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| Eurocopter Gazelle | |
|---|---|
| Name | Gazelle |
| Caption | SA 341/342 Gazelle in flight |
| Type | Light utility and scout helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Aérospatiale/Eurocopter |
| First flight | 1971 |
| Introduced | 1973 |
| Status | Active/retired (varies by operator) |
Eurocopter Gazelle The Gazelle is a French-designed light utility and reconnaissance helicopter introduced in the early 1970s. Conceived by Aérospatiale with later manufacture under Eurocopter and related companies, the type served widely with armed forces and civil operators across Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. Its role has spanned armed reconnaissance, liaison, training, and light attack operations for users including British Army, French Army, Royal Navy, Saudi Arabian National Guard, and Libya.
Development began with design work at Sud Aviation and its successor Aérospatiale during the late 1960s, influenced by requirements from the French Army and export opportunities with United Kingdom and other NATO partners. The prototype first flew in 1971, demonstrating the fenestron enclosed tail rotor conceived earlier on the SA 340 program; production was established at facilities in Marignane and under license at Westland Helicopters in Yeovil for British-built airframes. The Gazelle's introduction coincided with contemporaries such as the Bell OH-58 Kiowa, Hughes OH-6 Cayuse, and SA 342L Gazelle export versions, leading to export sales during the 1970s and 1980s to nations including Portugal, Spain, Iraq, Jordan, Chile, and Gabon.
The Gazelle featured a five-bladed main rotor and the patented fenestron shrouded tail rotor, innovations associated with designers from Sud Aviation and engineers who later worked on Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma projects. Powered initially by the Turbomeca Astazou turboshaft and later by other Turbomeca engines in some marks, its semi-monocoque fuselage and slender fuselage improved speed and visibility for observation roles. Avionics suites in military versions incorporated sights and radios from suppliers tied to Thales Group and earlier French electronics manufacturers; armament installations allowed for anti-tank missiles such as the HOT missile on some export configurations and door-mounted machine guns used by operators like Royal Air Force and Syrian Arab Army. The Gazelle emphasized agility and low acoustic signature, traits valued in roles assigned by forces like the West German Army and Italian Army.
The Gazelle saw varied service from 1973 onward. In Falklands War contexts, British Gazelles supported British Army operations, while in the Lebanon Civil War and Iran–Iraq War Gazelles were employed by multiple combatants for reconnaissance and light strike tasks. During conflicts such as the Gulf War and interventions in Balkans operations, Gazelles performed liaison, casualty evacuation, and reconnaissance missions alongside types like the Boeing AH-64 Apache and Mil Mi-24. Peacetime roles included police support in France and Portugal, training at establishments linked to Royal Navy Air Station Yeovilton and other air bases, and VIP transport for institutions including monarchies like Jordan and state services in Saudi Arabia.
Several main variants were produced, including the SA 341 and SA 342 series developed by Aérospatiale and license-built SA 341 by Westland Helicopters in the United Kingdom. Export and armed versions included the SA 342M anti-tank variant fitted with HOT missile launchers for users such as France and Spain, the SA 341G for general utility, and upgraded civil models that received Turbomeca engine enhancements and avionics packages influenced by firms such as Sagem and Thales Group. Licensed or locally modified Gazelles appeared in fleets of Iraq, Libya, Yemen, and Chile, with adaptations for hot-and-high conditions, reconnaissance pods, and weapon pylons.
Major state operators included the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT), British Army Air Corps, Royal Air Force, Portuguese Air Force, Spanish Army Airmobile Intervention Force, Qatar Emiri Air Force, and numerous African states such as Gabon and Cameroon. Middle Eastern operators comprised Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. Several South American services, including Chile, fielded Gazelles in both utility and armed roles. Civil and police use included air units in France and Portugal, and private operators conducted aerial work, patrol, and training.
Typical specifications (SA 341/342 series, approximate): - Crew: 1–2 (pilot, observer/gunner) - Capacity: up to 3 passengers or mission equipment - Length: ~10.5 m - Rotor diameter: ~10.8 m - Height: ~2.9 m - Empty weight: ~850 kg - Max takeoff weight: ~1,600–1,900 kg depending on variant - Powerplant: single Turbomeca Astazou turboshaft (~500–700 shp variants) or uprated Turbomeca engines in later marks - Maximum speed: ~310 km/h (varies by mark) - Range: ~670 km ferry range, operational radius lesser depending on load - Armament (selected variants): up to 4 ATGMs such as HOT missile, machine guns, rocket pods
Gazelles have been involved in combat losses and peacetime accidents across operators. Notable combat incidents include shootdowns during the Falklands War and attrition in the Iran–Iraq War and Gulf War where airframes were lost to ground fire and air-to-air engagements. Accidents in non-combat contexts occurred during training at sites like RAF Shawbury and civilian operations leading to investigations by authorities such as Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses and equivalent national accident boards. Operator-specific mishaps include crashes in Jordan and Saudi Arabia resulting in both aircrew fatalities and subsequent fleet reductions or upgrades.
Category:Helicopters