About the helicopter Super Frelon SA321G

Built by Aerospatiale, the Super Frelon SA 321 G was delivered for the first time at the flotilla 32F to 1970 and the fleet 33F in 1979 (by getting those of 27S after its dissolution Hao in the Pacific in 1978). With a weight of 13 tons at full load, it is classified as medium multipurpose helicopter tonnage.

It is an amphibious helicopter, triturbine which combine the qualities of power, security and reliability. Its carrying capacity is exceptional: 27 commandos sitting or lying wounded 15 or 2 jeeps for 22m3 internal support and 4.5 tons in charge suspended. The load floor is through a rear loading ramp.

It is equipped with radar navigation and search, a rescue winch 50m; stationary setting can be done automatically. Its main armament is a 20mm cannon. It is also equipped with rocket flares, a night vision system, a laser designator and a PLS (Personal Locator System). The in-flight refueling (HIFR) can be made from any platform helicopter of a NATO building.

Since 2003, the mission of Super Frelon backup is essentially the sea. A rate of 50 to 55 rescues a year, the helicopter is able to provide assistance within a radius of 180 nautical (320 km), until full Environment Bay of Biscay. Sept rescues carried out in ten at night, half of them involving fishermen seriously ill or injured.

Super Frelon was sold for export to Israel, South Africa, Libya, China and Iraq.

An autopilot allows the Super Frelon to perform its missions in all weather, day or night. A calculator coupled to the autopilot allows the taking and holding of hovering over the water without manual intervention by the crew. Navigation aids are composed of several wireless (radio compasses, TACAN, VOR-DME and ILS), an autonomous navigation system Crouzet type 410, a GPS and a radar OMERA ORB 32W.

Of qualified flight crews with night vision binoculars, use equipment for intensifying light for night flights by stellar light or at very low altitude. This process allows to land on military buildings at the traffic lights or masked commandos to recover cluster for example.