TheAérospatiale Gazelle(company designationsSA 340,SA 341andSA 342) is a French five-seathelicopter, commonly used for light transport, scouting and light attack duties. It is powered by a single Turbomeca Astazou turbine engine and was the first helicopter to feature a fenestron tail instead of a conventional tail rotor. It was designed by Sud Aviation, laterAérospatiale, and manufactured in France and the United Kingdom through a joint production agreement with Westland Aircraft. Further manufacturing under license was performed by SOKO in Yugoslavia and the Arab British Helicopter Company (ABHCO) in Egypt.

Since being introduced to service in 1973, the Gazelle has been procured and operated by a number of export customers. It has also participated in numerous conflicts around the world, including by Syria during the 1982 Lebanon War, byRwandaduring the Rwandan Civil War in the 1990s, and by numerous participants on both sides of the 1991Gulf War. In French service, the Gazelle has been supplemented as an attack helicopter by the larger Eurocopter Tiger, but remains in use primarily as a scout helicopter.

The Gazelle originated in a French Army requirement for a lightweight observation helicopter intended to replace theAérospatiale Alouette III; early on in the aircraft’s development, the decision was taken to enlarge the helicopter to enable greater versatility and make it more attractive for the export market.^[2]In 1966, Sud Aviation began working on a light observation helicopter to replace itsAlouette IIwith seating for five people.^[3]The first prototype SA 340 flew for the first time on 7 April 1967, it initially flew with a conventional tail rotor taken from the Alouette II. The tail was replaced in early 1968 with the distinctive fenestron tail on the second prototype.^[3][4]Four SA 341 prototypes were flown, including one for British firm Westland Helicopters. On 6 August 1971, the first production Gazelle conducted its first flight.^[4]On 13 May 1967, a Gazelle demonstrated its speed capabilities when two separate world speed records were broken on a closed course, achieving speeds of 307 km/h over 3 kilometres and 292 km/h over 100 kilometres.^[5]

Early on, the Gazelle had attracted British interest, which would culminate in the issuing of a major joint development and production work share agreement between Aerospatiale and Westland. The deal, signed in February 1967, allowed the production in Britain of 292 Gazelles and 48 Aérospatiale Pumas ordered by the British armed forces; in return Aérospatiale was given a work share in the manufacturing programme for the 40 Westland Lynx naval helicopters for the French Navy. Additionally, Westland would have a 65% work share in the manufacturing, and be a joint partner to Aérospatiale on further refinements and upgrades to the Gazelle. Westland would produce a total of 262 Gazelles of various models, mainly for various branches of the British armed forces, Gazelles for the civil market were also produced.^[6][7]

In service with the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT), the Gazelle is used primarily as an anti-tank gunship (SA 342M) armed with Euromissile HOT missiles. A light support version (SA 341F) equipped with a 20 mm cannon is used as well as anti-air variants carrying the Mistral air-to-air missile (Gazelle Celticbased on theSA 341F,Gazelle Mistralbased on theSA 342M). The latest anti-tank andreconnaissanceversions carry the Viviane thermal imagery system and so are calledGazelle Viviane.^[8]The Gazelle is being replaced in frontline duties by the Eurocopter Tiger, but will continue to be used for light transport and liaison roles.

It also served with all branches of the British armed forces—theRoyal Air Force,Royal Navy(including in support of the Royal Marines) and theBritish Armyin a variety of roles. Four versions of the Gazelle were used by the British forces. TheSA 341Dwas designatedGazelle HT.3in RAF service, equipped as a helicopter pilot trainer (hence HT). TheSA 341Ewas used by the RAF for communications duties and VIP transport as theGazelle HCC.4. TheSA 341Cwas purchased as theGazelle HT.2pilot trainer for the Royal Navy; training variants have been replaced by the Squirrel HT1.^[9]TheSA 341Bwas equipped to a specification for the Army Air Corps as theGazelle AH.1(fromArmyHelicopter Mark1).

The Gazelle proved to be a commercial success, which led Aerospatiale to quickly develop and introduce the SA 342 Gazelle series, which was equipped with uprated powerplants. Licensed production of the type did not just take place in the UK, domestic manufacturing was also conducted by Egyptian firm ABHCO.Yugoslavianproduction by SOKO reportedly produced a total of 132 Gazelles.^[6]As the Gazelle became progressively older, newer combat helicopters were brought into service in the anti-tank role; thus those aircraft previously configured as attack helicopters were often repurposed for other, secondary support duties, such as an Air Observation Post (AOP) for directing artillery fire, airborne forward air controller (ABFAC) to direct ground-attack aircraft, casualty evacuation, liaison, and communications relay missions.^[10]

Originally developed as a replacement to Aérospatiale’sAlouettehelicopter, some aspects of the Gazelle such as its purpose and layout were based on the previous model. The Gazelle featured several important innovations. It was the first helicopter to carry a fenestron or fantail; this is a shrouded multi-blade anti-torque device housed internally upon the vertical surface of the Gazelle’s tail, which replaces a conventional tail rotor entirely.^[4]The fenestron, while requiring a small increase in power at slow speeds, has advantages such as being considerably less vulnerable and with low power requirements during cruise speeds, and has been described as “far more suitable for high-speed flight”.^[11][12]The fenestron is likely to have been one of the key advances that allowed the Gazelle to become the world’s fastest helicopter in its class.^[1]

The main rotor system was originally based upon the rigid rotor technology developed by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm for the MBB Bo 105; however, due to control problems experienced while at high speeds upon prototype aircraft, the rigid rotor was replaced with a semi-articulated one on production aircraft. The difficulties experienced with the early design of the main rotor was one of the factors contributing to the lengthy development time of the Gazelle.^[13]The individual rotor blades were crafted out of composite materials, primarily composed of fiberglass, and had been designed for an extremely long operational lifespan; composite rotor blades would become a common feature of later helicopters.^[11][14]The main rotor maintains a constant speed in normal flight, and is described as having a “wide range of tolerance” for autorotation.^[15]

The Gazelle is capable of transporting up to five passengers and up to 1,320 pounds of cargo on the underside cargo hook, or alternatively up to 1,100 pounds of freight in 80 cubic feet of internal space in the rear of the cabin. Armed variants would carry up to four HOT (Haut subsonique Optiquement Téléguidé Tiré d’un Tube) wire-guided anti-tank missiles, or a forward firing 20mm cannon mounted to the fuselage sides with its ammunition supply placed in the cabin.^[16]Various optional equipment can be installed upon the Gazelle, such as fittings for engine noise suppression, 53 gallon ferry tanks, a rescue winch capable of lifting up to 390 pounds, emergency flotation gear, particle filter, high landing skids, cabin heater, adjustable landing lights, and engine anti-icing systems.^[17]While the Gazelle had been developed under a military-orientated design programme, following the type’s entry to service increasing attention to the commercial market was paid as well.^[18]The type was marketed to civil customers; notably, civilian operator Vought Helicopters at one point had a fleet of at least 70 Gazelles.^[6][19]Civil-orientated Gazelles often included an external baggage access door mounted beneath the main cabin.^[20]

The Gazelle was the first helicopter to be adapted for single-pilot operations under instrument flight rules. An advanced duplex autopilot system was developed by Honeywell in order to allow the pilot to not be overworked during solo flights; the Gazelle was chosen as the platform to develop this capability as it was one of the faster and more stable helicopters in service at that point and had a reputation for being easy to fly.^[21]The docile flying abilities of the Gazelle are such that it has been reported as being capable of comfortably flying without its main hydraulic system operation at speeds of up to 100 knots.^[22]The flight controls are highly responsive; unusually, the Gazelle lacks a throttle or a trimming system. Hydraulic servo boosters are present on all flight control circuits to mitigate control difficulties in the event of equipment failure.^[19][22]

The Gazelle was designed to be easy to maintain, all bearings were life-rated without need for continuous application of lubrication and most fluid reservoirs to be rapidly inspected.^[22]The emphasis in the design stage of achieving minimal maintenance requirements contributed towards the helicopter’s low running costs; many of the components were designed to have a service life in excess of 700 flying hours, and in some cases 1,200 flight hours, before requiring replacement.^[23]Due to the performance of many of the Gazelle’s subsystems, features pioneered upon the Gazelle such as the fenestron would appear upon later Aerospatiale designs.^[13][24]

As the Gazelle continued to serve into the 21st century, several major modernisation and upgrade programs were undertaken, commonly adding new avionics to increase the aircraft’s capabilities. Aerotec group offered an overhaul package to existing operators, which comprised upgraded ballistic protection, night vision goggles, new munitions including rockets and machine guns, and3Dnavigational displays; as of 2013, Egypt is said to be interested in upgrading their domestically built Gazelles.^[25]QinetiQ developed a Direct Voice Input (DVI) system for the Gazelle, the DVI system enables voice control over many aspects of the aircraft, lowering the demands placed upon the crew.^[26]In September 2011, QinetiQ andNorthrop Grummanproposed outfitting former British Gazelles with autonomous flight management systems derived from the Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout, converting them intounmanned aerial vehicles(UAV)s to meet a Royal Navy requirement for an unmanned maritime aerial platform.^[27]

During the 1980s, China acquired eight SA 342L combat helicopters; these were the first dedicated attack helicopters to be operated by the People’s Liberation Army. The purchase of further aircraft, including licensed production of the aircraft in China, had been under consideration, but this initiative was apparently abandoned following the end of theCold War. The small fleet was used to develop anti-armour warfare tactics, Gazelles have also been frequently used to simulate hostile forces duringmilitary training exercises.^[28]

The French Army have deployed the Gazelle overseas in many large-scale operations, often in support of international military intervention efforts; including in Chad (in the 1980s),^[29]the former Yugoslavia (1990s), Djibouti (1991–1992),^[30]Somalia(1993), Cote d’Ivoire (2002–present) and Afghanistan (2002–present). In 1990–1991, upwards of 50 French Gazelles were deployed as part of France’s contribution to coalition forces during the First Gulf War;^[31]during the subsequent military action, known as Operation Desert Storm, HOT-carrying Gazelles were employed by several nations’ forces, includingKuwait‘s air force, againstIraqimilitary forces occupying neighbouring Kuwait.^[32]During the coalition’s offensive into Kuwait, French Gazelles adopted a tactic of strafing enemy tanks, vehicles, and bunkers in continuous waves at high speed.^[33]

Gazelles have often been dispatched to support and protect UN international missions, such as the 1992 intervention in theBosnian War.^[34]In addition to performing land-based operations, French Gazelles have also been frequently deployed from French naval vessels. In April 2008, witnesses reported up to six French Gazelles reportedly firing rockets upon Somali pirates during a major counter-piracyoperation.^[35]During the 2011 military intervention in Libya, multiple Gazelles were operated from the French Navy’s amphibious assault ship Tonnerre; strikes were launched into Libya against pro-Gadhafi military forces.^[36]

Military interventions in African nations, particularly former French colonies, have often been supported by Gazelles in both reconnaissance and attack roles; nations involved in previous engagements include Chad, Djibouti,Somalia, and the Cote d’Ivoire. In April 2011, as part of a UN-mandated campaign in Côte d’Ivoire, four Gazelle attack helicopters, accompanied by two Mil Mi-24 gunships, opened fire upon the compound of rebel president Gbagbo to neutralise heavy weaponry, which led to his surrender.^[37]In January 2013, Gazelles were used as gunships in the Opération Serval inMali, performing raids upon insurgent forces fighting government forces in the north of the country.^[38][39]

In 2016 the Direction générale de l’armement announced that Gazelle helicopters of French Army Aviation could be equipped with the M134 Minigun. This affected the Gazelles of the4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment(4ème RHFS).^[40]

During theIran–Iraq Warfought throughout most of the 1980s, a significant amount of French-built military equipment was purchased by Iraq, including a fleet of 40, HOT-armed Gazelles.^[41]Iraq reportedly received roughly 100 Gazelle helicopters.^[42]The Gazelle was commonly used in conjunction with Russian-built Mil Mi-24 Hind gunships, and were frequently used in counterattacks against Iranian forces.^[43]By 2000, following significant equipment losses resulting from the 1991Gulf War, Iraq reportedly had only 20 Gazelles left in its inventory.^[44]

In 2003, US intelligence officials alleged that a French firm had continued to sell to Iraq spare components for the Gazelle and other, French-built aircraft, via a third-party trading company despite an embargo being in place.^[45]Eurocopter, Aerospatiale’s successor company, had denied playing any role, stating in 2008 that “no parts have been delivered to Iraq”.^[46]In April 2009, Iraq, as part of a larger military procurement initiative, bought six Gazelles from France for training purposes.^[47]

Syrian Gazelles were used extensively during the 1982 Lebanon War. In the face of a major Israeli ground advance, repetitive harassment attacks were launched by the Gazelles, which were able to slow their advance.^[48]According to author Roger Spiller, panic and a sense of vulnerability quickly spread amongst Israeli tank crews following the first of these Gazelle strikes on 8 June 1982; the range of the Gazelle’s HOT missiles being a key factor in its effectiveness.^[49]The effectiveness of the Syrian helicopter raids was reduced throughout the month of June as Syrian air defenses were progressively eroded and the Israeli Air Force took aerial supremacy over Eastern Lebanon, thus making operations by attack helicopters increasingly vulnerable. However, Gazelle strikes continued to be successfully performed up to the issuing of a ceasefire.^[50]

The 1982 war served to highlight the importance and role of attack helicopters in future conflicts due to their performance on both sides of the conflict.^[51]Following the end of the war, the Syrian Army would claim that significant damage had been delivered against Israeli forces, such as the destruction of 30 tanks and 50 other vehicles, against the loss of five helicopters.^[52]Israel would claim a loss of seven tanks to the Gazelle strikes and the downing of 12 Syrian Gazelles.^[50]Author Kenneth Michael Pollack described the role of Syria’s Gazelle helicopters as being “psychologically effective against the Israelis but did little actual damage. Although they employed good Western-style ‘pop-up’ tactics, the Gazelles were not able to manage more than a few armor kills during the war”.^[53]

Following the end of the war, Syria increased the size of its attack helicopter fleet from 16 to 50 Gazelles, complimented by a further 50 heavier Mil Mi-24 gunships.^[51]Gazelles were also used several times in Syria during its civil war, most recently being seen supporting troops in the Palmyra Offensive using unguided missiles and HOT ATGMs.^[54]

During the 1991Gulf War, roughly 15 Gazelles were able to retreat into neighbouringSaudi Arabia, along with other elements of Kuwait’s armed forces, during the invasion of the nation by Iraq.^[55]During the subsequent coalition offensive to dislodge Iraqi forces from Kuwait, several of the escaped Kuwaiti Gazelles launched attack missions into occupied Kuwait to destroy Iraqi tanks and other, military targets.^[56]

The Gazelle was used by the Ecuadoran Army during the 1995 Cenepa war between Ecuador and neighboring Peru, performing missions such as close air support of ground forces and escorting other helicopters.^[57]In 2008, a minor diplomatic spat broke out between Colombia and Ecuador following a reportedly accidental incursion into Columbian airspace by an Ecuadoran Gazelle.^[58]

In 1973, 142 aircraft were on order by the UK, out of a then-intended fleet of 250.^[59]No. 660 Squadron AAC, based in Salamanca Barracks, Germany, was the first British Army unit to be equipped with Gazelles, entering operational service on 6 July 1974. The Gazelles, replacements for the Sioux, were assigned the roles of reconnaissance, troop deployment, direction of artillery fire, casualty evacuation and anti-tank operations.^[60][61]In August 1974, 30 were based at CFS Tern Hill for RAF helicopter training.^[62]

The Royal Navy’s Gazelles entered service in December 1974 with 705 Naval Air Squadron, Culdrose, to provide all-through flying training in preparation for the Westland Lynx’s service entry. A total of 23 Gazelles were ordered for Culdrose.^[63]Army-owned AH.1s also entered service with 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron (3 CBAS) of the Royal Marines and later, the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) of the Fleet Air Arm, where they operated as utility and reconnaissance helicopters in support of the Royal Marines.^[64]The 12 Gazelles for 3 CBAS had entered service in 1975,^[65]by which time, there were 310 Gazelles on order for the British military.^[66]

Gazelles that had replaced the Siouxs in RAF Sek Kong towards the end of 1974 had been found unsuitable forHong Kongand, by the end of 1975, had been returned to the UK.^[67]During its Cold War service period, the Army Gazelles flew over 660,000 hours and had over 1,000 modifications made to the aircraft. From the early 1980s, Army-operated Gazelles were fitted with the Gazelle Observation Aid, a gyro-stabilised sight to match their target finding capability with that of the Lynx.^[67][68]The type also had a limited, special operations aviation role with 8 Flight Army Air Corps

The type was also frequently used to perform airborne patrols inNorthern Ireland. On 17 February 1978, a British Army Gazelle crashed near Jonesborough, County Armagh, after coming under fire from the Provisional IRA during a ground skirmish.^[69]

During the Falklands War, the Gazelle played a valuable role operating from the flight decks ofRoyal Navyships. Under a rapidly performed crash programme specifically for the Falklands conflict, Gazelles were fitted with 68mm SNEB rocket pods and various other optional equipment such as armour plating, flotation gear and folding blade mechanisms.^[70]Two Royal Marines Gazelles were shot down on the first day of the landings at San Carlos Water.^[71]In a high-profile incident of friendly fire on 6 June 1982, an Army Air Corps Gazelle was mistaken for a low-flying Argentine C-130 Hercules and was shot down by HMSCardiff, a British Type 42 Destroyer.^[72][73]

The Gazelle also operated in reconnaissance and liaison roles during the War in Afghanistan. In 2007, it was reported that, while many British helicopters had struggled with the conditions of the Afghan and Iraqi theatres, the Gazelle was the “best performing model” with roughly 80% being available for planned operations.^[74]

Various branches of the British military have operated Gazelles in other theatres, such as during the 1991Gulf WaragainstIraqand in the 1999 intervention in Kosovo.^[75]While the type was originally intended to be retired in 2012, the Gazelle will continue to be operated in a policing capacity in Northern Ireland until 2018, at which point the Police Service of Northern Ireland is to have the assets to fill this role itself.^[76]

On 22 July 2016 the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that the UK Army Air Corps’ (AAC) AH.1s would remain in service for a further nine years, taking the Gazelle past its 50th anniversary in UK military service and making it the oldest helicopter in active UK inventory. New contracts for in-service support will run from March 2018 to 2025 for the fleet of 34 Gazelles spread between 29 Flight AAC in Canada supporting the Suffield training site, manned aerial surveillance tasks with 5 Regiment AAC at Aldergrove airport in Northern Ireland and special forces support at Middle Wallop in Hampshire. Data released by the MoD in March 2016 showed that some 15 Gazelle were routinely undergoing maintenance and 19 were in daily use.^[77]

On 27 June 1991, during the Ten Day War inSlovenia, a Yugoslav Air Force Gazelle helicopter was shot down by a man-portable SA-7 Grail surface-to-air missile over Ljubljana, the first aircraft to be lost during the breakup of Yugoslavia.^[78]The next day, 28 June 1991, two Slovenian members of the Yugoslav Air Force (pilot Jože Kalan and the technician Bogo Šuštar) deserted from the Yugoslav People’s Army and joined the Slovenian Territorial Defence forces with their helicopter (serial number JLV 12660). The helicopter received a new code number, T-001 Velenje and the Slovenian emblem, and was kept hidden in a private barn until the end of conflict in Slovenia.^[79]The Gazelles would see further action in the subsequentYugoslav Warsand theKosovo War; as Yugoslavia dissolved, the various successor states would inherit the SOKO-built Gazelles and continue to operate them, such as the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbian Air Force and Montenegro Air Force.^[80]

In 1980-81, the Lebanese Air Force received from France ten SA 342L and SA-341H Gazelles equipped for anti-tank and utility roles, respectively, to equip its newly raised 8th attack squadron at Beirut Air Base. Initially based at the latter location, in 1983 the squadron was relocated north of the Lebanese capital, with the Gazelles being dispersed in small improvised helipads around Jounieh and Adma for security reasons, where one of the helicopters may have been damaged in a failed takeoff. Employed extensively in the gunship role by providing close air support to General Michel Aoun’s troops during the final phase of the Lebanese Civil War, combat losses and maintenance problems reduced the Gazelle fleet to just four operational helicopters by 1990,^[81]with three of the machines reportedly being apprehended by the Lebanese Forces militia who illegally sold them to Serbia in 1991.^[82]After the War, the Lebanese Air Force Command made consistent efforts to rebuild its attack helicopter squadron with the help of theUnited Arab Emiratesand nine SA 342L Gazelles formerly in service with theUnited Arab Emirates Air Forcewere delivered in 2007.^[83]Due to budgetary constraints, the majority of the Gazelles operated by the Lebanese Air Force have often been kept in storage outside of times of conflict.^[83]The Gazelles saw combat against the Al Qaeda-inspired Fatah al-Islam militants during the 2007 Lebanon conflict.^[84]Rocket-armed Gazelles were used to strike insurgent bunkers during the brief conflict.^[83]In 2010, a French government official stated that France had offered to provide up to 100 HOT missiles to Lebanon for the Gazelle helicopters.^[85]According to reports, France may also provide additional Gazelles to Lebanon.^[83]

In January 1981, France and Morocco entered into a $4 billion military procurement deal in which, amongst other vehicles and equipment, 24 Gazelle helicopters were to be delivered to Morocco.^[86]The Royal Moroccan Air Force operated these Gazelles, which were equipped with a mix of anti-tank missiles and other ground attack munitions, and made frequent use of the aircraft during battles with Polisario insurgents in the westernSahararegion.^[87]The reconnaissance capabilities of the Gazelle were instrumental in finding and launching attacks upon insurgent camps due to their mobility.^[88]

In 1990, following appeals from Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana for French support in interethnic conflict against the Tutsi Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), nine armed Gazelles were exported to Rwanda in 1992. The Gazelles would see considerable use in the conflict that became known as the Rwandan Civil War, capable of strafing enemy positions as well as performing reconnaissance patrols of Northern Rwanda; in October 1992, a single Gazelle destroyed a column of ten RPF units.^[89]According to author Andrew Wallis, the Gazelle gunships helped to stop significant RPF advances and led to a major change in RPF tactics towards guerrilla warfare.^[90]In 1994, French forces dispatched as a part of Opération Turquoise, aUnited Nations-mandated intervention in the conflict, also operated a number of Gazelles in the theatre.^[91]

As part of a major international initiative formalised in 1975 to build up Arab military industries, Egypt commenced widescale efforts to replace arms imports with domestic production to provide military equipment to the rest of theMiddle East, other Arab partner nations includedSaudi Arabia, theUnited Arab Emirates, andQatar.^[92]Both France and Britain would form large agreements with Egypt; in March 1978, the Arab British Helicopter Company (ABHCO) was formally established in a $595 million deal with Westland Helicopters, initially for the purpose of domestically assembly of British Westland Lynx helicopters.^[93]An initial order for 42 Gazelles was placed in mid-1975.^[94]In the 1980s, ABHCO performed the assembly of a significant number of Gazelles; the British Arab Engine Company also produced engines for Egyptian-build Gazelles.^[95]

According to reports in 1986, large quantities of military equipment had been illicitly channeled from Egypt toSouth Africavia Israel; one such arms shipment is alleged to have included 50 Gazelle helicopters purchased from Egypt by Adnan Khashoggi, an international arms dealer, where they were shipped directly to Israel and then to South Africa, where they were likely used by the South African armed forces.^[96]

Data fromJane’s all the World’s Aircraft 1978–79^[108]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

AvionicsUHF, VHF, and HF radios ; navigation equipment such as VOR and TACAN ; Standard blind flying instruments

There are a large number of Gazelles preserved. In the UK, the following Gazelles are in preservation, either in museums or as “gate guards” at various facilities.^[109]

A further British Gazelle is preserved in Canada:

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists