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Aerospatiale SA321 Super Frelon


Medium-Lift Transport Helicopter [ 1966 ]



The Aerospatiale AS321 Super Frelon became the largest helicopter to be produced in Europe in any large number when it was introduced in 1966.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/27/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]
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The SA 321 Super Frelon is a French-produced multirole helicopter under the Aerospatiale brand (formally Sud Aviation). The triple-engine, medium-lift design became the largest production helicopter designed and built in Europe in any number when it went into frontline service with the French Navy in 1966. Since then, several nations moved to accept the versatile platform into their respective inventories covering various military branches. Operators of the series were Argentina, China, France, Greece, Iraq, Israel, Libya, South Africa and Zaire.

SA 321 "Super Frelon" design stemmed from development of the prototype SNCASE SE.3200 "Frelon" built to a French military specification. In a joint effort between Sud Aviation and Sikorsky of the United States, the base SA 3200 Frelon was developed into the "Super Frelon" (with Frelon translating to "Hornet", hence the new helicopter becoming the "Super Hornet"). The result was a large troop transport that would go onto to be produced in several distinct variants. A first-flight was recorded on December 7th, 1962 and service entry followed in the mid-1960s.

The helicopter featured a large, slab-sided fuselage with the heavily-glazed cockpit at the nose and the passenger cabin lined with rectangular windows. Doors provided the needed access for operating crew as well as the passengers. A wheeled tricycle undercarriage was used for ground-running. Over the top of the fuselage was seated the triple-engine configuration and these drove the multi-bladed main rotor atop the vehicle as well as a five-bladed tail rotor aft.

Dimensions include a length of 23 meters with a rotor diameter of 18.9 meters and a height of 6.5 meters. Empty weight is 6,865 kg against an MTOW of 13,000 kg. Each turboshaft outputs 1,570 horsepower. Maximum listed speed if 250 kmh with a range out to 1,020 kilometers and a service ceiling up to 3,150 meters. Rate-of-climb is 1,312 feet-per-minute.

If armed, the aircraft carries a window-mounted (trainable) 20mm autocannon for area suppression. If support systems are provided, the helicopter can also attack with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.

The SA 321 marked four early production helicopters and these were followed by the SA 312G models which served the French Navy in the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) role and were powered by 3 x Turbomeca IIC-6 turboshaft engines. Then arrived the SA 321Ga which was also taken into service by the French Air Force though this time to fulfill the utility and assault transport roles.©MilitaryFactory.com
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The SA 321GM became the export-minded form of the SA 321 model and these were sold to Libya. Of note was their Omera ORB-32WAS search radar fits. Similarly the SA 321H was sold overseas to Iraq and were delivered with 3 x Turbomeca Turmo IIIE series engines as well as ORB-31D radar. This model was also given provision for the French Exocet anti-ship missile weapon.

The SA 321F was developed as a passenger hauler for the civilian market and incorporated 3 x Turbomeca IIIC-3 engines with variable seating for up to 37 passengers. The SA 321J was another commercial-minded effort and this seated some 27 passengers. Its improved form became the SA 321Ja.

The SA 321K was sold to Israel and served there as a troop transport. The SA 321M became a production of South Africa and also served as a troop transport. The SA 321M was delivered to Libya for use in the Search And Rescue (SAR) role. Argentina received a stock of ex-Israeli Super Frelons and these were re-engined with General Electric GE T58 turboshaft engines.

Changhe of China took on local, licensed production of the helicopter beginning with the Z-8. This carried 3 x Changzhou Lan Ziang WZ6 turboshaft engines. The Z-8A followed and was delivered to the Chinese Army as a transport model. The Z-8F was outfitted with 3 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-67A turboshaft engines. The Z-8AEW was modified for the Airborne Early Warning (AEW) role by way of AESA radar, FLIR equipment and a retractable antenna in a revised nose assembly. The AviCopter AC313 (detailed elsewhere on this site) is a further evolution of the French SA 321, fully-modernized for today's flying requirements.

China remains the only active user of the SA 321 and this fleet stocks both its Army Air Force and Navy services. All other operators have retired the line.

Total production (of all marks) reached 110 units from 1962 until 1981.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
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Specifications



Service Year
1966

Origin
France national flag graphic
France

Status
ACTIVE
In Limited Service.
Crew
3

Production
110
UNITS


Sud Aviation - France / Sikorsky - USA
(View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers)
National flag of Argentina National flag of China National flag of France National flag of Greece National flag of Iraq National flag of Iran National flag of Israel National flag of Libya National flag of Norway National flag of South Africa National flag of Zaire Argentina; China; France; Greece; Iran; Iraq; Israel; Libya; Norway; South Africa; Zaire
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
Special Forces
Serving Special Forces / Special Operations elements and missions.


Length
63.6 ft
(19.40 m)
Width/Span
62.0 ft
(18.90 m)
Height
21.9 ft
(6.66 m)
Empty Wgt
14,771 lb
(6,700 kg)
MTOW
28,660 lb
(13,000 kg)
Wgt Diff
+13,889 lb
(+6,300 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the Aerospatiale SA321G Super Frelon (Super Hornet) production variant)
Installed: 3 x Turbomecha Turmo IIIC turboshafts developing 1,475 horsepower to 1,630 horsepower and driving a six-blade main rotor and a five-blade tail rotor.
Max Speed
154 mph
(248 kph | 134 kts)
Ceiling
10,167 ft
(3,099 m | 2 mi)
Range
634 mi
(1,020 km | 1,889 nm)
Rate-of-Climb
1,214 ft/min
(370 m/min)


♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)
Sub
Trans
Super
Hyper
HiHyper
ReEntry
RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030


(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Aerospatiale SA321G Super Frelon (Super Hornet) production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
Mission-specific ordnance can include:

OPTIONAL:
1 x 20mm Autocannon (window-mounted, trainable).

OPTIONAL:
4 x Torpedoes
2 x AM39 "Exocet" anti-ship missiles


Supported Types


Graphical image of an aircraft automatic cannon
Graphical image of an aircraft anti-ship missile
Graphical image of an aircraft aerial torpedo


(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 2


SA 3200 - Base Frelon model; prototyped but never placed into production; formed the basis of further development to become the "Super Frelon" system; developed by Sud Aviation and Sikorsky.
SA 3210-01 - Prototype Super Frelon
SA 321G - Production model as operated by the French Navy in anti-submarine warfare configuration; later relegated to S&R duties.
SA 321GM - Syrian Export Model similar to the SA 321G model series.
SA 321H - Iraqi Export Model similar to the SA 321G model series.
SA 321F - Civilian Transport Variant
SA 321J - Civilian Utility Transport Variant
SA 321L - Non-Amphibious Transport Variant as exported to South Africa.
SA 321K - Israel Export Variant; refitted with GE T58 powerplants; passed on to Argentina.
SA 321M - Libyan Export Variant fitted for Search and Rescue duties and logistical support.


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Image of the Aerospatiale SA321 Super Frelon
Image from the Chinese Ministry of Defense.
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Image of the Aerospatiale SA321 Super Frelon
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