AÉROSPATIALE SA-316B/ VSV/ -319B ALOUETTE III
Alouette III belonging to the 10S squadron seen at St-Mandrier. (Damian Allard)
 

TRAINING AND TRANSPORT HELICOPTER

 

HISTORY

The reliability and the commercial success of the Alouette II encouraged Sud-Aviation to study a new version of the machine. A more powerful engine and a more aerodynamics airframe were the most important improvements. As a result, maximum payload and performances were improved. Few equipments were replaced by Sud-Aviation. First called, SE-3160, the prototype of the Alouette III had a more spacious cockpit able to accommodate six passengers or six soldiers and one pilot. For medevac missions, two stretchers can be installed and passenger seats can be removed. Maximum payload is about 750 kg. The Alouette III made its first flight on February 28th 1956 and the production began in 1961. First serial version, the SA-316A, was built for French and International markets, it was also built under license by Hindustan Aeronautics. The second one, the SA-316B first flew on June 27th 1968 and became the most built version. It was equipped with various improvements such as a new Artouste IIIB turboshaft. The last Artouste-equipped version of the Alouette is the SA-316C which was not a great success. The SA-316B was built under license in Switzerland (84 examples) and in Romania by IC-Brasov. 1, 453 airframes of the SA-316B and SA-319B were built.

Thirty-seven helicopters (SA-316B, SA-316B VSV and SA-319B) have been ordered for the French navy. They have been allocated to the 34F (1974-1979), 35F (since 1975), 20S (1962-1991), 22S (since 1964) and 23S (1963-1999). The Alouette N°997 belonging to the 22S is equipped with an OMERA ORB-32 radar. At present, all different versions are flown by the 22S based at NAS Lanvéoc-Poulmic, the 10S based at Hyères and the 35F squadron based at NAS Saint-Mandrier. They are used for SAR missions (they were used as Pedro role until AS-365F Dauphins replaced them), transport and training missions. In the 1970's, they were also used as ASW until Lynx WG-13s replaced them in this role. A naval version of the Eurocopter EC-120 or EC-135 will be acquired to replace the Alouette III around 2003.
Artouste XIV set up on SA-319B Alouette III. (Damian Allard)
Artouste IIIA set up on SA-316B Alouette III. (Damian Allard)

SA-319B Alouette III N° 997 belonging to the 22S and equipped with an OMERA ORB-32 radar. (Damian Allard)

Cockpit of SA-319B VSV. (Y. Fauconnier)
Cockpit of SA-319B. (Y. Fauconnier)

SPECIFICATIONS
(US)
(FR)
LENGTH
33 ft 4 in
10. 2 m
ROTOR DIAMETER
36 ft 1 in
11 m
HEIGHT
9 ft 9 in
2. 9 m
WEIGHTS
2 436 lb (empty)/ 4 630 lb (full)
1 105 kg (empty)/ 2 100 kg (full)
MAX SPEED
136 mph
220 km/ h
RANGE
325 nm
605 km
POWER
600 shp
447 kW

EQUIPMENTS
  • A 25 m winch withstanding 175 kg.
  • Sling until 750 kg.
  • Tacan, Doppler, Automatic Pilot (VSV only)
  • Radio-compass (SA-319B).

 

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