Aérospatiale Alouette II
| Company type | Aerospace manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Helicopter manufacturing |
| Fate | Merged into Aérospatiale (for Sud Aviation) |
| Successor | Aérospatiale (for Sud Aviation) |
| Headquarters | France , France |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Joseph Szydlowski (engine development guidance) |
| Products | Helicopters, including the Alouette II and variants |
The Aérospatiale Alouette II (, meaning "lark"; designated as SE 313 and SA 318 by the manufacturer) is a French light helicopter initially produced by Sud Aviation and subsequently by Aérospatiale. It holds the distinction of being the first production helicopter powered by a gas turbine engine rather than a heavier piston engine.
The SE 3130 prototype made its maiden flight on 12 March 1955. Between 1956 and 1975, over 1,300 units were built, establishing it as a popular choice among military forces for roles such as observation, aerial photography, air-sea rescue, liaison duties, and training. It was also capable of carrying anti-tank missiles and homing torpedoes. Civil applications included medical evacuation using external stretchers, agricultural spraying, and carrying external loads as a flying crane.
A variant engineered for high-altitude operations, the Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama, entered service in July 1971. The Alouette II later evolved into the larger and more powerful Aérospatiale Alouette III. Production of the Alouette II ended in 1975 as newer models replaced it, although many remained operational well into the early 2000s.
Development
After the complex but record-breaking SE 3120 Alouette, Sud-Est was pressured by government authorities to deliver a turbine-powered helicopter within two years or halt rotary-wing projects entirely. Seven turboshaft-driven concepts (X.310A through X.310G) were proposed. The X.310G, equipped with an enhanced Turbomeca Artouste engine developed under Joseph Szydlowski’s guidance, was selected for expedited production as the SE 3130 Alouette II.
The prototype SE 3130 took flight on 12 March 1955; a mere three months later, pilot Jean Boulet set a new altitude record for helicopters at . Early demonstrations underscored the advantages of turbine engines compared to piston-powered counterparts.
The initial production Alouette II was completed in April 1956, marking it as the world’s first turbine-powered helicopter produced in series. Early production models underwent test flights in the Alps. On 13 June 1958, Boulet established another altitude benchmark at 10,984 m (36,027 ft). The SA 3180 Alouette II Astazou, introduced in 1964, featured the Turbomeca Astazou IIA engine. Production concluded in 1975 after manufacturing more than 1,300 units; by then, both the high-altitude SA 315B Lama and the larger Alouette III were already in production, diminishing demand for the Alouette II.
Design
The Aérospatiale Alouette II is a French light helicopter that incorporated several cutting-edge features during its era. It is powered by a single Turbomeca Artouste II turboshaft engine capable of delivering up to 400 hp. An automated fuel supply governor regulates main rotor speed, removing the need for a twist-grip throttle and simplifying pilot input to a single lever controlling collective pitch and power output. Its transmission design omits a clutch, which significantly reduces mechanical complexity and maintenance requirements.
Despite its classification as a light helicopter, the Alouette II offers considerable lifting capability, able to transport underslung cargo such as a compact Citroen vehicle weighing over half a ton. At sea level, it operates using only about 300 of its available 400 hp to maintain performance reserves for high-altitude or tropical environments. It can reach altitudes up to 2,286 meters with a climb rate of approximately 250 meters per minute and has a maximum range of around 563 miles. Various landing gear configurations were offered including skids, wheels, or pontoons.
The cabin accommodates up to five occupants including the pilot and features side-hinged doors for entry. Its cockpit is compact with a dome-shaped windshield providing excellent visibility. Notably, the Alouette II was pioneering in armament capabilities: it was the first helicopter outfitted with anti-tank weaponry—the SS.11 wire-guided anti-tank missile. The French Army equipped their helicopters with machine guns while the French Navy armed theirs with aerial torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions.
Operationally, the Alouette II demanded rigorous maintenance routines. Its main rotorhead contained twenty grease fittings requiring lubrication every five flight hours. The tail rotor drive shaft also needed regular servicing. Due to sensitivity to dust ingress, operators frequently removed and cleaned rectangular sand filters after each landing to maintain performance integrity.
Operational history
Prior to its entry into civilian service, the Alouette II marked a milestone in helicopter mountain rescue on 3 July 1956 by evacuating a climber from an altitude exceeding . On 3 January 1957, it successfully saved the crew of a downed Sikorsky S-58, which had been involved in a search for missing mountaineers on Mont Blanc.
After completing successful evaluations, the Alouette II was granted French airworthiness certification on 2 May 1957, allowing it to commence civil operations. Early production primarily met demands from French military and civilian sectors, with the French Army receiving the first units in 1957. Shortly thereafter, substantial orders were placed by the United Kingdom, West Germany, and Austria.
During the Algerian War, French forces quickly integrated the Alouette II into combat roles, extensively utilizing it for transporting troops—carrying up to four soldiers—and pioneering its use as a helicopter gunship equipped with Nord Aviation SS.10 or SS.11 anti-tank missile systems.
Rhodesia emerged as a significant operator of both Alouette II and III models, employing them across various paramilitary functions such as aerial reconnaissance, logistics support, casualty evacuation, communications relay, and troop movement. Despite operating in demanding hot and high-altitude environments that adversely affected aircraft performance, the Alouette II demonstrated notable durability and versatility. To enhance operational range, fuel reserves were strategically positioned throughout the country.
Modifications implemented by Rhodesian forces improved refueling mechanisms, targeting optics, interior fittings, protective armor, and weaponry. The Alouette II played a pivotal role in Rhodesia’s innovative Fireforce rapid deployment strategy designed to encircle adversaries swiftly. Fireforce units were stationed near conflict zones to ensure rapid reaction capabilities.
By the conclusion of its production run in 1975, over 1,300 Alouette IIs had been manufactured and were in service with 47 military organizations across more than 80 nations. Licensed manufacturing took place in Brazil, Sweden, India, and the United States. Although partially replaced by the SA 315B Lama variant, the French Army eventually phased out its Alouette II fleet in favor of the Aérospatiale AS350 Écureuil observation helicopter.
In a notable incident in July 2018, an Alouette II was commandeered during a dramatic prison break involving criminal Rédoine Faïd from Réau prison near Paris. The hijacked helicopter was forced to fly under duress to Roissy within ten minutes, underscoring the model’s enduring operational relevance decades after production ended.
Variants
- SE 3130 Alouette II – Original version powered by a Turbomeca Artouste II engine delivering for takeoff; maximum takeoff weight .
- SE 313B Alouette II – Enhanced SE 3130 featuring Turbomeca Artouste IIC5 or IIC6 engines with identical power output but increased maximum weight to .
- SE 3131 Gouverneur – Executive configuration with an enclosed tailboom; project discontinued in favor of the Alouette III.
- SE 3140 Alouette II – Proposed variant equipped with a 298 kW (400 hp) Turbomeca Turmo II engine; no units produced.
- HKP 2 Alouette II – Swedish license-built version of the SE 3130.
- SA 3180 Alouette II Astazou – Powered by a Turbomeca Astazou IIA/IIA2 engine rated at , limited to due to rotor transmission constraints; maximum weight .
- SA 318B Alouette II Astazou – Variant of SA 3180 with increased max weight to .
- SA 318C Alouette II Astazou – Further raised maximum weight to .
- SA 315B Lama – Designed for Indian military requirements under "hot and high" conditions; combined Artouste engine and rotor system from Alouette III with a reinforced airframe derived from the Alouette II.
- Republic Lark – Proposed American production model by Republic Aircraft featuring an AiResearch TSE-331-7 turboshaft engine.
Operators
Previous operators
Bibliography
- Boyne, Walter. How the Helicopter Changed Modern Warfare. Pelican Publishing Company, 2011.
- Cocks, Kerrin. Rhodesian Fire Force 1966–80. Helion and Company, 2015.
- Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1966–67. Sampson Low, Marston & Company, London, 1966.
- McGowen, Stanley S. Helicopters: An Illustrated History of their Impact. ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, California, 2005.