Aérospatiale Alouette III

The Aérospatiale Alouette III (, Lark; company designations SA 316 and SA 319) is a single-engine, light utility helicopter developed by French aircraft company Sud 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 successful Alouette 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 the SA 315B Lama, which entered operational service during July 1971. The Alouette III was principally manufactured by Aérospatiale, after its take over of Sud Aviation in 1970. The type was also built by various licensed manufacturers such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in India (as HAL Chetak), by Industria Aeronautică Română in Romania (as IAR 316), and by Eidgenössisches Flugzeugwerk in Switzerland (as F+W Emmen).

Similar to the Alouette II, in military service, it was used to perform missions such as aerial observation and photography, air-sea rescue, communication liaison, transport, and training. It could also be armed with anti-tank missiles, anti-ship torpedoes, and a fixed cannon. In a civilian capacity, the helicopter was commonly used for casualty 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; the French Armed Forces intended to replace their Alouette IIIs with the newly developed Airbus Helicopters H160 and the Indian Armed Forces with the HAL Dhruvs.

Development

Origins

The Alouette III has its origins with an earlier helicopter design by French aircraft manufacturer Sud-Est, the SE 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. 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 developed turboshaft engine; only a few years prior, Joseph Szydlowski, the founder of Turbomeca, had successfully managed to develop the Artouste, a single shaft turbine engine derived from his Orédon turbine engine. An improved version of this engine was combined with the revised design to quickly produce a new helicopter, initially known as the SE 3130 Alouette II.

During April 1956, the first production Alouette II was completed, becoming the first production turbine-powered helicopter in the world. 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. 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 highly streamlined exterior. 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 the Mont Blanc mountain range and, during October 1960, it was able to achieve the same feat at an altitude more than 6,000 metres in the Himalayas. During these attempts, it was flown by Jean Boulet, who was accompanied by a pair of passengers and 250 kg of equipment.

Overseas production

thumb|The HAL Chetak (Alouette III) remained in production to 2021, and in 2022 marked six decades of service in India

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. 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. 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 1985 Paris Air Show.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) obtained a licence to construct the Alouette III, which was known locally as the Chetak, at their own production facilities in India.

Operational history

Argentina

thumb|Argentine Navy Alouette III onboard corvette ARA Rosales

The Argentine Naval Aviation operated a total of 14 Alouette III helicopters. A single SA316B was on board the when she was sunk by torpedoes fired by during the 1982 Falklands War with the United Kingdom. A second Alouette III played an important role during the Argentine Invasion of South Georgia. On 2 December 2010, the last example was retired at a ceremony held at BAN Comandante Espora, Bahía Blanca.

Australia

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 the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at the Woomera 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.

Austria

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 in Aigen im Ennstal, Klagenfurt and Schwaz in Tirol. Austria planned to decommission them beginning in 2023, and they were to be replaced by the Leonardo AW169M. In addition to the original order, three more used Alouette III were acquired from other forces to replace attrition.

Bangladesh

thumb|Alouette III was the first helicopter of the [[Bangladesh Air Force, during the Bangladesh Liberation War (1971)]]

Indian civilian authorities and the Indian Air Force donated a DC-3 Dakota, a Twin Otter, and a Alouette III helicopter to the Bangladesh Air Force, during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. The aircraft were engaged to take advantage of the lack of night-fighting capability of the Pakistan Air Force, and to launch hit-and-run attacks on sensitive targets inside East Pakistan. The Alouette helicopter was extensively modified with a 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 he Bir Uttam gallantry award.

Chile

During 1977, the Chilean 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 the Beagle 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.

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.

Denmark

Between 1962 and 1967, a total of 8 Alouette IIIs were delivered to the Royal 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 British Westland Lynx.

France

thumb|Alouette III with [[SS.11|Nord AS.11 missiles]]

thumb|French Navy SA 319B Alouette III (with Astazou engine) on the [[frigate La Motte-Picquet]]

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. Amongst the most noteworthy uses that France applied the type to was the first use of helicopter-based anti-tank missiles in the form of the Nord AS.11 MCLOS wire-guided missile.

During June 1960, an Alouette III carrying seven people successfully performed both take-offs and landings on Mont Blanc in the French Alps at an altitude of 4,810 metres (15,780 feet), an unprecedented altitude for such activities by a helicopter at the time. The same helicopter again demonstrated the types 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 metres (19,698 feet).

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. Since the 1970s, the type has gradually been supplanted by the larger Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, and later on, by the specialised Eurocopter 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. However, as of 2021 the Alouette III was still reported to be in service. The aircraft was finally withdrawn from French Navy service in June 2022. 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. 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.

India

thumb|Chetak of the [[Indian Navy in 2016]]

Under a licensing arrangement between Aérospatiale and HAL, the Alouette III was built by HAL and was known as HAL Chetak. HAL manufactured more than 350 of these, the majority of these were acquired by the Indian Armed Forces. The helicopters were used to perform various mission roles, including training, transport, casualty evacuation, communications and liaison roles. The Chetaks were widely used in India's armed conflicts and multinational operations such as Operation Khukri in 2000.

During the 2010s, the Chetak was replaced by the HAL Dhruv in the armed forces, and the Chetaks were widely used for training, and light utility roles. In 2013, HAL unveiled a new variant, named as HAL Chetan, which included an upgraded HAL/Turbomecca TM 333-2M2 Shakti engine. In 2017, the Indian Navy initiated plans for procuring a replacement for the type. However, an additional contract for eight helicopters were signed in 2017, the last of which was delivered in 2021.

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".

HAL also exported the Chetak helicopters to nations such as Namibia and Suriname. India also donated helicopters to other countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal.

Indonesia

The Indonesian Army Aviation received seven Alouette III in 1969, replacing their Mil Mi-4 which were grounded due to lack of spare parts. Their first combat operations was mopping up the Sarawak communist insurgents in Riam Sejawak, West Kalimantan Province. The Indonesian Army sent three Alouette III to participate in the Indonesian invasion of East Timor in 1975 and its subsequent counter-guerilla operations, performing combat search-and-rescue and reconnaissance roles. In 2003, the Indonesian Army still has a single operational Alouette III.

Later it also replaced the Alouette IIs of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Republic of Korea

thumb|South Korean Aérospatiale SA 319B Alouette III

In 1977, the Republic of Korea Navy started operating 12 Alouette IIIs.

Rhodesia

The nation of Rhodesia emerged as a prolific user of both the Alouette II and its enlarged sibling, the Alouette III. Early operations were flown with an emphasis on its use by the Rhodesian Army and British South Africa Police, including paramilitary and aerial reconnaissance operations. Throughout the 1960s, the type progressively spread into additional roles, including aerial supply, casualty evacuation, communications relays, and troop-transports. 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. In order to extend the inadequate range of the type, fuel caches were strategically deployed across the country to be used for refuelling purposes. 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.

Over time, the Rhodesian Security Forces developed an innovative deployment tactic of rapidly encircling and enveloping enemies, known as the Fireforce, for which the Alouette II was a core component.

South Africa

thumb|A flight of four Alouette IIIs performing an [[aerobatic display]]

The Alouette III served for over 44 years in the South African Air Force (SAAF); it is believed that 121 examples were acquired between 1962 and 1975 for the service from France. 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 in South West Africa attempting to contain the emerging South West African People's Organisation (SWAPO); this would be the beginnings of what would become the lengthy South African Border War.

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 the Zimbabwean Air Force; South African newspaper Mail & Guardian claimed that the rotorcraft could be used to sway politics in the nation in favour of the incumbent President, Robert Mugabe. However, during February 2013, an interim court order was issued which blocked the proposed sale of South African Alouette IIIs to Zimbabwe. In February 2014, reports emerged that South Africa now intended to sell part of the ex-SAAF fleet to Namibia instead.

Suriname

During 1986, the South American country of Suriname purchased a pair of secondhand Alouette III helicopters from Portugal. During 1999, the Surinam 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.

Switzerland

thumb|Formation flight of 10 Alouette IIIs, 2010

During 1964, the Swiss 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 the F+W Alouette IIIS) were licence-assembled by F+W Emmen in Switzerland.

During 2004, the Swiss 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-built Eurocopter EC635s. Since their retirement, at least 10 ex-Swiss Alouettes have been gifted to Pakistan to perform search and rescue operations.

Variants

SE 3160 : the first production version. Sometimes retroactively redesignated SA 3160 or SA 316A. Maximum weight of ; powered by Turbomeca Artouste IIIB or IIIB1 turboshaft engine rated at for takeoff ( for IIIB1) and continuous, but restricted by rotor transmission limitations to for takeoff and continuous.
SA 316B : like SE 3160, but with strengthened main and tail rotor for greater performance; maximum weight of , and rotor transmission limit on takeoff power increased to .
HAL Chetak : Indian production version of the SA 316B. 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.
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 Rooivalk.
K-1 'Chetak', informally- 'Frenchman': 8 HAL Chetaks were bought by the Soviet Union for testing purposes at Kacha airfield, Sevastopol, in 1985, and later 2 of them were used by DOSAAF from Karagoz airfield

Operators

Current military operators

;

Angola Defence Force

;

Bolivian Air Force

;

Namibian Air Force

;

Argentine Naval Aviation

;

thumb|Austrian SE 3160 Alouette III over [[the Alps]]

Austrian Air Force

;

Belgian Air Component
Belgian Naval Component

;

Bangladesh Air Force

;

Bophuthatswana Air Force

;

Burma Air Force

;

Khmer Air Force

;

Cameroon Air Force

;

Chilean Navy

;

Royal Danish Navy

;

Dominican Air Force

;

Ecuadorian Navy

;

Salvadoran Air Force

;

French Air Force
French Army
French Navy
Sécurité Civile

;

Ghana Air Force

;

Hellenic Navy

;

Guinean Air Force

;

Guinea-Bissau Air Force

;

Guyana Defence Force

;

Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force

;

Indonesian Army Aviation

;

Iraq Air Force

;

thumb|[[Irish Air Corps SA 316B Alouette III, 212 from 3 Operations Wing at RNAS Yeovilton in July 2006]]

Irish Air Corps

;

Jordanian Air Force

;

Lebanese Air Force

;

Libyan Air Force
Libyan National Army

;

Malawi Army Air Wing

;

Mexican Air Force
Mexican Navy

;

Mozambique Air Force

;

thumb|An Alouette III of the [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]]

Royal Netherlands Air Force

;

Sandinista Air Force

;

Pakistan Air Force

;

Peruvian Air Force
Peruvian Army

;

Rwandan Defence Force

;

Royal Saudi Air Force

;

Seychelles Air Force

;

Singapore Air Force

;

South African Air Force

;

Republic of Korea Naval Air Arm

;

South Vietnamese Air Force

;

Spanish Air Force
Spanish Army

;

thumb|Aérospatiale SE 3160 Alouette III of the Swiss Air Force

Swiss Air Force

;

Upper Volta Air Force

;

Venezuelan Air Force

;

Yugoslav Air Force

;

Zaire Air Force

Former civilian operators

;

Air – Transport Europe

Specifications (SA 316B)

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References

Notes

Citations

Bibliography

External links

Aérospatiale SA 316B/ VSV/ SA 319B Alouette III
Sud Aviation SA 316/319 Alouette III
The Virtual Aviation Museum – Aérospatiale SE 3160 Alouette III
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited – Chetak