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Aircraft / Utility helicopters / Alouette III

Alouette III

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Utility helicopter

  • ORIGIN
    France

  • NICKNAMES
    SE-3160 (prototype designation)
    Chetak (Indian production)
    IAR-316 (Romanian production)
    G-Car & K-Car (Rhodesian gunship conversions)

  • DESIGNED
    1958 - 1960

  • DESIGNER
    Sud Aviation

  • PRODUCTION
    1961 - 1968 (SA.316A)
    1971 - 1980's (Romanian production)
    ? - 1991 (Indian production)

  • PRODUCERS
    France - Aérospatiale
    India - HAL
    Romania - ICA
    Switzerland

  • QUANTITY
    France: 1453
    India: 322
    Romania: 230
    Switzerland: 60

  • UNIT COST
    Unknown

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Larger internal volume than Alouette II
    Limited production costs
    Good maneuverability
    Limited cargo capacity

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.

Layout

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 aerodymaic with the gearbox, fuel drums and tail fully enclosed. The large glass cockpit provides good visability 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

The cabin allows for six troops or two strechers 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

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.
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
Chetak: Indian production SA.316B. Some are fitted with rails for SS.11 anti-tank missiles.

TypeUtility helicopter
Crew1 + 6 (pilot, 6 troops)
Lenght10.03 m fuselage
Width?
Height3.00 m
Weight1.14 t empty, 2.20 t MTOW
RotorsThree blade main rotor, three blade tail rotor
Diameter11.02 m main rotor, 1.91 m tail rotor
Disc area95 m2 main, 2.9 m2 tail
Chord?
Powerplant1x Turbomeca Artouste IIIB turboshaft, 870 hp derated to 570 hp
Speed210 km/h max, 185 km/h cruise
Range540 km
Fuel?
Climb rate4.3 m/s
Ceiling3.2 km
Endurance?
Landing gearNon-retractable tricycle, all single wheels, 2.60 m track
ArmorNone
Cargo6 troops
2 stretchers
0.75 t cargo
AvionicsStandard flight controls
Self defenseNone
Remarks-
Weapon systems-
Fixed weapons-
Hardpoints-
Option 1-
Option 2-
Option 3-
Option 4-
Option 5-
Option 6-
Option 7-
Option 8-
TypeUtility helicopter
Crew1 + 6 (pilot, 6 troops)
Lenght12.84 m rotors turning, 10.03 m fuselage
Width?
Height3.00 m
Weight1.14 t empty, 2.25 t MTOW
RotorsThree blade main rotor, three blade tail rotor
Diameter11.02 m main rotor, 1.91 m tail rotor
Disc area95 m2 main, 2.9 m2 tail
Chord?
Powerplant1x Turboméca Astazou XIV turboshaft, 870 hp derated to 600 hp
Speed220 km/h max at sea level, 197 km/h cruise
Range605 km with six passengers
Fuel575 L
Climb rate4.5 m/s
Ceiling3.1 km, 1.7 km out of ground effect
Endurance?
Landing gearNon-retractable tricycle, all single wheels, 2.60 m track
ArmorNone
Cargo6 troops
2 stretchers
0.75 t cargo
AvionicsStandard flight controls
Self defenseNone
Remarks-
Weapon systems-
Fixed weapons-
Hardpoints-
Option 1-
Option 2-
Option 3-
Option 4-
Option 5-
Option 6-
Option 7-
Option 8-

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