Aerospatiale SA321 Super Frelon

History of Aerospatiale SA321 Super Frelon

The SA 321 Super Frelon is a French-built multi-purpose helicopter manufactured by Aerospatiale (formerly Sud Aviation). In 1966, this medium-lift three-engine helicopter entered service on the French Navy's front lines, becoming the largest series-produced helicopter designed and built in Europe.

Since then, several countries have incorporated the multifunctional platform into their respective inventories, covering various military branches. The series is operated by Argentina, China, France, Greece, Iraq, Israel, Libya, South Africa and Zaire.

The design of the SA 321 "Super Frelon" came from the development of the prototype SNCASE SE. 3200 "Frelon", built to French military specifications. The base SA 3200 Frelon was developed as "Super Frelon" (Frelon translates to "Hornet", so the new helicopter became "Super Hornet") in the joint effort of Sud Aviation and Sikorsky USA. The result is a large personnel carrier that can be produced in several different variants.

The first flight was recorded on December 7, 1962, followed by service in the mid-1960s.

The helicopter has a large flat fuselage with a heavy glass cockpit in the nose, and the cabin is lined with rectangular windows. Doors provide the necessary access for operators and passengers. Wheeled tricycle landing gear is used for ground operation.

The three-engine configuration sits above the fuselage and drives the multi-blade main rotor at the top of the aircraft and the five-blade tail rotor at the tail.

Dimensions include a length of 23 meters, a rotor diameter of 18.9 meters, and a height of 6.5 meters. The curb weight is 6,865 kg and the MTOW is 13,000 kg. Each turboshaft puts out 1,570 horsepower.

The stated top speed is 250 km/h, the range is up to 1,020 km, and the service ceiling is up to 3,150 m. The climb rate is 1,312 feet per minute.

When armed, the aircraft carries a window-mounted (trainable) 20mm area suppression cannon. Helicopters can also attack with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles if support systems are deployed.

The SA 321 marks four early production helicopters, followed by the SA 312G model, which served the French Navy in an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role and were powered by 3 Turbomeca IIC-6 turboshaft engines . Then the SA 321Ga arrived, also commissioned by the French Air Force, but this time on a utility and attack transport mission.

SA 321GM becomes export-oriented version of SA 321 model and sold to Libya. Of note is her Omera ORB-32WAS search radar suit. Likewise, the SA 321H was sold to Iraq and was equipped with 3 Turbomeca Turmo IIIE production engines and ORB-31D radar.

This model is also used in the French anti-ship missile weapon Exocet.

SA 321F is a passenger tugboat developed for the civilian market, equipped with 3 Turbomeca IIIC-3 engines, equipped with variable seats and can accommodate up to 37 passengers. The SA 321J is another commercial endeavor, accommodating about 27 passengers. Its improved form became SA 321Ja.

SA 321K was sold to Israel and served there as a personnel carrier. The SA 321M became a South African product and was also used as a personnel carrier. The SA 321M was delivered to Libya for a search and rescue (SAR) role.

Argentina received a stock batch of ex-Israeli Super Frelons refitted with a GE GE T58 turboshaft engine.

Starting with the Z-8, the Chinese company Changhe took over the locally licensed production of the helicopter. Equipped with 3 Changzhou Lanziang WZ6 turboshaft engines. The Z-8A followed and was offered to the Chinese army as a transport model.

The Z-8F is equipped with 3 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-67A turboshaft engines. The Z-8AEW is modified for the Airborne Early Warning (AEW) role using an AESA radar, FLIR equipment and a retractable antenna in a modified nose assembly.

The AviCopter AC313 (detailed elsewhere on this page) is an evolution of the French SA 321, fully modernized to meet today's flying requirements.

China remains the only active user of the SA 321, a fleet that houses both the Army Air Force and the Navy. All other carriers have closed the line.

Total production (all brands) from 1962 to 1981 reached 110 units.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes