, logistics and operations personnel to keep the aircraft flying all these years, which would be many multiples of the flying hour total.”

Impact on Australian Defence

Since its introduction in 1999, the C-130J Hercules has significantly enhanced Australia's airlift capabilities by providing increased range, payload, and advanced avionics.

Summary

The RAAF’s Hercules fleet continues to be a crucial asset, demonstrating enduring reliability and service well beyond two decades, with a future upgrade planned under Project AIR 7404.

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Australian Aviation Australian Aviation — 2025-11-10

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