Sud-Aviation
Aérospatiale Alouette III
The Aérospatiale Alouette III is a light, single‑engine helicopter that entered service in 1964, originally built by the French company Sud‑Aviation before the merger that created Aérospatie. Designed as a larger, more powerful successor to the Alouette II, the Alouette III featured a Turbomeca Artouste IIIB turboshaft engine delivering 550 shp, a spacious cabin for up to seven occupants, and a fully articulated three‑blade main rotor. Its robust airframe, high‑altitude capability, and excellent maneuverability made it suitable for a wide range of roles, including liaison, medical evacuation, search‑and‑rescue, and anti‑terrorist operations. Throughout the Cold War the type served with the French Armed Forces, the German Bundeswehr, the Indian Air Force, and numerous African and Asian militaries, accumulating more than 6,000 flight hours per aircraft in harsh environments such as the Himalayas and the Sahara. The Alouette III’s reliability and low operating cost set new standards for utility helicopters and influenced later designs like the SA 315 Béarn and the AS‑350 Ecureuil. Its long production run—over 1,300 units—testifies its lasting impact on both military and civilian aviation. Even after its official retirement from many armed forces, refurbished Alouettes continue to operate in private and commercial sectors, supporting mountain tourism, offshore transport, and aerial work, confirming the type’s enduring versatility.
