Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon
| SA 321 Super Frelon | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| A Super Frelon helicopter of the French Navy | |
| Role | Heavy-lift military Transport helicopter |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer |
Sud Aviation Aérospatiale |
| First flight | 7 December 1962 |
| Introduction | 1966 |
| Status | In service with People's Liberation Army |
| Primary users |
French Navy People's Liberation Army South African Air Force Iraqi Air Force |
| Produced | 1962–1981 |
| Number built | 110 |
| Developed from | SNCASE SE.3200 Frelon |
| Developed into | Avicopter AC313 |
The Aérospatiale (formerly Sud Aviation) SA 321 Super Frelon (Super Frelon – "Super Hornet") is a three-engined heavy transport helicopter produced by Sud Aviation (later Aérospatiale) of France. The helicopter is still in use in China where the locally produced version is known as the Z-8.
The SA.3210 Super Frelon was developed by Sud Aviation from the original SE.3200 Frelon. Sikorsky was contracted to supply the design of a new six-bladed main rotor and five-bladed tail rotor. Fiat supplied a design for a new main transmission. The first flight of the Super Frelon was 7 December 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 (350.4 km/h).
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 navigation and search radar (ORB-42), and a 50-metre rescue cable. They are most often fitted with a 20 mm cannon, countermeasures, night vision, a laser designator and a Personal Locator System. It can also be refueled in flight.
China acquired 12 SA 321 Super Frelon naval helicopters delivered from December 1975 to April 1977. These helicopters came in two variants: anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and search and rescue (SAR) versions. The Super Frelon was the first helicopter of the PLA to be capable of operating from the flight deck 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 as of 2014.
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