Navy Reserve’s Upgraded KC-130T Hercules Cleared to Refuel More Aircraft

Move comes after testing of fleet upgrade to eight-blade composite propeller system.

Kimberly Johnson

Monday, February 24, 2025 at 01:17 PM ET

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Edited By: tccjeremy

A KC-130T equipped with NP2000 in a air-to-air refueling test flight. [Courtesy: U.S. Navy]

Key Takeaways:

U.S. Navy Reserve KC-130T Hercules tankers, upgraded with a new eight-blade composite NP2000 propeller system, have been cleared to refuel a significantly wider range of aircraft across the carrier air wing.
This expanded capability, confirmed by recent testing, dramatically increases naval aviation’s operational reach and flexibility, supporting various fighter jets and helicopters including F-35s, F/A-18s, and CH-53Ks.
The NP2000 propeller system upgrade also brings substantial benefits such as a 50% decrease in maintenance costs, reduced airframe vibration and noise, and increased thrust for shorter takeoffs.

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U.S. Navy Reserve KC-130T Hercules tankers upgraded with a new eight-blade composite propeller system have been cleared to refuel a wider range of aircraft across the carrier air wing, Naval Air System Command said Monday.

The move follows testing at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) in early 2025 that cleared KC-130T for air-to-air refueling of F-35B/C Lightning II, F/A-18 Hornet, EA-18 Growler, CH-53K King Stallion, CH-47 Chinook, H-60s helicopters, and AV-8B Harriers with the NP2000 propeller system, the command said.