Aircraft comparison
C-141 Starlifter vs C-130 Hercules
Compare the specifications that meaningfully distinguish these two aircraft.
C-141 Starlifter
C-130 Hercules
Manufacturer
Lockheed
Lockheed / Lockheed Martin
Role / type
Strategic airlifter
Tactical airlifter
First flight
December 17, 1963
August 23, 1954
Engines
4 × underwing turbofans
4 × turboprops
Crew
Typically 5–7
Typically 5 on legacy variants; fewer on C-130J
Capacity
Up to 205 troops or 168 paratroopers
Up to 92 troops or 64 paratroopers
Cruise speed
About 500 mph (805 km/h)
About 336 mph (541 km/h)
Maximum speed
About 567 mph (912 km/h)
About 366 mph (589 km/h)
Range
Ferry range about 5,200 nmi
About 2,000 nmi with useful payload, variant dependent
Length
168 ft 4 in (51.3 m), C-141B
97 ft 9 in (29.8 m)
Wingspan
160 ft (48.8 m)
132 ft 7 in (40.4 m)
Maximum takeoff weight
342,100 lb (155,174 kg)
Up to 155,000 lb (70,307 kg) on C-130J-30
Production
1963–1968
1954–present
Number built
285
More than 2,700