Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon

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The Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon is a heavy transport helicopter produced by Aérospatiale of France. The helicopter is still in use in China where the locally produced version is known as the Z-8. "Frelon" is French for a large European hornet.

Development

Both civilian and military versions of the Super Frelon were built, with the military variants being the most numerous by far, entering service with the French military as well as being exported to Israel, South Africa, Libya, China and Iraq.

Three military variants were produced: military transport, anti-submarine and anti-ship.

The transport version is able to carry 38 equipped troops, or alternatively 15 stretchers for casualty evacuation tasks.

The Naval anti-submarine and anti-ship variants are usually equipped with a navigation and search radar (ORB-42), and a 50 metre rescue cable. They are most often fitted with a 20 mm cannon, counter-measures, night vision, a laser designator and a Personal Locator System. It can also be refueled in flight.

Variants

A Super Frelon taking off from the flying deck of the Clémenceau
A Super Frelon helicopter of the 32F wing, landing on the Ouragan
A South African Air Force SA 321L
SA 3200 Frelon
Prototype.
SA 321
Pre-production aircraft. Four built.
SA 321G
Anti-submarine warfare version for the French Navy.
SA 321Ga
Utility and assault transport helicopter for the French Navy.
SA 321GM
Export version for Libya, fitted with an Omera ORB-32WAS radar.
SA 321H
Export version for Iraq, powered by three Turbomeca Turmo IIIE turboshaft engines, fitted with an Omera ORB-31D search radar, and armed with Exocet anti-ship missiles.
SA 321F
Commercial airline helicopter.
SA 321J
Commercial transport helicopter.
SA 321Ja
Improved version of the SA.321J.
SA 321K
Export version for Israel.
SA 321L
Export version for South Africa.
SA 321M
Search and rescue, utility transport helicopter for Libya.
Changhe Z-8
Chinese built version.
Changhe Z-8A
army transport
Changhe Z-8F
Chinese built version with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-67A turboshaft engines

Operators

A Super Frelon helicopter of the 35F wing of the French Navy

Military Operators

 People's Republic of China
 France
 Iraq
 Israel
 Libya
 South Africa
 Zaire

Civil operators

 Greece
 Norway
  • BAT

Specifications (Naval Super Frelon)

Super Frelon
Super Frelon
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General characteristics

  • Crew: 5
  • Capacity:
    • 27 passengers or
    • 15 stretchers

Performance Armament

  • Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon
  • Missiles:
    • 4× homing torpedoes in the ASW role or
    • 2× Exocet missiles in the anti-ship role

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

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