
magicdragon wrote:1) Can the KC-130J combine both transport and refueling roles in one mission, or does the aircraft need to be reconfigured for refueling?
2) In a refueling mission, is all the fuel stored in the KC-130's fuel tanks + the underwing fuel tanks? Or is the cargo hold used to carry extra fuel? If so, how much?
3) the 60,000lbs of fuel in the article - is that just internal fuel (+pods)? If so, can the aircraft still transport cargo as well?
(1) It can combine both transport and refueling. The cargo compartment can be used for cargo on a refueling mission if it doesn't hold the optional 3,600 gallon fuselage tank (see (2)).
(2) A KC-130J can carry an aluminum 3,600 gallon (13,627 liter) fuel tank inside the cargo compartment should the mission require it. The Marines and Navy use this tank too in their KC-130T's.
(3) The KC-130J has 8,455 gallons (57,500lbs) of fuel from the wing and external tanks. It can then still plenty of cargo as well. Adding the 3,600 gallon (24,392lbs) fuel tank limits that space.