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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
Status Active
Primary users French Armed Forces
Indian Armed Forces[N 1]
Portuguese Air Force[1]
South African Air Force[1] (historical)
Produced 1961-1985
Number built 2,000+
Developed from Aérospatiale Alouette II
Developed into 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 licence 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

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 licence 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 service)
  • Romania: 200+
  • Switzerland: 60

Operational 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 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.[2][3]

Danish Navy Alouette III on HDMS Beskytteren in 1977

Australia

From April 1964 to 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.

Denmark

Eight machines were delivered to the Royal Danish Navy from 1962 to 1967. They were primarily tasked with SAR and reconnaissance in support of the navy's Arctic patrol ships. In 1982 they were replaced by the Westland Lynx

France

French Navy Alouette III on the frigate La Motte-Picquet

The Alouette III entered in service with the French Armed forces in 1960, the French Army ordered 50 Alouette IIIs in June 1961.

In June 1960, an Alouette III carrying seven people made take-offs and landings on Mont Blanc in the French Alps at an altitude of 4,810 meters (15,780 feet), an unprecedented altitude for such activities by a helicopter.[4] The same helicopter again demonstrated the type's extraordinary performance in November 1960 by making take-offs and landings with a crew of two and a payload of 250 kg (551 lbs) in the Himalayas at an altitude of 6,004 meters (19,698 feet).[4]

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.

The French Navy still uses the Alouette III for Search and Rescue and Logistics missions.

Ireland

At Baldonnel on 21 September 2007 the Alouette III was retired from the Irish Air Corps. During 44 years of successful service, the Irish Alouette III 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 kept in 'rotors running' condition for the Air Corps Museum.[5]

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.

Pakistan

Pakistan purchased 35 Alouette III helicopters and used them in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, mainly for liaison and VIP-transport. Two Alouette IIIs of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) were shot down during the war.[6]

Portugal

Portuguese paratroopers jump from an Alouette III in an air assault operation in Angola in the early 1960s.

Starting in 1963, Portugal was the first country to use the Alouette III in combat, during the Overseas Wars in Angola, Mozambique and Portuguese Guinea, where it proved its qualities. The Portuguese Alouette III were mainly used for air assault and medevac operations.

Besides the basic transport version (code named canibal, plural canibais), Portugal used a special version of the Alouette III with a MG 151 20 mm autocannon mounted in the rear in order to fire from the left side door. This version was designated helicanhão (heli-cannon) and code named lobo mau (big bad wolf).

In the Overseas Wars, the Portuguese usually launched air assaults with groups of six or seven Alouette III: five or six canibais - each carrying usually five paratropers or commandos - and a lobo mau heli-cannon. The Portuguese practice was the canibais approaching the ground, but not landing, instead staying hovering in the air, launching the troops to the ground from there. The famous images of Portuguese paratroopers or commandos jumping from Alouette III helicopters, from an height of two or three meters from the ground, became some of the most characteristics of the War. The landing of the troops from the canibais was covered by the lobo mau. While the troops performed the ground assault, the canibais moved away from the combat zone, staying the lobo mau in the support of ground forces, destroying the enemy resistance and concentration points with the fire of its 20 mm autocannon. Finished the ground combat, the canibais returning, in a first wave collecting the wounded and subsequently collecting the troops.

Presently, the Portuguese Air Force still maintains a number of Alouette III in service, mainly used for training and SAR. They also equip the aerobatic team Rotores de Portugal.

Rhodesia

At peak No. 7 Squadron, Rhodesian Air Force, operated 34 Allouette III, along with a smaller number of Allouette II in the troop transport, casevac and battlefield support roles. They played a major part in the Rhodesian Forces' "Fire Force" doctrine, both deploying ground troops and providing mobile fire support.[7]

South Africa

The Alouette III served for over 44 years and flew more than 346,000 hours in the South African Air Force (SAAF), particularly during counterstrike operations in Angola. The aircraft was officially withdrawn from SAAF service at AFB Swartkop near Pretoria in June, 2006.[8]

In early 2013, an interim court order blocked the proposed sale of South Africa's retired Alouette fleet to the Zimbabwean Air Force.[9]

Switzerland

In 2004, the Swiss Armed Forces announced the retirement of the Alouette III from front-line service by 2006 and entirely by 2010.

Venezuela

The Venezuelan Air Force retired its Alouette IIIs in the late 1990s.

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.[10] 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.[11]
  • IAR 317 Airfox: A Romanian helicopter gunship project based on the IAR 316. Only three prototypes were ever built.
  • Atlas XH-1 Alpha: South African 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

 Angola
Austrian Alouette III over the Alps
 Austria
 Bolivia
 Burkina Faso
 Burundi
 Cameroon
 Chad
 Democratic Republic of the Congo
 Ethiopia
 France
 Gabon
 Ghana
 Greece
HAL Chetak from Indian Navy's INS Rana.
 India
 Indonesia
 Ivory Coast
 Malaysia
 Malta
An Alouette III used by the Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta during a flying display.
 Namibia
 Nepal
Pakistan Naval Air Arm Alouette III on board PNS Tippu Sultan at Portsmouth in 2005
 Pakistan
Portuguese Rotores de Portugal aerobatic team's Alouette III helicopters
 Portugal
 South Korea
 Swaziland
 Tunisia
 Zimbabwe

Former military operators

Argentine Navy Alouette III aboard USS Bunker Hill

 Abu Dhabi

 Argentina
 Bangladesh
 Belgium
 Bophuthatswana
 Burma
 Chile
Circa 1980, a Royal Danish Navy's Alouette III on a Hvidbjørnen-class inspection vessel.
 Denmark
 Dominican Republic
 Ecuador
 El Salvador
 France
 Guinea
 Guinea-Bissau
 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
 Libya
 Madagascar
 Malawi
 Mexico
 Morocco
 Mozambique
 Netherlands
 Nicaragua
 Peru
 Rhodesia
 Rwanda
Retired Alouette III (SA316B) of the Republic of Singapore Air Force on static display at RSAF Museum.
 Saudi Arabia
 Seychelles
 Singapore
 South Africa
 South Vietnam
 Spain
Aérospatiale SA 316 Alouette III of the Swiss Air Force
 Switzerland
 Upper Volta
 Venezuela
 FR Yugoslavia
 Zaire

Specifications (SA 316B)

Close-up of the turbine of an Alouette III

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976-77 [54]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 5 passengers

Performance

See also

Related development

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ^ Major foreign users of the Alouette III are Indian Air Force (300+ delivered), Portuguese Air Force (179 delivered) and South African Air Force (118 delivered).[1]

Citations

  1. ^ a b c "SIPRI arms transfer database". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Updated on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Adiós Alouette
  3. ^ "Argentine Navy's Final Alouette III Retired". Air Forces Monthly (275). Key Publishing Ltd: 24. March 2011. ISSN 0955-7091.
  4. ^ a b Donald, p. 22.
  5. ^ New Wings for the Irish Air Corps
  6. ^ http://bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Appendix3.html
  7. ^ . Rhodesian Army Association http://rhodesianforces.org/No7Sqn.htm. Retrieved 14 December 2013. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ Alouette III final flight
  9. ^ SABC: Zim helicopter interdict confirmed, 2/2/2013
  10. ^ 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 1-920143-33-5. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ https://sites.google.com/site/stingrayslistofrotorcraft/sa-3164-alouette-canon
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac "World Air Forces 2013" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  13. ^ "World Air Forces 1975". flightglobal.com. p. 291. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  14. ^ "Comando de Aviacion Naval Argentina Alouette III". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  15. ^ "World Air Forces 1983". flightglobal.com. p. 327. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  16. ^ "World Air Forces 1983". flightglobal.com. p. 328. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  17. ^ "World Air Forces 1987". flightglobal.com. p. 44. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  18. ^ "World Air Forces 1975". flightglobal.com. p. 293. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  19. ^ "Armada de Chile Alouette III". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  20. ^ "Kongelige Danske Marine Alouette III". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  21. ^ "World Air Forces 1987". flightglobal.com. p. 50. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  22. ^ "Armada Ecuatoriana Alouette III". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  23. ^ "Fuerza Aerea Salvadoreña Alouette III". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  24. ^ "Armée de L'air SA 316". Retrieved 16 April 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "World Air Forces 1983". flightglobal.com. p. 338. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  26. ^ "Securite Civile Alouette III". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  27. ^ "World Air Forces 1987". flightglobal.com. p. 59. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  28. ^ "World Air Forces 1983 pg .346". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  29. ^ "Royal Hong Kong Aux. Air Force Alouette III". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  30. ^ "World Air Forces 1983". flightglobal.com. p. 352. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  31. ^ "Aer Chór na hÉireann Alouette III". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  32. ^ "World Air Forces 1983". flightglobal.com. p. 358. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  33. ^ "World Air Forces 1983". flightglobal.com. p. 359. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  34. ^ a b c "World Air Forces 1987". flightglobal.com. p. 68. Retrieved 30 March 2013. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  35. ^ "World Air Forces 1983". flightglobal.com. p. 360. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  36. ^ a b "World Air Forces 1987". flightglobal.com. p. 72. Retrieved 30 March 2013. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  37. ^ a b c "World Air Forces 1987". flightglobal.com. p. 73. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  38. ^ "World Air Forces 1987". flightglobal.com. p. 74. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  39. ^ a b c "World Air Forces 1987". flightglobal.com. p. 77. Retrieved 30 March 2013. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  40. ^ "World Air Forces 1971". flightglobal.com. p. 936. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  41. ^ "World Air Forces 1987". flightglobal.com. p. 80. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  42. ^ "World Air Forces 1975". flightglobal.com. p. 308. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  43. ^ "World Air Forces 1990". flightglobal.com. p. 68. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  44. ^ "Republic of Singapore Air Force Alouette III". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  45. ^ "Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag Alouette III". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  46. ^ "Military Helicopter Market 1971". flightglobal.com. p. 581. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  47. ^ "Ejercito del aire Alouette III". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  48. ^ "Fuerzas Aeromóviles del Ejército de Tierra Alouette III". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  49. ^ "schweizer luftwaffe Alouette III". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  50. ^ Volta "World Air Forces 1983". flightglobal.com. p. 379. Retrieved 30 March 2013. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  51. ^ "Fuerza Aerea de Venezuela Alouette III". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  52. ^ "World Air Forces 1987". flightglobal.com. p. 67. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  53. ^ "World Air Forces 1987". flightglobal.com. p. 106. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  54. ^ Taylor 1976, p. 39.
  55. ^ at sea level

Bibliography

  • Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1997. ISBN 0-7607-0592-5.
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