| SA 316/SA 319 Alouette III | |
|---|---|
 AFrench Navy SA 316B Alouette III in 2003 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Lightutilityhelicopter |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Sud Aviation Aérospatiale |
| Built by | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Industria Aeronautică Română (IAR) |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | French Armed Forces |
| Number built | 2,000+ |
| History | |
| Manufactured | Sud: 1961–1970 Aérospatiale: 1970–1985 HAL:1965–2021 IAR:1971–1987 |
| Introduction date | 1960 |
| First flight | 28 February 1959 |
| Developed from | Aérospatiale Alouette II |
| Variant | IAR 316 |
| Developed into | Aérospatiale Gazelle Atlas XH-1 Alpha |
TheAérospatiale Alouette III (French pronunciation:[alwɛt],Lark; company designationsSA 316 andSA 319) is a single-engine, lightutility helicopter developed by French aircraft companySud Aviation. Introduced in the early 1960s, more than 2,000 units were built during its production run that extended for six decades.
The Alouette III was developed as an enlarged derivative of the earlier successfulAlouette II. It shared many design elements with its predecessor while offering an extra pair of seats and other refinements. It quickly became a commercial success and was operated by a range of civil and military customers. Further variants were also developed; amongst these was a high-altitude derivative, designated as theSA 315B Lama, which entered operational service during July 1971. The Alouette III was principally manufactured byAérospatiale, after its take over of Sud Aviation in 1970. The type was also built by variouslicensed manufacturers such asHindustan Aeronautics Limited in India (asHAL Chetak), byIndustria Aeronautică Română in Romania (asIAR 316), and byEidgenössisches Flugzeugwerk in Switzerland (asF+W Emmen).
Similar to the Alouette II, in military service, it was used to perform missions such asaerial observation andphotography,air-sea rescue, communication liaison,transport, and training. It could also be armed withanti-tank missiles, anti-shiptorpedoes, and a fixedcannon. In a civilian capacity, the helicopter was commonly used forcasualty evacuation (often fitted with a pair of external stretcher panniers),crop spraying, personnel transportation, and for carrying other external loads.
By the 2010s, many operators were in the process of drawing down their fleets and replacing them with more modern types; theFrench Armed Forces intended to replace their Alouette IIIs with the newly developedAirbus Helicopters H160 and theIndian Armed Forces with theHAL Dhruvs.
The Alouette III has its origins with an earlier helicopter design by French aircraft manufacturerSud-Est, theSE 3120 Alouette, which, while breaking several helicopter speed and distance records in July 1953, was deemed to have been too complex to be realistic commercial product.[1][2] Having received financial backing from the French government, which had taken an official interest in the venture, the earlier design was used as a starting point for a new rotorcraft that would harness the newly developedturboshaft engine; only a few years prior,Joseph Szydlowski, the founder ofTurbomeca, had successfully managed to develop theArtouste, a 260 hp (190 kW) single shaft turbine engine derived from hisOrédon turbine engine. An improved version of this engine was combined with the revised design to quickly produce a new helicopter, initially known as theSE 3130 Alouette II.[1][3][4]
During April 1956, the first production Alouette II was completed, becoming the first production turbine-powered helicopter in the world.[1] The innovative light helicopter soon broke several world records and became a commercial success.[5][6] As a result of the huge demand for the Alouette II, manufacturer Sud Aviation took a great interest in the development of derivatives, as well as the more general ambition of embarking on further advancement in the field of rotorcraft.[7]
In accordance with these goals, the company decided to commit itself to a new development programme with the aim of developing a more powerful helicopter that would be capable of accommodating up to 7 seats or a pair ofstretchers. The design team was managed by Frenchaerospace engineerRené Mouille.[7][8][9] The design produced, designated as the "SE 3160", featured several improvements over the Alouette II; efforts were made to provide for a higher level of external visibility for the pilot as well as for greater aerodynamic efficiency via the adoption of a highlystreamlined exterior.[7]
On 28 February 1959, the first prototype SE 3160 performed itsmaiden flight, piloted by French aviatorJean Boulet.[7][8] Shortly thereafter, the SE 3160 would become more commonly known as the Alouette III. During its flight test programme, the prototype demonstrated its high altitude capabilities on several occasions; in June 1959, it landed at an altitude of over 4,000 metres in theMont Blanc mountain range and, during October 1960, it was able to achieve the same feat at an altitude more than 6,000 metres in theHimalayas. During these attempts, it was flown by Jean Boulet, who was accompanied by a pair of passengers and 250 kg of equipment.[7]
During 1961, the initial SE 3160 model of the type entered serial production.[7] On 15 December 1961, the Alouette III received itsairworthiness certificate, clearing it to enter operational service. Despite an order placed by theFrench Army for an initial batch of 50 Alouette IIIs during June 1961, the first two customers of the rotorcraft were in fact export sales, having been sold outside of France.[7] The Alouette III was specifically designed to fly at high altitudes, as such, it quickly earned a reputation for its favourable characteristics during rescue operations. According to its manufacturer, it was the first helicopter to present an effective multi-mission capability and performance to match with its diverse mission range in both civil or military circles.[7]
The SE 3160 model continued to be produced until 1968, when it was replaced by the refined "SA 316B" model.[7] (After its production ended, the SE 3160 has sometimes been retroactively redesignated "SA 316A", but its original SE 3160 designation is more commonly used, especially in older sources.) Both the SE 3160 and the SA 316B were powered by a more powerful version of the Artouste engine, the Artouste IIIB, whose turbine was rated to produce 858 horsepower (640 kW), though because of the limits of the engine's reduction gearbox, the Artouste IIIB was de-rated to generate 563 horsepower (420 kW) in service. The later "SA 319B" variant adopted the more fuel-efficientTurbomeca Astazou XIVB engine, extending its range and endurance; on 10 July 1967, the Astazou-powered Alouette III performed its first flight.[7] During 1979, the 1,437th Alouette III departed from the company's assembly line inMarignane, France, after which the main production line was closed down as a consequence of diminishing demand for the type. During 1985, the final French-produced Alouette III was delivered.[7] It had been produced from 1961 to 1985 in France, however, license production continued.[10]
Despite the closure of Aérospatiale 's own production line, the event was not the end of the type's manufacturing activity. Over 500 Alouette IIIs are recorded as having been manufactured under licence abroad in several countries, such as Romania, India, and Switzerland.[7][11] Various versions of the Alouette III were also either licence-built or otherwise assembled by IAR in Romania (as theIAR 316), F+W Emmen (de) in Switzerland, byFokker and Lichtwerk in theNetherlands, and in India as the HAL Chetak.[7][12] The Romanian IAR 316, was an Aérospatiale SA 316B Alouette III license produced from 1971 to 1987, with 250 made with about half for Romania and half for export.[13] Additionally, Romania also developed the IAR 317 Airfox, an attack helicopter version of the IAR 316;at least one prototype was made and was debuted at the 1985Paris Air Show.[14]
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) obtained a licence to construct the Alouette III, which was known locally as theChetak, at their own production facilities in India.[7] More than 300 units were built by HAL; the company has continued to independently update and indigenise the helicopter over the decades. A modernised variant of the Chetak has remained production, though at a diminished volume, into the 21st century. The latest HAL Chetak was delivered in 2021, and also included updated avionics.[11] Over 350 Chetak had been produced the 2020s.[15]
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TheArgentine Naval Aviation operated a total of 14 Alouette III helicopters. A single SA316B was on board theARA General Belgrano when she was sunk bytorpedoes fired byHMS Conqueror during the 1982Falklands War with the United Kingdom. A second Alouette III played an important role during the ArgentineInvasion of South Georgia. On 2 December 2010, the last example was retired at a ceremony held at BANComandante Espora,Bahía Blanca.[16][17]
Between April 1964 and 1967, a small batch of Alouette IIIs were delivered from France in a disassembled state to Australia. Following their assembly, these were used by theRoyal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at theWoomera Rocket Range for light passenger transport purpose and to assist in the recovery of missile parts in the aftermath of test launches conducted at the Range.[18]
Between 1967-69 Austria acquired 12 SE3160 Alouette IIIs, which were upgraded to version SE316B. They are used for liaison and transport purposes and still play a vital role in rescue missions in the high mountains of Austria with their side-mounted hook. They are stationed inAigen im Ennstal,Klagenfurt andSchwaz in Tirol.[19] Austria planned to decommission them beginning in 2023, and they were to be replaced by the Leonardo AW169M.[20] In addition to the original order, three more used Alouette III were acquired from other forces to replace attrition.[21]
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Indian civilian authorities and theIndian Air Force donated aDC-3 Dakota, aTwin Otter, and a Alouette III helicopter to theBangladesh Air Force, during theBangladesh Liberation War in 1971.[22] The aircraft were engaged to take advantage of the lack of night-fighting capability of thePakistan Air Force, and to launch hit-and-run attacks on sensitive targets inside East Pakistan.[23] The Alouette helicopter was extensively modified with a 1 in (25 mm) steel plate welded to its floor for extra protection, and fitted with 14 rockets from pylons attached to its side and.303 Browning machine guns. The helicopter was operated by a three member crew consisting of Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmood, Flight Lieutenant Bodiul Alam, and Captain Shahabuddin, all of whom were awarded heBir Uttam gallantry award.[citation needed]
During 1977, theChilean Navy ordered a batch of ten SA-319Bs. These rotorcraft, which were delivered by the middle of 1978, were only made operational just before the peak of theBeagle conflict between Chile and neighbouring Argentina. The Alouette III was the first real organic maritime ship borne tactical helicopter to be operated by Chile's naval forces; for this role, they were equipped with a radar and armed with rockets, guns, depth charges and a single light anti-submarine torpedo.[citation needed]
During the frantic training period in 1978 to meet wartime needs, a sole SA-319B was accidentally damaged, leading to it being placed in storage and subsequently repaired back to an airworthy condition years later. All ten Chilean Navy SA-319Bs were operational and in excellent conditions by the end of the 1980s, shortly after which they were replaced by larger SA532 Super Puma helicopters, and were bought by civilian operators.[citation needed]
Between 1962 and 1967, a total of 8 Alouette IIIs were delivered to theRoyal Danish Navy. They were primarily tasked with SAR and reconnaissance in support of the navy's Arctic patrol ships. During 1982, they were replaced by a batch of BritishWestland Lynx.[24]
During early 1960, the Alouette III officially entered squadron service with the French armed forces. In June 1971, having been suitably impressed by the type's performance so far, the French Army elected to order a force of 50 Alouette IIIs for their own purposes.[citation needed] Amongst the most noteworthy uses that France applied the type to was the first use of helicopter-basedanti-tank missiles in the form of theNord AS.11MCLOSwire-guided missile.[25]
During June 1960, an Alouette III carrying seven people successfully performed both take-offs and landings onMont Blanc in theFrench Alps at an altitude of 4,810 metres (15,780 feet), an unprecedented altitude for such activities by a helicopter at the time.[26] 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 apayload of 250 kg (551 lbs) in theHimalayas at an altitude of 6,004 metres (19,698 feet).[26]
During June 2004, the Alouette III was retired from the French Air Force after 32 years of successful service, having been entirely replaced by the newer twin-enginedEurocopter EC 355 Ecureuil 2. The French Army also withdrew the last of their examples during 2013 in favour of more modern rotorcraft such as theAirbus Helicopters H160.[27]
By 2017, the French Navy were still using the Alouette III in a reduced capacity, nonetheless being used to routinely conduct both Search and Rescue and logistics missions.[28] Since the 1970s, the type has gradually been supplanted by the largerEurocopter AS365 Dauphin, and later on, by the specialisedEurocopter AS565 Panther as an anti-submarine warfare platform. The use of twin-engined rotorcraft in the maritime environment has become somewhat of an expected standard, one which the single-engined Alouette III cannot satisfy, putting the type at an obvious disadvantage.[27] During January 2018, it was announced that the French Navy would be replacing its remaining Alouette IIIs with rentedAérospatiale SA 330 Pumas as a stop-gap measure; this decision was reportedly taken due to its increasing unreliability, rapidly inflating operating costs, and the sheer age of the fleet.[27][29] However, as of 2021 the Alouette III was still reported to be in service.[30] The aircraft was finally withdrawn from French Navy service in June 2022.[31] It had been in service for 60 years and was in active use right to the end, with the last three ending their service at the end of December.[32] The aircraft was long known for ease of maintenance, which aided its use overseas, however and the end of its life it was requiring increasing maintenance hours and it was becoming hard to get spare parts which were no longer in production. The aircraft was still be used for training, interdiction missions, and shorter range mission.[32]
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During 1963, the first pair of Alouette IIIs were delivered to theIrish Air Corps; a third rotorcraft arrived in 1964 and a batch of five further aircraft were delivered between 1972 and 1974. The service ultimately operated a total of eight Alouette IIIs between 1963 and 2007; throughout much of this period, they were the only helicopters operated by the Corps.[citation needed]
On 21 September 2007, the Alouette III was formally retired from the Irish Air Corps during a ceremony held atBaldonnel Aerodrome. 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 1,717search-and-rescue missions, saving 542 lives and flew a further 2,882air ambulance flights. The oldest of the Alouettes, 195, is kept in 'rotors running' condition for the Air Corps Museum.[33]
Under a licensing arrangement between Aérospatiale and HAL, the Alouette III was built by HAL and was known asHAL Chetak. HAL manufactured more than 350 of these, the majority of these were acquired by theIndian Armed Forces. The helicopters were used to perform various mission roles, including training, transport,casualty evacuation, communications and liaison roles.[34] After theGovernment of India constituted theIndian Army Aviation Corps in 1986, majority of the Chetaks previously operated by the Indian Air Force were transferred to theIndian Army on 1 November 1986. The Air Force continued to fly a limited number of armed Chetaks for evacuation and attack missions.[34] The Chetaks were widely used in India's armed conflicts and multinational operations such asOperation Khukri in 2000.[35]
During the 2010s, the Chetak was replaced by theHAL Dhruv in the armed forces, and the Chetaks were widely used for training, and light utility roles.[36] In 2013, HAL unveiled a new variant, named asHAL Chetan, which included an upgraded HAL/Turbomecca TM 333-2M2 Shakti engine.[37] In 2017, theIndian Navy initiated plans for procuring a replacement for the type.[38] However, an additional contract for eight helicopters were signed in 2017,[39] the last of which was delivered in 2021.[11]
In the 1970s, Chetak helicopters were decorated with animal motifs and presented at the annual Republic day parades. The helicopters decorated like elephants have become iconic in India, and known as names such as "dancing elephant helicopters" and "flying elephants".[40][41]
HAL also exported the Chetak helicopters to nations such as Namibia and Suriname.[42] India also donated helicopters to other countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal.[43]
TheIndonesian Army Aviation received seven Alouette III in 1969, replacing theirMil Mi-4 which were grounded due to lack of spare parts.[44] Their first combat operations was mopping up theSarawak communist insurgents in Riam Sejawak,West Kalimantan Province.[45] The Indonesian Army sent three Alouette III to participate in theIndonesian invasion of East Timor in 1975 and its subsequent counter-guerilla operations, performing combat search-and-rescue and reconnaissance roles.[46] In 2003, the Indonesian Army still has a single operational Alouette III.[47]
During the early 1960s the Alouette III replaced theHiller OH-23 Raven of theNetherlands Armed Forces.[48]Later it also replaced the Alouette IIs of theRoyal Netherlands Air Force.[48] A total of 77 Alouette IIIs were ordered in batches over the years, with 27 being built in license by NV Lichtwerk inHoogeveen.[48] The Alouette III served for 51 years in the Netherlands Armed Force before being retired in 2016.[48]
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During the 1960s, Pakistan purchased a fleet of 35 Alouette III helicopters to equip thePakistan Air Force (PAF). These saw active combat during theIndo-Pakistani War of 1971, in which the type was mainly used for liaison and VIP-transport missions. In 2010, it was announced that Switzerland had come to an agreement with Pakistan for a number of ex-Swiss Alouette IIIs to be donated to the PAF; however, the terms of this agreement restricts their usage to performing search and rescue and disaster relief operations. Pakistan Navy started operating Alouette III helicopters in 1977. The helicopters are still in service and have a long history of flying laurels.[49]
Portugal was the first country to use the Alouette III in combat. In 1963, during theOverseas Wars inAngola,Mozambique andPortuguese Guinea, Portugal began using Alouette IIIs in combat, mainly inair assault andmedevac operations, where it proved its qualities. Besides the basic transport version (code namedcanibal, plural canibais), Portugal used a special version of the Alouette III with aMG 151 20 mmautocannon mounted in the rear in order to fire from the left side door; it was designatedhelicanhão (heli-cannon) and code namedlobo mau (big bad wolf).
In the Overseas Wars, the Portuguese usually launched air assaults with groups of six or seven Alouette III: five or sixcanibais – each usually carrying fiveparatroopers orcommandos – and alobo mau heli-cannon. The Portuguese practice was for the troops to jump from thecanibais when the helicopters were hovering two-three metres above the ground – famous images of these disembarking troops became an iconic image of the war. The landing of the troops was covered by thelobo mau. While the troops performed the ground assault, thecanibais moved away from the combat zone, while thelobo mau stayed to provide fire support, destroying enemy resistance and concentration points with the fire from its 20 mm autocannon. Once the ground combat had finished, thecanibais returned; firstly to collect the wounded, then the rest of the troops.
In April 2020, the last of Portugal's SE3160 Alouette IIIs were withdrawn from service, the type having been replaced by fiveAgustaWestland AW119 Koala.[50][51]
In 1977, theRepublic of Korea Navy started operating 12 Alouette IIIs.[52] It was typically dispatched aboard several destroyers in an anti-submarine capacity. On 13 August 1983, the Republic of Korea Navy discovered a naval vessel of theKorean People's Army that had entering their sea. A single Alouette III engaged the spy ship and destroyed it using anAS.12 missile;[52] following the mission, the specific helicopter involved received avictory marking, which was the only aircraft to receive such a mark in the entireRepublic of Korea Armed Forces. The Alouette III was also operated as a rescue helicopter, responding to major incidents such as the crash ofAsiana Airlines Flight 733 inMokpo,Republic of Korea, on 26 July 1993.
Following the introduction of theWestland Lynx during the early 1990s, the Alouette IIIs were diverted to secondary roles, such as training, and were gradually phased out of service. A substantial number were withdrawn in 2006. South Korea's remaining Alouette IIIs were withdrawn from service in December 2019.[52]
The nation ofRhodesia emerged as a prolific user of both the Alouette II and its enlarged sibling, the Alouette III.[53] Early operations were flown with an emphasis on its use by theRhodesian Army andBritish South Africa Police, includingparamilitary and aerial reconnaissance operations. Throughout the 1960s, the type progressively spread into additional roles, includingaerial supply,casualty evacuation, communications relays, and troop-transports.[54] Rhodesian aerial operations would typically involve flying under relatively high and hot conditions, which reduced the efficiency of aircraft in general; however, the Alouette II proved to be both hardy and relatively resistant to battle damage.[55] In order to extend the inadequate range of the type, fuel caches were strategically deployed across the country to be used for refuelling purposes.[54]
At its peak, No. 7 Squadron of the Rhodesian Air Force operated a force of 34 Alouette IIIs, which would normally operate in conjunction with a smaller number of Alouette IIs. They played a major part in the Rhodesian Forces'Fireforce doctrine, in which they would rapidly deploy ground troops, function as aerial observation and command posts, and provide mobile fire support as armed gunships.[56] In order to improve performance, Rhodesia's Alouette fleet was subject to extensive modifications during its service life, including changes to their refueling apparatus, gun sights, and cabin fittings, along with the installation of additional armouring and armaments.[57]
Over time, theRhodesian Security Forces developed an innovative deployment tactic of rapidly encircling and enveloping enemies, known as theFireforce, for which the Alouette II was a core component.[53] The quick-reaction Fireforce battalions were typically centred atCentenary andMount Darwin; however, a deliberate emphasis was placed on locating both rotorcraft and troops as close to a current or anticipated theatre of operations as would be feasibly possible.[58]
The Alouette III served for over 44 years in theSouth African Air Force (SAAF); it is believed that 121 examples were acquired between 1962 and 1975 for the service from France.[59] During 1966, by which point the SAAF had built up a fleet of around 50 Alouette IIIs already, it was decided to dispatch several of the type to support ground troops stationed inSouth West Africa attempting to contain the emergingSouth West African People's Organisation (SWAPO); this would be the beginnings of what would become the lengthySouth African Border War.[59] The type saw considerable action during the conflict; while initially used for more passive operations such asaerial reconnaissance, from July 1967 onwards, Alouette III participated in active combat missions as well. It was frequently employed as a support platform for performing South African counterstrike operations inside neighbouringNamibia andAngola.[60] Reportedly, a total of eight Alouette IIIs had been listed as having been lost over the conflict zone by the end of the war.[59]
By 1990, there were a total of 70 Alouette III helicopters remaining in active service.[59] Throughout the course of its service life with the SAAF, the Alouette III fleet was recorded as having accumulated more than 346,000 flight hours. During June 2006, the last Alouette III was officially withdrawn from SAAF service at a ceremony held atAFB Swartkop, nearPretoria.[60]
During January 2013, reports emerged that South African defense officials were in the process of planning to transfer some of the retired fleet, along with spare parts and associated support equipment, to theZimbabwean Air Force; South African newspaperMail & Guardian claimed that the rotorcraft could be used to sway politics in the nation in favour of the incumbentPresident,Robert Mugabe.[61] However, during February 2013, an interimcourt order was issued which blocked the proposed sale of South African Alouette IIIs to Zimbabwe.[62] In February 2014, reports emerged that South Africa now intended to sell part of the ex-SAAF fleet toNamibia instead.[63]
During 1986, the South American country of Suriname purchased a pair of secondhand Alouette III helicopters from Portugal. During 1999, theSurinam Air Force opted to retire and sell off its Alouette III helicopters. In their place, three newly built HAL Chetaks (an Indian version of the Alouette IIIs) were delivered to the Suriname Air Force on 13 March 2015, while the pilots and technicians of the Surinam Air Force underwent training on the type in Bangalore, India for some time.[64][65][66]
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During 1964, theSwiss Air Force opted to procure a batch of nine Alouette III rotorcraft directly from Aérospatiale; further orders included one placed in 1966 for 15 more. In addition, a total of 60 SA-316Bs (often referred to as theF+W Alouette IIIS) were licence-assembled byF+W Emmen in Switzerland.[citation needed]
During 2004, theSwiss Armed Forces announced the expected withdrawal of the Alouette III from front-line service would commence by 2006 and that it was to be entirely retired by 2010; they have been replaced by a smaller force of 20 new-builtEurocopter EC635s.[67] Since their retirement, at least 10 ex-Swiss Alouettes have been gifted to Pakistan to perform search and rescue operations.[49]
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Data fromJane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77[135]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
1959: SA3160/ SA316/ SA319 B "Alouette III".
1959: SA3160/ SA316/ SA319 B "Alouette III".
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