SA-342L Gazelle French Light Attack Helicopter
SA 341 Gazelle
Light Attack Helicopter
Other
Basic Information
Name
SA-342L Gazelle French Light Attack Helicopter
Designation
SA 341 Gazelle
Alternate Designation
SA 341 Gazelle
Equipment Type
Light Attack Helicopter
Manufacturer
AEROSPATIALE, WESTLAND
Date of Introduction
1973
Description
The SA-342L is a export light attack variant of the SA-341/342 Gazelle. The Eurocopter/Aerospatiale SA 341/342 Gazelle is a French built light utility helicopter which was first flown in 1967. Military missions include attack, antitank, anti helicopter, reconnaissance, utility, transport, and training. The three-blade main rotor is mounted on top of the fuselage at the rear of the cabin. The single turboshaft engine, mounted on top of the fuselage and to the rear of the rotor shaft, features a prominent, upturned exhaust. The teardrop-shaped fuselage has a round, glassed-in cockpit and landing skids. The tapering tail boom mid-mounted on the fuselage has a swept-back tail fin which is tapered with a square tip and rectangular flats with small fins. The fan rotor housing is built into the lower tail.
Air & Air Defense Specifications
Crew
1
Engine
Turboshaft (858 hp)
Variants
SA 341H
Can carry 4x AT-3 ATGMs, and 2x SA-7, or 128-mm or 57-mm rockets, and 7.62-mm
machinegun in cabin.
SA 341H
Export variant.
SA 342L
Export light attack variant with Astazou XIVM engine.
SA 342L
Export light attack variant with either rocket pods or
Machine guns.
SA 342K
Armed antitank version with 4-6x HOT ATGMs and 7.62-
mm MG. Missile Weight (kg): 32 (in tube). Warhead: Tandem shaped Charge. Armor Penetration (mm CE): 1250. Maximum Range (m): 75/4,000. Rate of fire (missiles/min): 3-4, depending on range.
SA 342M
Armed version with 4 x HOT ATGMs, 2x Mistral AAM, 7.62-mm MG.
SA 341 GAZELLE
Developed by Aerospatiale in France. Others were built in the UK by Westland, and in
Yugoslavia.
SA 341F
Production version for
French Army. A GIAT M.621
20-mm cannon is installed
on right side of some
aircraft. Rate of fire is either
300 or 740 rpm. Upgraded
engine to Astazou IIIC.
SA 342K
Armed SA 341F with Upgraded 870-shp Astazou XIVH engine, mostly
exported to the Middle East
SA 342M
Improved ground attack variant for French Army, with 4-6 HOT ATGMs, possibly fitted with Mistral air- to-air missiles. Similar to SA 342L, but with improved instrument panel, engine exhaust baffles to reduce IR signature, navigational systems, Doppler radar, and other night flying equipment. Fitted with Viviane FCS with thermal sight for night attack. This the Hybrid Threat Tier 1 baseline light helicopter.
SA 341B/C/D/E
Production versions for British military. Used in communications and training and roles
System
Alternative Designation
SA 341 Gazelle
Crew
1 or 2 (pilots) ea
Type
Light Attack Helicopter
Manufacturer
AEROSPATIALE, WESTLAND
Role
real time air to air defense, overall defense operations against enemy helicopters and slow-moving aircraft.
In Service
1973-Present
Crew
1 or 2 ea
Transports
3 troops or 1 litter, or cargo or 4 Passengers
Main Rotor, Blades
3.0 ea
Tail Rotor, Blades
13 (fenestron enclosed in tail)
Similar Aircraft
Alouette II, Alouette III, Scout/Wasp, OH-13 Sioux, Dauphin 2
Day/Night Flying
Yes
Dimensions
Length, with Rotors Turning
11.9 m
Length, Fuselage
9.5 m
Rotor Diameter
10.5 m
Disc Area
86.59 m sq
Tail Rotor Diameter
0.7 m
Height
3.1 m
Weight
2.0 m
Length, Cargo Compartment
2.2 m
Width, Cargo Compartment
1.3 m
Height, Cargo Compartment
1.2 m
Weight, Maximum Take off
2,000 kg
Weight, Payload
700 kg
Weight, Empty
997 kg
Automotive
Engine Name
1 x Turbomeca Astazou IIIB turboshaft
Engine Type
Turboshaft
Engine Power
858 hp
Fuel, Internal
545 Liters
Fuel, Internal Aux Tank
90 Liters
Fuel, Additional Internal Aux Tank
200 Liters
Speed, Maximum
260 km/h
Speed, Economical
232 km/h
Range, At Sea Level (Internal Fuel Tank)
710 km
Range, at 4,000 feet (Aux Fuel Tank)
1,091 km
Climb Rate
468 meters per minute
Ceiling
4,100 m
Hover IGE ISA
3,040 m
Hover OGE ISA
2,370 m
Communication
Radio
INA
Wing Mounted Weapon System
Additional Armament that can be Equipped
Weapon & Armament Types
4 x AS11; or
2 x AS12; or
4 x HOT anti-tank missiles; or
Rocket pods; or
Gun pods; or
Mistral air-to-air missiles
Main Weapon System
Name
M621 Cannon
Type
20 mm automatic cannon
Manufacturer
Nexter Systems
In Service
INA-Present
Length
2,207 mm
Width
202 mm
Height
245 mm
Weight
45.5 kg
Action
Blowback Operated
Rate of Fire
800 rds/min
Feed System
Open-link M12 belt
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
20 mm
Cartridge
20×102mm
Muzzle Velocity
1,005 m/s (3,297 ft/s) (AP-T)
985 m/s (3,231.6 ft/s) (HEI and TP)
Basic Load
INA
Missile System
Name
Mistral (Missile)
Type
Infrared Homing Missile
Manufacturer
MBDA (France)
In Service
1988-Present
Length
1.86 m
Diameter
90 mm
Effective Firing Range
6 km
Warhead Type
High Explosive with high density tungsten balls
Warhead Weight
2.95 kg
Detonation Mechanism
Laser proximity or impact triggered
Engine
Solid Rocket Motor
Speed
800 m/s
Guidance System
Infrared Homing
Fire Control and Avionics
Fire Control System
Available
Fire Control Radar
INA
Laser Designator
Available
NVG Compatible
Yes
Autopilot
Yes
Navigation Computer
Yes
Sight
Roof-mounted stabilized sight available
DCM
Radar warning receiver available
FLIR
Available
Protection
Armor
INA
Stealth Properties
No
IR Signature Suppressor
Yes, IR signature suppressor on engine exhaust.
Add on Armor
INA
NBC Protection
Yes
EW Counter Measures/CCM
INA
Counter Measures (Chaff/Flares)
INA
Details
Country of Origin
France
Category
Rotary Wing Aircraft
Air > Rotary Wing Aircraft
Filter Label
S
Classification
Domain
Air & Air Defense
Equipment Status
Active
Operators (18)
France
United Kingdom
Serbia
Angola
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Burundi
Cyprus
Ecuador
Egypt
Gabon
Iraq
Kuwait
Lebanon
Montenegro
Morocco
Qatar
Rwanda
Tunisia
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