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Aérospatiale Alouette III


Chetak | IAR-316


Overview

Alouette III

A Swiss air force SA.316A with skis mounted on the landing gear for landing on snow.
Source: Arnaud Gaillard - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

Origin
France
Type
Utility helicopter
Entered service
1961
Status
In service
Development
1958 - 1960
Developer
France - Sud Aviation
Production
1961 - 1991
Producer
France - Aérospatiale
India - HAL
Romania - ICA
Switzerland - F+W Emmen
Number produced
France: 1.453
India: 322
Romania: 230
Switzerland: 60
Designations
SE-3160 (prototype designation)
Chetak (Indian production)
IAR-316 (Romanian production)
G-Car & K-Car (Rhodesian gunship conversions)

Description

Introduction

The Alouette III is an utility helicopter of French origin. It was developed in the late 1950's as a follow on to the successful Alouette II. The Alouette III is quite different from its predecessor with its larger cabin, more aerodynamic shape and tricycle landing gear.

Design

The Alouette III is mechanically very similar to the Alouette II. The frame has been strengthened to mount a more powerful turboshaft engine and larger cabin. The shape is much more aerodynamic with the gearbox, fuel drums and tail fully enclosed. The large glass cockpit provides good visibility which is very useful for reconnaissance and SAR duties. The tricycle landing gear is not retractable.

Firepower

The vast majority of Alouette III are unarmed, although some armed versions were produced. A number of Romanian IAR-316 have been produced with stub wings for a total of six AT-3 Sagger anti-tank missiles and four 12 or 4 round rocket pods. The South African G-Car was fitted with two M1919 machine guns and the K-Car had a 20mm MG151 autocannon in the cabin firing port side. A number of Indian Chetak is fitted with a total of four rails for AS.11 missiles.

Cargo capacity

The cabin allows for six troops or two stretchers and two sitting patients. Alternatively 750 kg of cargo can be carried. A cargo hook allows the same amount to be carried below the helicopter.

Mobility

The Alouette III has a maximum speed of 220 km/h and a range of just over 600 km with six passengers. The ceiling is 3.2 km and 1.7 km out of ground effect. The Alouette III is also known for its maneuverability and good hot and high performance.

Users

Large numbers of Alouette III have been produced and the type saw service in over 60 nations. It was most common in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Alouette III remains in service, although in most Western nations and various others it has been replaced by newer types of helicopters.

Variants

Alouette III

A French navy Alouette III utility helicopter chained to the deck of a frigate.
Source: Jean-Michel Roche (www.netmarine.net) - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

List of production models

SA.316A
First production version of the Alouette III. Original designation was SE-3160.
SA.316B
Improved SA.316A with uprated main and tail rotor transmission and more powerful Artouste IIIB engine.
SA.316C
SA.316B with Artouste IIID engine, only a few produced.
SA.319B
SA.316B with Astazou XIV engine. Since there are no other SA.319 models the B suffix is often left away.
Chetak
Indian production SA.316B. Some are fitted with rails for SS.11 anti-tank missiles.
IAR-316B
The IAR-316 is the Romanian licence production SA.316B. A number of IAR-316 was fitted with stub wings for anti-tank missiles and rocket pods.

Details

Facts SA.316B SA.319
General
Origin
France
Type
Utility helicopter
Crew
1 pilot + 6 passengers
Dimensions
Length
10.03 m fuselage
Height
3.00 m
Empty weight
1.05 t
Max takeoff weight
2.20 t
Propulsion
Powerplant
1x Turbomeca Artouste IIIB turboshaft
Power output
870 hp derated to 570 hp
Rotor setup
Three blade main rotor
Three blade tail rotor
Diameter
11.02 m main rotor
1.91 m tail rotor
Disc area
95 m² main rotor
2.9 m² tail rotor
Performance
Max speed
210 km/h
Cruise speed
185 km/h
Range
540 km
Ceiling
3.2 km
1.7 km out of ground effect
Climb rate
4.3 m/s
Armament
Hardpoints
Optional single hardpoint on either side of fuselage
Fixed gun
Optional pintle mounted machine gun
Transport capacity
Passengers
6 passengers or 2 stretchers
Cargo capacity
0.75 t
Hoist
Optional

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