![]() |
|
An SE.3130 Alouette II (ex-Swiss Air Force) | |
Role | Light helicopter |
---|---|
National origin | France |
Manufacturer | Sud Aviation Aérospatiale |
First flight | 12 March 1955 |
Introduction | 2 May 1957 |
Status | Limited service |
Primary users | French Army French Air Force German Army Swiss Air Force |
Produced | 1956–1975 |
Number built | 1,300+ |
Variants | Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama |
Developed into | Aérospatiale Alouette III |
The Aérospatiale Alouette II (French pronunciation: [alwɛt], "lark"; company designations SE 313 and SA 318) is a French light helicopter originally manufactured by Sud Aviation and later Aérospatiale. It was the first production helicopter powered by a gas turbine engine instead of the heavier conventional piston powerplant.
The Aérospatiale Alouette II is a French light helicopter, incorporating many innovations of its time. It was powered by a single Turbomeca Artouste II turboshaft engine capable of generating a maximum output of 400 hp. The speed of the main rotor is controlled by an automated fuel supply governor, eliminating the necessity of a twist-grip throttle and a conventional link between the throttle and the collective-pitch. Instead, the Alouette II uses a simple control lever arrangement, which acts to directly regulate the collective-pitch and actuate the governor while immediately and automatically applying the correct level of power to conform with flight condition. Without a clutch, the transmission is considerably simplified in both design and maintenance aspects
Ceiling
Range
Aircraft Speed
Max Crew
|
The Eurocopter EC725 Caracal, now called Airbus Helicopters H225M, is a long-range tactical transport military helicopter developed from the Eurocopter AS532 Cougar.
The EC725 is based on the Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar, improving upon
The EC725 was developed to meet a French Air Force requirement for a specialist helicopter for Combat Search and Rescue operations.