The world’s largest ski-equipped aircraft is truly a modern wonder. There are currently ten LC-130 in service with the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard which mostly run supply missions to remote scientific research outposts on Greenland and Antarctica where traditional runways are nonexistent.
To overcome the lack of tarmac, retractable skis were designed so the LC-130 could take off and land at both regular airports and on snow and ice. There were lots of design hurdles to overcome to make LC-130 operational in some of the harshest conditions in on planet but the most fascinating is its RATO System (Rocket Assisted Takeoff). In addition to quad turboprops, each LC-130 can be equipped with an array of rockets mounted on either side of the fuselage, providing 1000 lbs of thrust a piece enabling it to get airborne on short icy runways unlike any other plane in the sky.
The RATO rockets aren’t used on every takeoff but are reserved for when the LC-130 operates from rough, unprepared snow surfaces, sticky snow or when shorter takeoff runs are needed. Seeing them in action is truly wild.