The WC-130 Hercules is a high-wing, medium-range aircraft used in weather reconnaissance missions. This plane is a modified version of the C-130 transport configured with computerized weather instruments for penetration of severe storms to obtain data on storm movements, dimensions and intensity.

The aircraft is capable of staying aloft almost 15 hours at an optimum cruise speed of more than 300 miles per hour. An average weather reconnaissance mission might last 11 hours and cover almost 3,500 miles. The crew collects and reports weather data every 30 seconds.