Aérospatiale Super Frelon
Encyclopedia
The Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon is a three-engined heavy transport helicopter
produced by Aérospatiale
of France
. The helicopter is still in use in China
where the locally produced version is known as the Z-8. "Frelon" is French for hornet
.
was contracted to supply the design of a new six-bladed rotor and five-bladed tail rotor. Fiat
supplied a design for a new main transmission. The first flight of the Super Frelon was December 7, 1962. A modified prototype Super Frelon helicopter was used on July 23, 1963 to break the FAI absolute helicopter world speed record with a speed of 217.7 mph.
Both civilian and military versions of the Super Frelon were built, with the military variants being the most numerous by far, entering service with the French military as well as being exported to Israel
, South Africa
, Libya
, China
and Iraq
.
Three military variants were produced: military transport, anti-submarine and anti-ship.
The transport version is able to carry 38 equipped troops, or alternatively 15 stretchers for casualty evacuation tasks.
The Naval anti-submarine and anti-ship variants are usually equipped with a navigation and search radar
(ORB-42), and a 50 metre rescue cable. They are most often fitted with a 20 mm cannon, counter-measures, night vision, a laser designator and a Personal Locator System. It can also be refueled in flight.
of surface vessels. China also produces the Super Frelon locally under the designation Z-8 (land or ship based ASW/SAR helicopter). The Super Frelon remains operational with the PLA Navy today.
Since the early 1980s, the Super Frelons have been frequently used by the PLAN for shipborne ASW and SAR operations. For ASW mission, Z-8 is equipped with a surface search radar, French HS-12 dipping sonar while carrying a Whitehead A244S torpedo under the starboard side of the fuselage. They were also used to ferry supplies from replenishment ship to surface combatants, and transport marine troops from the landing ship to the shore. A naval SAR version called Z-8S with upgraded avionics and a searchlight, FLIR turret and a hoist flew on December 2004. Another rescue variant with dedicated medivac equipment onboard was also developed for the Navy as Z-8JH.
Z-8A version was developed as an army transport version and certified in February 1999. Two Z-8As were delivered to the Army for evaluation in 2001 but the Army decided to purchase more Mi-17V5s. Only one batch of about 6 Z-8A were delivered to the Army in November 2002, with the nose weather radar and side floats retained. Starting in 2007 PLAAF also acquired dozens of upgraded Z-8Ks and Z-8KAs for SAR missions, equipped with an FLIR turret and a searchlight underneath the cabin plus a hoist and a flare dispenser.
China also developed a domestic civil helicopter variant of Z-8, the Avicopter AC313. The AC313 has a maximum takeoff weight of 13.8 tonnes and can carry 27 passengers, It has a maximum range of 900km (559 miles).
In 2003, the surviving Aeronavale Super Frelons are assigned to transport duties including commando transport, VertRep and SAR.
The SA321G Super Frelon served with Flottile 32F of the French Aviation navale
, operating from Lanvéoc-Poulmic in Brittany in the Search and rescue
role. They were retired on 30 April 2010, replaced by two Eurocopter EC225 helicopters purchased as stop gaps until the NHI NH90
comes into service in 2011-12.
with a heavy lift transport capability. The first helicopter arrived on April 20, 1966, to inaugurate 114 Squadron
operating out of Tel Nof
. Four helicopters had arrived by start of the 1967 Six Day War, during which they flew 41 sorties. The helicopters saw extensive service during the War of Attrition
, participating in such operations as Helem
, Tarnegol 5 and Rhodes
.
The type was once again in service during the Yom Kippur War
, following which Israel replaced the type's original Turbomeca Turmo engines with the 1,870shp General Electric T58
-GE-T5D engines. The Super Frelons also took part the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in June 1982 and were finally retired in 1991.
helicopters.
SAAF discovered Super Frelon performances were excellent at sea level, but the helicopter performances were worse than SAAF Pumas performances at high and dry places. During the bush war the helicopter proved its poor cargo carrying capacity, being outperformed by SA.330L Puma helicopters.
SA 3200 Frelon : Prototype transport helicopter powered by three 597 kW) (800 hp) Turbomeca Turmo
IIIB engines diving four bladed rotor of 15.2 m (50 ft) diameter. Two built, first flying 10 June 1958.
SA 321 : Pre-production aircraft. Four built.
SA 321G : Anti-submarine warfare version for the French Navy
, powered by three Turbomeca IIIC-6 turboshaft engines; 26 built.
SA 321Ga : Utility and assault transport helicopter for the French Navy
.
SA 321GM : Export version for Libya
, fitted with an Omera ORB-32WAS radar.
SA 321H : Export version for Iraq
, powered by three Turbomeca Turmo IIIE turboshaft engines, fitted with an Omera ORB-31D search radar, and armed with Exocet
anti-ship missiles.
SA 321F : Commercial airline helicopter, powered by three Turbomeca IIIC-3 turboshaft engines, accommodation for 34 to 37 passengers.
SA 321J : Commercial transport helicopter, accommodation for a 27 passengers.
SA 321Ja : Improved version of the SA.321J.
SA 321K : Military transport version for Israel
.
SA 321L : Military transport version for South Africa
, fitted with air inlet filters.
SA 321M : Search and rescue, utility transport helicopter for Libya
.
Changhe Z-8 : Chinese built version with three Changzhou Lan Xiang WZ6 turboshaft engines.
Changhe Z-8A : Army transport
Changhe Z-8F: Chinese built version with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6
C-67B turboshaft engines
(retired 2010)
South Africa
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
produced by Aérospatiale
Aérospatiale
Aérospatiale was a French aerospace manufacturer that built both civilian and military aircraft, rockets and satellites. It was originally known as Société Nationale Industrielle Aérospatiale...
of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The helicopter is still in use in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
where the locally produced version is known as the Z-8. "Frelon" is French for hornet
Hornet
Hornets are the largest eusocial wasps; some species can reach up to in length. The true hornets make up the genus Vespa and are distinguished from other vespines by the width of the vertex , which is proportionally larger in Vespa and by the anteriorly rounded gasters .- Life cycle :In...
.
Development
The SA-3210 Super Frelon was developed by Sud-Aviation from the original SE-3200 Frelon. SikorskySikorsky
Sikorsky is an English-language respelling of the Slavic surname Sikorski. Derived from the Polish word sikora – meaning "chickadee/tit" – it was originally the name of a noble Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth family....
was contracted to supply the design of a new six-bladed rotor and five-bladed tail rotor. Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
supplied a design for a new main transmission. The first flight of the Super Frelon was December 7, 1962. A modified prototype Super Frelon helicopter was used on July 23, 1963 to break the FAI absolute helicopter world speed record with a speed of 217.7 mph.
Both civilian and military versions of the Super Frelon were built, with the military variants being the most numerous by far, entering service with the French military as well as being exported to Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
Three military variants were produced: military transport, anti-submarine and anti-ship.
The transport version is able to carry 38 equipped troops, or alternatively 15 stretchers for casualty evacuation tasks.
The Naval anti-submarine and anti-ship variants are usually equipped with a navigation and search radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
(ORB-42), and a 50 metre rescue cable. They are most often fitted with a 20 mm cannon, counter-measures, night vision, a laser designator and a Personal Locator System. It can also be refueled in flight.
People's Republic of China
China acquired 13 Super Frelon SA321 naval helicopters in 1977-78. These helicopters came in two variants: anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and search and rescue (SAR) variant. The Super Frelon was the first helicopter of the PLA to be capable of operating from the flight deckFlight deck
The flight deck of an aircraft carrier is the surface from which its aircraft take off and land, essentially a miniature airfield at sea. On smaller naval ships which do not have aviation as a primary mission, the landing area for helicopters and other VTOL aircraft is also referred to as the...
of surface vessels. China also produces the Super Frelon locally under the designation Z-8 (land or ship based ASW/SAR helicopter). The Super Frelon remains operational with the PLA Navy today.
Since the early 1980s, the Super Frelons have been frequently used by the PLAN for shipborne ASW and SAR operations. For ASW mission, Z-8 is equipped with a surface search radar, French HS-12 dipping sonar while carrying a Whitehead A244S torpedo under the starboard side of the fuselage. They were also used to ferry supplies from replenishment ship to surface combatants, and transport marine troops from the landing ship to the shore. A naval SAR version called Z-8S with upgraded avionics and a searchlight, FLIR turret and a hoist flew on December 2004. Another rescue variant with dedicated medivac equipment onboard was also developed for the Navy as Z-8JH.
Z-8A version was developed as an army transport version and certified in February 1999. Two Z-8As were delivered to the Army for evaluation in 2001 but the Army decided to purchase more Mi-17V5s. Only one batch of about 6 Z-8A were delivered to the Army in November 2002, with the nose weather radar and side floats retained. Starting in 2007 PLAAF also acquired dozens of upgraded Z-8Ks and Z-8KAs for SAR missions, equipped with an FLIR turret and a searchlight underneath the cabin plus a hoist and a flare dispenser.
China also developed a domestic civil helicopter variant of Z-8, the Avicopter AC313. The AC313 has a maximum takeoff weight of 13.8 tonnes and can carry 27 passengers, It has a maximum range of 900km (559 miles).
France
In October 1965 SA321G ASW helicopter joined the French Aeronavale. Apart from ship-based ASW missions, the SA321G also carried out sanitisation patrols in support of Redoutable class ballistic missile submarines. Some were modified with nose-mounted targeting radar for Exocet anti-ship missiles. Five SA321GA freighters, originally used in support of the Pacific nuclear test centre, were transferred to assault support duties.In 2003, the surviving Aeronavale Super Frelons are assigned to transport duties including commando transport, VertRep and SAR.
The SA321G Super Frelon served with Flottile 32F of the French Aviation navale
Aviation Navale
French Naval Aviation of the French Navy includes 206 aircraft and 6,800 men, both civilians and military personnel. They operate from six airbases, five of them in Metropolitan France and one overseas....
, operating from Lanvéoc-Poulmic in Brittany in the Search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
role. They were retired on 30 April 2010, replaced by two Eurocopter EC225 helicopters purchased as stop gaps until the NHI NH90
NHI NH90
The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter manufactured by NHIndustries. The first prototype had its maiden flight in December 1995...
comes into service in 2011-12.
Iraq
Designated SA321H, a total of 16 Super Frelon were delivered from 1977 to the Iraqi air force with radar and Exocets. These aircraft were used in the Iran-Iraq conflict and the 1991 Gulf War, in which at least one example was destroyed.Israel
Israel ordered 12 helicopters in 1965 to provide the Israeli Air ForceIsraeli Air Force
The Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
with a heavy lift transport capability. The first helicopter arrived on April 20, 1966, to inaugurate 114 Squadron
114 Squadron (Israel)
The 114 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force, also known as the Night Leaders Squadron, is a helicopter squadron of CH-53-2000 Sea Stallions based at Tel Nof Airbase.-References:...
operating out of Tel Nof
Tel Nof Airbase
Tel Nof Israeli Air Force , also known as Air Force Base 8, is one of three principal airbases of the Israeli Air Force. Tel Nof is located near Rehovot, Israel.-History:...
. Four helicopters had arrived by start of the 1967 Six Day War, during which they flew 41 sorties. The helicopters saw extensive service during the War of Attrition
War of Attrition
The international community and both countries attempted to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. The Jarring Mission of the United Nations was supposed to ensure that the terms of UN Security Council Resolution 242 would be observed, but by late 1970 it was clear that this mission had been...
, participating in such operations as Helem
Operation Shock
Operation Shock was a commando operation executed in 1968 by the Israeli commando unit Sayeret Matkal to sabotage of power plant and Nile bridges in Egypt....
, Tarnegol 5 and Rhodes
Operation Rhodes
Operation Rhodes was an Israeli heliborne raid against the Egyptian island of Shadwan on 22 January 1970, during the War of Attrition. It was carried out by Israeli paratroopers and Shayetet 13 naval commandos, who took control of the island for over a day before leaving with 62 captured Egyptian...
.
The type was once again in service during the Yom Kippur War
Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
, following which Israel replaced the type's original Turbomeca Turmo engines with the 1,870shp General Electric T58
General Electric T58
|-See also:-References:* and...
-GE-T5D engines. The Super Frelons also took part the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in June 1982 and were finally retired in 1991.
Libya
Six radar-equipped SA-321GM helicopters and eight SA321M SAR/transports were delivered to Libya in 1980-81.South Africa
The SAAF ordered 16 Super Frelon helicopters. South African Air Force used them in counter insurgency fighting and in Angola. In 1990 the Super Frelons were withdrawn from service, and replaced by the Puma and later OryxAtlas Oryx
The Atlas Oryx is a medium-sized utility helicopter manufactured by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation of South Africa.-Design and development:...
helicopters.
SAAF discovered Super Frelon performances were excellent at sea level, but the helicopter performances were worse than SAAF Pumas performances at high and dry places. During the bush war the helicopter proved its poor cargo carrying capacity, being outperformed by SA.330L Puma helicopters.
Syria
Syria is believed to have purchased 21 Super Frelon helicopters, although it seems Syria never operated them. These helicopters may have been diverted to Iraq or Libya.Variants
Turbomeca Turmo
-External links:*...
IIIB engines diving four bladed rotor of 15.2 m (50 ft) diameter. Two built, first flying 10 June 1958.
SA 321 : Pre-production aircraft. Four built.
SA 321G : Anti-submarine warfare version for the French Navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
, powered by three Turbomeca IIIC-6 turboshaft engines; 26 built.
SA 321Ga : Utility and assault transport helicopter for the French Navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
.
SA 321GM : Export version for Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
, fitted with an Omera ORB-32WAS radar.
SA 321H : Export version for Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, powered by three Turbomeca Turmo IIIE turboshaft engines, fitted with an Omera ORB-31D search radar, and armed with Exocet
Exocet
The Exocet is a French-built anti-ship missile whose various versions can be launched from surface vessels, submarines, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Hundreds were fired in combat during the 1980s.-Etymology:...
anti-ship missiles.
SA 321F : Commercial airline helicopter, powered by three Turbomeca IIIC-3 turboshaft engines, accommodation for 34 to 37 passengers.
SA 321J : Commercial transport helicopter, accommodation for a 27 passengers.
SA 321Ja : Improved version of the SA.321J.
SA 321K : Military transport version for Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
SA 321L : Military transport version for South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, fitted with air inlet filters.
SA 321M : Search and rescue, utility transport helicopter for Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
.
Changhe Z-8 : Chinese built version with three Changzhou Lan Xiang WZ6 turboshaft engines.
Changhe Z-8A : Army transport
Changhe Z-8F: Chinese built version with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6
Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6
The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 is one of the most popular turboprop aircraft engines in history, and is produced by Pratt & Whitney Canada. The PT6 family is particularly well known for its extremely high reliability, with MTBO's on the order of 9000 hours in some models. In US military use, they...
C-67B turboshaft engines
Operators
Military Operators
- People's Liberation ArmyPeople's Liberation ArmyThe People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
- People's Liberation Army Air ForcePeople's Liberation Army Air ForceThe People's Liberation Army Air Force is the aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army, the military of the People's Republic of China...
operates Jingdezhen (Z-8) variant. - People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force
(retired 2010)
- French Air ForceFrench Air ForceThe French Air Force , literally Army of the Air) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. It was formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, a service arm of the French Army, then was made an independent military arm in 1933...
- Aviation NavaleAviation NavaleFrench Naval Aviation of the French Navy includes 206 aircraft and 6,800 men, both civilians and military personnel. They operate from six airbases, five of them in Metropolitan France and one overseas....
- Imperial Iranian Air Force
- Islamic Republic of Iran Air ForceIslamic Republic of Iran Air ForceThe Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force ' is the aviation branch of the Iranian armed forces. The present Air Force came into being in the early 1980s when the former Imperial Iranian Air Force was renamed....
- Iraqi Air ForceIraqi Air ForceThe Iraqi Air Force or IQAF is the military branch in Iraq responsible for the policing of international borders, surveillance of national assets and aerial operations...
- Israeli Air ForceIsraeli Air ForceThe Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
- Libyan Air ForceLibyan Air ForceThe Libyan Air Force is the branch of the Libyan Armed Forces responsible for aerial warfare. In 2010, before the 2011 Libyan civil war, the Libyan Air Force personnel strength was estimated at 18,000, with an inventory of 374 combat capable aircraft operating from 13 military airbases in...
- Libyan NavyLibyan NavyThe Libyan Navy was the maritime force of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, established in November 1962. It was a fairly typical small navy with a few missile frigates, corvettes and patrol boats to defend the coastline, but with a very limited self-defence capability...
South Africa
- South African Air ForceSouth African Air ForceThe South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
- Zairian Air ForceAir Force of the Democratic Republic of the CongoThe Air Force of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo Air Force , is the air force branch of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
- One helicopter only.
Civil operators
- Olympic Airways - Former operator. One SA.321F helicopter was operated by Olympic Airways, it was used to ferry passengers between the Greek Islands. This aircraft, F-OCMF, named Hermes, was retired to The Helicopter Museum, Weston super Mare, UK
- BAT
Specifications (Naval Super Frelon)
See also
- Frelon (disambiguation)