US Navy Reserve’s NP2000-equipped KC-130Ts cleared to refuel more aircraft types
Peter Felstead
The US Navy (USN) Reserve’s fleet of KC-130T Hercules tanker/transport aircraft, upgraded with the NP2000 propeller system, are cleared to aerially refuel a significantly wider range of aircraft across the USN’s carrier airwings following envelope expansion testing at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) that concluded in early 2025, US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) reported on 24 February 2025.
The test effort expands the KC-130T’s mission – and that of the USN’s fleet reserve, which exclusively operates the aircraft – beyond its primary focus on logistics and cargo transport.
Prior to the envelope expansion testing at NAWCAD, only the Bell-Boeing MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor was cleared to refuel from KC-130Ts equipped with NP2000 eight-bladed propellers. Now, US naval aviation’s F-35B/C, F/A-18, EA-18 and AV-8B jets and CH-53K, CH-47 and H-60 helicopters are cleared for air-to-air refuelling from KC-130Ts.
The testing at NAWCAD was conducted by federal government engineers, testers and military test pilots from Ait test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20, along with industry partners who worked to make sure the KC-130T with its upgraded NP2000 propeller system could safely refuel those aircraft.
“If we look forward to any future fight, it’s going to take intense collaboration between all of the forces: Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard,” NAWCAD’s developmental test wing commodore, Caption, Elizabeth Somerville, was quoted as saying in a NAVAIR press release. “Any resource that provides fuel airborne is going to be invaluable to all assets that are flying.”
The KC-130T test effort significantly increases US naval aviation’s operational reach and flexibility, as well as that of several international allies, and stemmed from a request by US Pacific Fleet.
The K-130T Hercules is a multi-role, long-range, land-based tactical aircraft that provides logistical support to fleet operating forces. The US Navy Reserve operates around 11 of the type.
The NP2000 propeller system, which is produced by Collins Aerospace, features an Electronic Propeller Control System (EPCS), propellers with eight modular composite blades and other modernised components. As well as delivering a notable improvement in reliability and performance, along with a reduction in vibration and interior noise, the NP2000 propellers also give the K-130T an up-to-20% increase in thrust.
