Prototype SA340 F-WOFH with conventional tail rotor
The SA.341 Gazelle is a single turbine engine, five-seat helicopter originally designed by Sud Aviation and produced by Aerospatiale. The original SA.340 first flew on April 7, 1967 with the conventional tail rotor of the Alouette II. In 1968, the second prototype introduced the distinctive fenestron.
Its origin trace back to a French Army requirement for a lightweight utility helicopter. The Gazelle was part of the 1967 Franco-British Agreement to licence production that also included the Puma and Lynx. It was also assembled by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt.
The SA.342 is fitted with the more powerful Astazou XIV engine. Almost 1800 units built until production ended in 1996.
Its origin trace back to a French Army requirement for a lightweight utility helicopter. The Gazelle was part of the 1967 Franco-British Agreement to licence production that also included the Puma and Lynx. It was also assembled by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt.
The SA.342 is fitted with the more powerful Astazou XIV engine. Almost 1800 units built until production ended in 1996.
Gazelle News |
Barkhane: Force’ 3D Capabilities in Action
28-Jun-19 - French forces deployed in Mali for operation Barkhane, took part of operation ACONIT at the Malian-Nigerian border against armed terrorist groups (GAT) #Force3D
Fenestron 50th Anniversary
12-Apr-18 - Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the enclosed tail rotor Fenestron . On April 1968 the Sud Aviation SA340 Gazelle second prototype first took to the skies at Marignane, France
UK Gazelle Support Contract Through 2022
08-Mar-18 - Vector Aerospace, a StandardAero company, to provide maintenance support for the 26 UK Army Air Corps Gazelle at Fleetlands between April 2018 and June 2022
Airbus Celebrated Gazelle’s 50th Anniversary
25-Apr-17 - Airbus Helicopters celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Gazelle’s maiden flight during a conference at the museum of aviation in St Victoret, near the company headquarters at Marignane, France
50th Anniversary of Gazelle’s First Flight
07-Apr-17 - 50 years ago, the Sud Aviation SA340 Gazelle made its 1st flight with an Astazou engine| More News ... |  |
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Derivatives & Versions of Gazelle |
| Model | Year | History |
|---|---|---|
| SA340 Gazelle 1967 | 1967 | |
| SA341B Gazelle AH.1 1972 | 1972 | Westland built version for the British Army and Royal Marines. 212 built. Featured the Astazou IIIN engine, a nightsun searchlight and Decca Dopp ... |
| SA341C Gazelle HT.2 1972 | 1972 | training version built by Westland for the Royal Navy |
 Soko Gazelle 1973 | 1973 | Local designations former Yugoslavia. HI-42 = recce HN-42 = anti tank HO-42 = utility HS-42 = rescue  More than 160 SA341 and SA342 Gazelle were produced under license by the Soko plant in Mostar from 1971 to 1991 |
| SA341D Gazelle HT.3 1973 | 1973 | training version built by Westland for the RAF |
| SA341F Gazelle 1973 | 1973 | version for the French Army. 170 built by Aerospatiale to replace the Alouette 2. 40 converted to SA341M equipped with HOT 1 antitank missiles an ... |
| SA341G Gazelle 1973 | 1973 | Civil variant powered by an Astazou IIIA engine. The SA341G was the first helicopter to obtain single-pilot IFR Cat 1 approval in the US. Cabin ... |
| SA341H Gazelle 1973 | 1973 | Military export variant powered by an Astazou IIIB engine including a license built in Yugoslavia by SOKO |
| SA342K Gazelle 1973 | 1973 | Military version of the SA342J powered by Astazou XIV engine and shrouds over the air intakes for Kuwait |
| SA341E Gazelle HCC.4 1976 | 1976 | VIP version by Westland for the RAF to be used by 32 Squadron. One Built and three converted |
| SA342J Gazelle 1980 | 1980 | Civil version powered by Astazou XIV engine |
| SA342L Gazelle 1980 | 1980 | Military version of the SA342J powered by Astazou XIV engine |
| SA342M Gazelle 1980 | 1980 | Military version of the SA342J powered by Astazou XIV engine for France. Fitted with 4 HOT anti-tank missiles |
| SA342M1 Gazelle 1985 | 1985 | Similar to SA342M but with the three Ecureuil main blades to improve performance |
