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Aérospatiale Alouette III

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SA 316 / SA 319 Alouette III
An Alouette III of the 22S wing of the French Navy on the landing pad of Lanvéoc base
Role Light utility helicopter
Manufacturer Sud Aviation
Aérospatiale
First flight 28 February 1959
Introduction 1960
Retired 2004 (with French Armed Forces)
Status Active duty in some nations
Primary users French Armed Forces
Indian Air Force
Pakistan Navy (Naval Air Arm)
Lebanese Air Force
Produced 1961-1985
Number built 2,000+
Developed from Aérospatiale Alouette II
Variants Aérospatiale Gazelle

The Aérospatiale Alouette III (French pronunciation: [alwɛt], Lark) is a single-engine, light utility helicopter developed by Sud Aviation. It was manufactured by Aérospatiale of France, and under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in India as Hal Chetak and Industria Aeronautică Română in Romania.

The Alouette III is the successor to the Alouette II, being larger and having more seating. Originally powered by a Turbomeca Artouste IIIB turboshaft engine, the Alouette III is recognised for its mountain rescue capabilities and adaptability.[clarification needed][citation needed]

Development

The first version of the Alouette III, the SE 3160 prototype, first flew on 28 February 1959. Production of the SA 316A (SE 3160) began in 1961 and remained in production until 1968, when it was replaced by the SA 316B. The last and 1437th Alouette III left the Marignane assembly lines in 1979, when the main production line in France was closed down. The last Alouette III from Aérospatiale was delivered in 1985.

Over 500 units were manufactured under license in Romania, India and Switzerland. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) obtained a licence to build Alouette IIIs as the HAL Chetak in India. Over 300 units were produced by HAL as it continued to independently update and indigenize the helicopter over the years, and a variant is still in production though in diminishing volumes. Versions of the Alouette III were also either licence-built or assembled by IAR in Romania (as the IAR 316), F+W Emmen in Switzerland, and by Fokker and Lichtwerk in the Netherlands.

Production numbers are as follows:

  • France: 1453
  • India: 300+ (Still in production)
  • Romania: 230
  • Switzerland: 60

Operational history

French Navy Alouette III on the frigate La Motte-Picquet

The Alouette III entered in service with the French Armed forces in 1960. From April 1964-1967, three machines were delivered from France for local assembly in Australia, and were used by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at the Woomera Rocket Range for light passenger transport and recovery of missile parts after test launches at the Range.

2 Alouette III of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) were shot down in Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.[1]

The helicopter saw service in the Portuguese Colonial War, during 60's and 70's with large utilization in Angola, Mozambique and Guinea, where it proved its qualities.

In June 2004, the Alouette III was retired from the French Air Force after 32 years of successful service being replaced by the Eurocopter EC 355 Ecureuil 2. In the same year, the Swiss Armed Forces announced the retirement of the Alouette III, from the front line by 2006, and entirely by 2010. Venezuelan Air forces retired their Alouette IIIs in the late 90s.

At Baldonnel 21 September 2007 the Alouette III was retired from the Irish Air Corps. During 44 years of successful service, the fleet amassed over 77,000 flying hours. As well as routine military missions, the aircraft undertook some 1,717 Search and Rescue Missions, saving 542 lives and flew a further 2,882 Air Ambulance flights. The oldest of the Alouettes, 195, is currently being kept in 'rotors running' condition for the Air Corps Museum.[2]

Combat History

Argentina

The Argentine Naval Aviation purchased 14 helicopters. One SA316B was on board the ARA General Belgrano when she was sunk by the HMS Conqueror's torpedoes during the Falklands (Islas Malvinas) War with Great Britain in 1982 and a second one played an important role during the Invasion of South Georgia. On 2 December 2010, the last example was retired at a ceremony held at BAN Comandante Espora, Bahía Blanca.[3][4]

France

The French Army needed a fast, well-armed machine for the war in Algeria. So during this war ALAT (Aviation Légère de l'Armée de Terre) used Alouette IIIs armed with Nord AS.10 and AS.11 wire-guided antitank missiles. The missiles were first used against guerillas who had holed up in heavily fortified mountain caves. Alouette IIIs could carry four missiles each, often operating in mixed formations with gun-armed Alouette IIIs.

India

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited built over 300 units of the helicopter under licence as the HAL Chetak. They were primarily in service with the Indian Armed Forces in training, transport, CASEVAC (Casualty Evacuation), communications and liaison roles. The Chetak is being replaced by HAL Dhruv in the armed forces. An option to re-engine the HAL Chetak with the Turbomeca TM 333-2B engine for high-altitude operations in the Himalayas was considered, but not pursued.

In 1986 the Government constituted the Army's Aviation Corps and most Chetak operating in AOP Squadrons were transferred from the Air Force on 1 November 1986. The Air Force continues to fly armed Chetaks in the anti-tank role as well as for CASEVAC and general duties.

HAL also exported Chetak helicopters to Namibia and Suriname. India has also donated used Chetak helicopters to other countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal.

Namibia

In 2009, India sold two of their Chetak and one Cheetah helicopters to Namibia, for a total price of $10 million.

Pakistan

Simultaneously with acquisition of Mirage IIIs Pakistan purchased 35 Alouette III helicopters and used them in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, mainly for liaison and VIP-transport.

Portugal

Portuguese Air Force's helicopter operating in African theatre during the war.

Guinea Bissau

The war in Guinea Bissau began in earnest in August 1961. From 1967 the situation changed considerably, when the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), officially provided its full support to the PAIGC, de-facto recognising this organisation as an official representation of Guinea Bissau. The Portuguese reaction to these developments was an intensive campaign of building schools, hospitals, housing, and roads, in an effort to improve the living conditions of the local population. Until then, communications were almost non-existent in Guinea. To improve the means of communication, 12 SA.316B Alouette III helicopters were permanently deployed, in order to support the civilians. Several of these helicopters were equipped with 20mm cannons, carried in the rear cabin and fired over the side.

Angola

Portugal used their Alouettes against guerrillas in Africa. During the 60's and 70's Portugal used large numbers of helicopters in Angola, Mozambique and Guinea, where Alouettes proved its qualities for use in dusty and hot flying conditions. The versatile Alouette III bore the brunt of COIN operations in Africa: Wherever the troops were sent, the helicopters led or transported them, flew reconnaissance and liaison, CASEVAC/MEDEVAC and other missions. The Portuguese Air Force would be the first to use them with French 20mm cannons.

The Portuguese needed some time until they learned how to make best use of their Alouettes. They started regularly sitting five of six armed troops aboard, in addition to the crew of two, despite the fact that the Alouette III was built to carry only four passengers. This placed especially the gearbox of the helicopters under strain, causing quite some maintenance problems in return.

After some time the French technicians assigned to FAP instructed the Portuguese to be more careful, and the practice was changed so the number of troops usually transported was reduced. This was causing some problems especially if there were casualties to recover, but there was no way around. The lack of facilities for evacuation of casualties (CASEVAC), however, was one of the main reasons for the low morale among the Portuguese soldiers. The FAP personnel was also highly praised and most of the successes during the war in Angola were achieved either by elite units or the air force. However, the Portuguese pilots had no means to communicate with ground troops: even the most elementary equipment – like smoke-grenades for marking targets, and mirrors – was not available, and the troops were not trained to communicate with pilots.

Rhodesia and South Africa, both of which were concerned about their own future in the case of the Portuguese defeat gave military support. They initially limited their participation on shipments of arms and supplies. However, by 1968 South Africa begun providing SA.316B Alouette III helicopters with crews to the FAP, and finally several companies of South African Defence Forces (SADF) infantry were deployed in southern central Angola. There were reports that a some Rhodesian pilots were recruited to fly FAP helicopters, however Rhodesian pilots were considered too valuable by the RRAF/RhAF to be deployed in support of the Portuguese, while the SADF had pilots and helicopters operating out of “Centro Conjunto de Apoio Aéreo” (CCAA – Joint Air Support Centre), set up in Cuito Cuanavale, in 1968.

FAP deployed a large number of SA.316B Alouette IIIs in Angola, and used them for all possible purposes. All the helicopters of this type were operated by Esquadra 94 and were camouflaged in overall green colour. This camouflage would soon be quite worn out to different shades of olive green due to the sun, sand and rain. In some operations a piece of tarpauline with a large number 1, 2, 3, or 4 was applied on the lower window of the cockpit doors. Several Rhodesian and South African "advisers" supported the Portuguese COIN operations, but these never succeeded in goading the Portuguese into employing some effective Rhodesian combat tactics.

Rhodesia

The Alouette III was originally purchased by the Rhodesians pre UDI. Later a large number of Alouette IIIs were covertly obtained from various sources to increase the capability of No. 7 Squadron and also to replenish the squadron for various losses suffered both by accidents and while on combat missions.

In the 1970s South African Air Force (SAAF) Alouette III helicopters were attached to No. 7 Squadron, Rhodesian Air Force. The Alouette III was also the choice of the South African Air Force which meant that training facilities and expertise could be shared. The Portuguese Air Force had also purchased Alouette IIIs.

For Fireforce missions a gunship version of the Alouette III was fitted with a Matra MG 151/20 20 mm cannon. The 'K-Car', as it was known, was operated usually with a crew of three, (pilot, gunner and fireforce commander). The 'K-Car' was used as a mobile command post to allow the army commander of the heli-borne troops to direct their operations from the air above them.

Ammunition for the 20mm Cannon was carried in a special bin in the left hand baggage compartment and fed to the cannon via a feed tray through the rear bulkhead. The spent brass was collected in a compartment below the cabin floor. The ammunition bin was supposed to be able to carry 440 rounds of 20mm ammuninition, but typically, only 400-410 rounds were loaded. The gunner in the 'K-Car' was also a technician and therefore he was not only the gunner, but also responsible for all the maintenance of his aircraft.

A Rhodesian Alouette III, 'K-Car' had the distinction of shooting down a Botswana Defence Force Islander on 9 August 1979 with its 20mm cannon.

The standard troop carrying/utility version of the Alouette III in the Rhodesian Air Froce were called 'G-Cars'. They were used by No. 7 Squadron for the troop transport, light air/ground fire support, SAR, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) and a variety of other roles.

Rhodesian practice was to operate the 'G-Car' with a gunner/technician and to mount twin Mk 2 .303 Brownings machine guns, with about 400 rounds per gun. As with the 'K-Car', not only did the technician fly in combat and operate the aircraft's weapons, he was also responsible for all the maintenance of the helicopter too.

In the troop carrying role, a "Stick" of four soldiers was the standard load for the RhAF Alouette III. The seating configuration was two in the rear of the cabin, beside the gunner/technician and behind the pilot, with the "Stick commander" in the centre and his MAG gunner beside him. The other two riflemen were in the front on the rear-facing bench seat. Experience in combat led the Rhodesians to remove all but the pilot's door on the 'G-Car' and to reverse the front passengers to widen the available floorspace and gain flexibility. With the doors removed, it was easier for the soldiers to leave the helicopter quickly. Reversing the front seats opened up floor area and therefore more space for internal cargo was available. The standard Sud Aviation front seats in the 'G-Car' were replaced in the Rhodesian Air Force by a "home made" rear-facing bench seat. While carrying troops, casualties on a stretcher could be carried laterally across the rear of the cabin, one on the floor and another stretcher on a rack above it.

In September 1974 Rhodesian Air Force Alouette IIIs were fitted with anti-STRELA shrouds on the engines, the tail pipe was turned up to deflect the hot exhaust gasses into the rotor downwash and they were given matt paint finishes. This was done to reduce the Infra Red signature of the helicopter and proved to be highly successful for the type.

Several Alouettes were brought down by fire from the ground, but considering the intensity of operations, losses were surprisingly low. This was probably due to the highly skilled pilots' tactics of using ultra low level flying and terrain to keep out of the line of enemy fire.

At one stage, 27 SAAF helicopters were deployed in Rhodesia. Within No. 7 Squadron, the SAAF Alouettes were designated as belonging to Alpha Flight.

South Africa

The Alouette III helicopter served for 44 years and flew more than 346.000 hours in the South African Air Force (SAAF).

SAAF received its first examples in 1962, delivered to the SAAF’s 17 Squadron. In all, 118 were delivered between 1962 and the late 1970s. The last eight were received from Rhodesia, possibly as replacements for SAAF helicopters lost during operations in that country. Used in the SAAF in many roles, the Alouette III primary role was qualifying helicopter pilots and flight engineers for the SAAF, its secondary roles of SAR and supporting internal security in South Africa. The Alouette saw service with almost all SAAF helicopter units at one time or another. It was also used extensively throughout the Bush War in Namibia, Angola and Rhodesia. In these countries was used mainly in search-and-rescue, reconnaissance roles, providing top-cover for the Pumas during troop deployments and extractions and close air-support with Koevoet and army units. The Aloutte proved its durability in the demanding African environment.

by 1968 SAAF began providing Alouette III helicopters with crews to the FAP. SAAF was also deeply involved in Rhodesia from 1975 to 1980, at least 20 to 30 Alouette III helicopters were based in Rhodesia at any one time, initially under the South African Police name.

The Alouette III configurations used operationally by the SAAF during the Bush War were:

  • The K-car Gunship: armed with a Ga1, MG151 or Mk V Hispano 20mm cannon with AP and HE rounds. The most prominent feature of the K-car was the specially developed Heat shield around the turbine which vented the exhaust gasses up towards the rotors. This minimised the heat signature of the helicopter making it difficult for the Russian SAMs to lock onto target.
  • The G-car: Transport version, armed with 7.62mm FN MAG for Fireforce type and COIN operations.

An Alouette III powerplant and dynamics system were used as the basis for an engineering and development capability demonstrator as a precursor to the Rooivalk programme. It was designated the Alpha XH-1, and it first flew in 1984 and is preserved at the SAAF Museum. this Missile Gunship was armed with two AS12 Missiles and laser designator.

The official withdrawal of Alouette III in SAAF took place on 30 June 2006 at Swartkop in Pretoria.[5]

Variants

  • SA 316A : the first production version. Original designation SE 3160.
  • SA 316B : powered by a 425 kW (570 shp) Turboméca Artouste IIIB turboshaft engine, with strengthened main and tail rotor for greater performance. The SA 316B was built under licence in India as the HAL Chetak, and again under licence in Romania as the IAR 316.
  • HAL Chetak : Indian production version of the SA 316B.
  • IAR 316 : Romanian production version of the SA 316B.
  • The SA 319B was a direct development of the SA 316B, it was powered with a 649 kW (870 shp) Turboméca Astazou XIV turboshaft engine, but it was derated to 447 kW (660 hp).
  • The SA 316C was powered by a Turbomeca Artouste IIID turboshaft engine. The SA 316C was only built in small numbers.
  • G-Car and K-Car : Helicopter gunship versions for the Rhodesian Air Force.[6] The G-Car was armed with two side-mounted Browning .303 or a single 7.62mm MAG machine guns. The K-Car was armed with a 20 mm MG 151 cannon, fitted inside the cabin, firing from the port side of the helicopter.
  • SA.3164 Alouette-Canon: Modified in 1964 as a gunship version armed with a 20mm gun in the nose and external hardpoints for missiles mounted on each side of the fuselage. Only one prototype was built.[7]
  • IAR 317 Airfox: A Romanian helicopter gunship project based on the IAR 316. Only three prototypes were ever built.
  • Atlas XH-1 Alpha: A Two-seat attack helicopter project. It was used in the development of the Denel AH-2 Rooivalk‎.

When used as an aerial ambulance, the Alouette III can accommodate a pilot, two medical attendants and two stretcher patients.

Operators

Current military operators

 Albania
 Angola
Austrian Alouette III over the Alps
 Austria
 Bangladesh
 Belgium
 Bolivia
 Burkina Faso
 Burma
 Burundi
  • Four (1× SE3160 and 3× SA316Bs)[13]
 Cameroon
 Chad
 Republic of the Congo
 Ivory Coast
 Dominican Republic
 Ecuador
 El Salvador
 Equatorial Guinea
 Ethiopia
 France
 Gabon
 Ghana
 Greece
 Guinea
 Guinea-Bissau
HAL Chetak from Indian Navy's INS Rana.
 India
  • Indian Air Force 87+ (55× French-built SE3160 and SA316B, 32+ Indian-built SA319B Chetak)[27]
  • Indian Navy 18+ (7× French-built SE3160, 7× French-built SA316B plus Indian built Chetaks)[28]
  • Indian Army over 120 in active service.
 Indonesia
 Iran
 Laos
 Libya
 Madagascar
 Malawi
 Malaysia
 Malta
 Mexico
 Morocco
 Mozambique
 Namibia
 Nepal
 Netherlands
 Nicaragua
Pakistan Naval Air Arm Alouette III on board PNS Tippu Sultan at Portsmouth in 2005
 Pakistan
 People's Republic of China
 Peru
Portuguese Alouette III in Africa during a MEDEVAC
 Portugal
 Romania
 Rwanda
 Saudi Arabia
 Seychelles
 South Korea
 South Vietnam
 Sri Lanka (SA316)
 Suriname
 Swaziland
  • Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force 3 ex SAAF[49]
 Tunisia
 Venezuela
 Zaire
 Zambia
 Zimbabwe

Former military operators

File:100308-N-4774B-056 – Argentine Navy Alouette III on USS Bunker Hill.jpg
Argentine Navy Alouette III aboard USS Bunker Hill
 Argentina
 Australia
  • Royal Australian Air Force – Three Alouette IIIs (RAAF serials A3-165 to 167) were in service from 1964 to 1967. The helicopters were used for general transport and support duties at the Woomeria Rocket Range in South Australia.
 United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi)
 Upper Volta
 Bophuthatswana
 Biafra
 Chile
 Denmark
 France
 Hong Kong
 Iraq
File:Sa316b 212 3opswg.jpg
Irish Air Corps SA-316B Alouette III, 212 from 3 Operations Wing at RNAS Yeovilton in July 2006
 Ireland
 Jordan
 Lebanon
  • Lebanese Air Force Eighteen (11× SE3160, 7× SA316B) retired from military service; currently being used for crop spraying [61]
 Rhodesia
Retired Alouette III (SA316B) of the Republic of Singapore Air Force on static display at RSAF Museum.
 Singapore
 South Africa (SA 316)
 Spain
Aérospatiale SA 316 Alouette III of the Swiss Air Force
 Switzerland
  • Swiss Air Force Total of 84: 24× SE3160 first delivered in 1964 (minus 6 accident write-offs) plus 60× SA316B first delivered in 1972 (minus 13 accident write offs). In late August 2010, 10 airframes were donated to Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for search and rescue (SAR) work. On 10 December 2010, all the remaining 55 airframes (of which 20 were still airworthy) were retired at Alpnache Aerodome, replaced by 20× Eurocopter EC635 P2+[65]

Civilian operators

SA316B-1 used by Nagoya Fire Department, Kagamihara Aviation Museum.
 Chile
  • ALFA Helicópteros
 Italy
  • Air Walser srl
  • GIANA Helicopter – RTI
 Japan
 Pakistan
 United States

Specifications (SA 316B)

Close-up of the turbine of an Alouette III

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976-77 [66]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 5 passengers

Performance

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alouette III.

Related development

Related lists

References

Notes
  1. ^ http://bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Appendix3.html
  2. ^ New Wings for the Irish Air Corps
  3. ^ Adiós Alouette
  4. ^ a b "Argentine Navy's Final Alouette III Retired". Air Forces Monthly (275). Key Publishing Ltd: page 24. March 2011. ISSN 0955-7091. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |pages= has extra text (help)
  5. ^ Alouette III final flight
  6. ^ Wood, J.R.T (2009). Counter-strike From the Sky: The Rhodesian All-arms Fireforce in the War in the Bush 1974–1980. 30° South Publishers. ISBN 1920143335. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ https://sites.google.com/site/stingrayslistofrotorcraft/sa-3164-alouette-canon
  8. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 11
  9. ^ Andrade 1982, page 21
  10. ^ Andrade 1982, page 22
  11. ^ Belgian military aviation OrBat
  12. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 35
  13. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 36
  14. ^ Cameroonian military aviation OrBat
  15. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 43
  16. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 50
  17. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 126
  18. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 56
  19. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 188
  20. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 63
  21. ^ a b c French military aviation OrBat
  22. ^ Helicopters of the Securite Civile (in French)
  23. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 77
  24. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 91
  25. ^ Greek military aviation OrBat
  26. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 95
  27. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 102/103
  28. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 103
  29. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 106
  30. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 149
  31. ^ a b Andrade 1982, Page 151
  32. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 153
  33. ^ Malaysian military aviation OrBat
  34. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 154
  35. ^ a b Andrade 1982, Page 157
  36. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 159
  37. ^ a b Andrade 1982, Page 161
  38. ^ Air Combat Information Group – Nepal
  39. ^ Dutch military aviation OrBat
  40. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 166
  41. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 173
  42. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 174
  43. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 178
  44. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 179
  45. ^ Portuguese military aviation OrBat
  46. ^ Young at 95!, Air Forces Monthly magazine, Dirk Jan de Ridder & Menso van Westrhenen, February 2009 issue, p. 54.
  47. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 187
  48. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 190
  49. ^ SAAF Alouettes for Swaziland
  50. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 227
  51. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 338
  52. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 343
  53. ^ Andrade 1982, page 15
  54. ^ Hatch 1990, p. 39
  55. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 335
  56. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 55
  57. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 98
  58. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 111
  59. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 61
  60. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 139
  61. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 147
  62. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 197
  63. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 206
  64. ^ Andrade 1982, Page 208
  65. ^ "Swiss Alouette III operations ended". Air Forces Monthly (274). Key Publishing Ltd: page 15. February 2011. ISSN 0955-7091. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |page= has extra text (help)
  66. ^ Taylor 1976, p.39.
  67. ^ at sea level
Bibliography

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