In the postwar years, France was one of the leading countries in the development of military aircraft and guided anti-tank missiles. At a certain stage, French jet fighters on the world arms market were in sharp competition with Soviet and American aircraft. Nowadays, few people remember that the French army in 1955 adopted the SS.10 guided anti-tank missile. The world's first serial ATGM SS.10 was created by specialists of the Nord-Aviation company on the basis of the German Ruhrstahl X-7 and was controlled by wire. In 1956, an improved model, the SS.11, was submitted for testing. The aviation version of this missile received the designation AS.11. The missile with a starting weight of 30 kg had a launch range of 500 m to 3000 m and carried a cumulative warhead weighing 6, 8 kg with armor penetration up to 600 mm of homogeneous armor, which made it possible to guarantee to hit all existing tanks at that time. The peculiarities of the aerodynamic scheme and guidance system predetermined a low flight speed - 190 m / s. Like many other first-generation ATGMs, the rocket was guided manually by the operator, while the burning tracer installed in the tail section had to be visually aligned with the target.
The first experience of using aviation guided anti-tank missiles
The original AS.11 guided missiles were suspended under a transport aircraft with two Dassault MD 311 Flamant piston engines. These vehicles were used by the French Air Force in Algeria for reconnaissance and bombardment of rebel positions. The guidance operator's workplace was in the glazed bow. However, the plane was not very suitable for the role of a carrier of wire-guided missiles. When launched, the flight speed was reduced to 250 km / h. At the same time, any maneuvers were excluded until the end of the missile guidance. The target attack was carried out from a gentle dive, due to a significant error in guidance, the launch range did not exceed 2000 m. Although several warehouses and shelters equipped in caves were destroyed with the help of AS.11 ATGMs launched from an aircraft, it soon became clear that the helicopter was capable of hovering in the air can achieve better results.
The first helicopter to receive guided missiles was the SA.318C Alouette II developed by Sud Aviation (hereinafter Aérospatiale). This lightweight and compact aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 1600 kg is powered by one Turbomeca Artouste IIC6 turboshaft engine with a power of 530 hp. developed in horizontal flight up to 185 km / h. Alueta II could carry up to four wire-guided missiles. The ATGM operator and guidance equipment were located to the left of the pilot. Alouette II helicopters with AS.11 ATGM were used against the rebels in Algeria in conjunction with Sikorsky H-34 and Piasecky H-21 helicopters armed with NAR, 7, 5 - 12, 7-mm machine guns and 20-mm cannons. The targets for the guided missiles were the guerrilla strongholds and the entrances of the caves. In general, the AS.11 carrier helicopters performed well during the hostilities, but they turned out to be very vulnerable even to small arms fire. In connection with this, the most vulnerable parts of the engine were covered with local armor, the fuel tank was protected from leaks in the event of a lumbago and began to be filled with nitrogen, the pilots wore body armor and helmets during combat missions.
Improvement of carriers and guidance system ATGM AS.11
Taking into account the experience of military operations in Algeria, the SA.3164 Alouette III Armee fire support helicopter was created. The helicopter's cockpit was covered with bulletproof armor, the armament included four ATGMs and a movable 7, 5-mm machine gun mount.
The helicopter did not pass the tests, as the installation of body armor worsened the flight performance too much. In addition, the effectiveness of the use of missiles directly depended on the qualifications of the guidance operator. A well-trained operator in "greenhouse" range conditions hit an average of 50% of targets. However, in the course of real hostilities, due to stress and the need to evade shelling from the ground, the launch efficiency did not exceed 30%. Although this result was significantly higher than with the use of unguided missiles, the military demanded an increase in the effectiveness of combat sorties of armed ATGM helicopters.
In the late 1960s, the SA.316В Alouette III helicopter equipped with a semi-automatic missile guidance system entered service. The armament remained the same as on the anti-tank Alouette II - four ATGMs, but the combat effectiveness increased thanks to the introduction of SACLOS equipment and modernized AS.11 Harpon missiles. When launching the rocket, the operator now had enough to keep the target in the crosshair of the sight, and the automation itself brought the rocket to the line of sight.
The flight data of the helicopter has also improved, which in many respects was a further development option for the Alouette II. This machine, with a maximum takeoff weight of 2250 kg, could take a payload of 750 kg. Thanks to the installation of a new turboshaft engine Turbomeca Artouste IIIB with a capacity of 870 hp, the maximum flight speed increased to 210 km / h. In addition to the AS.11 Harpon ATGM, 7, 5-mm machine guns and a 20-mm cannon, the armament could include two heavier AS.12 missiles. with a similar guidance system. The AS.12 aircraft guided missile outwardly resembled an enlarged AS.11 and had a launch weight of 76 kg. With a launch range of up to 7000 m, the missile carried a 28 kg semi-armor-piercing warhead. The main purpose of the UR AS.12 was the destruction of point stationary ground targets and the fight against ships of small displacement. But if necessary, this missile could be used against armored vehicles or the defeat of manpower. For this, the troops were supplied with replaceable cumulative and fragmentation warheads. This, however, does not mean that the target launch range on the tank was greater than on the AS.11 - the primitive guidance system at a distance of more than 3000 m gave too much error. On the external sling, instead of guided weapons, blocks with 68-mm NAR could also be placed.
Helicopter "Gazelle" and its modifications
In 1966, Sud Aviation began work on a light helicopter to replace the Aluet-3. In 1967, the governments of France and Great Britain entered into an agreement on joint development and production. Westland became the British contractor. The helicopter was intended for reconnaissance, communications, transportation of personnel, evacuation of the wounded and transportation of small cargo, as well as for fighting tanks and fire support. The first prototype known as the SA.340 took off on April 7, 1967. Initially, the helicopter used the tail section and transmission from Aluet-2.
Subsequently, the serial machines received an integrated tail rotor (fenestron) and a rigid main rotor from Bolkow. These innovations largely determined the success of the helicopter. Fenestron, although it requires a small increase in power at low speeds, has greater efficiency when flying in cruise mode, and is considered safer. The carrier system, similar to that used on the Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm VO 105 helicopter, demonstrated better reliability, and the composite main rotor blades had a large resource. In addition, such a propeller easily goes into the autorotation mode, which increased the chances of a safe landing in the event of an engine failure. Based on the operating experience of previous models, even at the design stage, ease of use and the minimum cost of the life cycle were laid. The Gazelle was designed so that it could be easily serviced; all bearings did not require additional lubrication during their entire service life. Most of the nodes were quickly accessible. Particular emphasis was placed on achieving minimum maintenance requirements and reducing the helicopter's operating costs. Many components have been designed to last over 700 flight hours, and in some cases 1200 flight hours, before requiring replacement.
In May 1970, the first prototype of the SA.341 helicopter with a Turbomeca Astazou IIIA engine with a power of 560 hp took off. and fenestron. The helicopter demonstrated high speed capabilities, setting two speed records: 307 km / h on the 3 km section and 292 km / h on the 100 km section. From the very beginning, the Gazelle was popular among the flight crew due to its ease of control and high maneuverability. The sleek cab with a large glass area provided excellent visibility. In August 1971, tests of a helicopter with an extended cockpit began. This model, later known as the SA.341F, became the main model in the French armed forces. With a maximum takeoff weight of 1800 kg, a helicopter with two crew members could take three passengers or up to 700 kg of cargo. The maximum flight speed was 310 km / h, cruising speed was 264 km / h. The practical ceiling is 5000 m. The maximum refueling of 735 liters provided a flight range of 360 km.
Gazelle production was carried out in parallel in France and England. A British helicopter built by Westland is known as Gazelle AH. Mk.l. Until 1984, 294 Gazelle helicopters were assembled in England, including 282 for the United Kingdom armed forces. Basically, these were Gazelle AH. Mk.l (SA.341B) - 212 helicopters, training Gazelle HT. Mk.2 (SA.341C), Gazelle NT. Mk. Z (SA.341D), and Gazelle communications helicopters were also produced HCC. Mk4 (SA.341E).
Operation of the Gazelle AH. Mk.l helicopter in the British Army began in December 1974. From the very beginning, it was envisaged to install blocks with 68-mm NAR and 7, 62-mm machine guns. Several of these vehicles were also intended to provide fire support to the British Marines. Later, equipment for night flights appeared on the helicopter. Visually, the British Gazelle AH. Mk.l of the late series differ from the French SA.341F antennas in the bow of the cockpit and an optical observation system above the cockpit.
In June 1972, the commercial version, SA.341G, was certified. This aircraft became the first helicopter to receive permission for commercial use as a one-pilot air taxi in the United States, which significantly contributed to the sales of Gazelles in the civilian market. The military version intended for export is known as the SA.341H.
Since France already had experience in the creation and operation of anti-tank helicopters, it was not difficult to equip the SA.341F helicopter with the available AS.11 and AS.12 guided missile systems with the SACLOS semi-automatic guidance system and the ARX-334 gyro-stabilized sight. Some of the French Gazelles were equipped with a 20-mm M621 cannon with a rate of fire of 800 rounds per minute. This modification received the designation SA.341F Canon. In total, the French army received 170 SA.341F helicopters, of which 40 vehicles were equipped with ATGMs, and 62 vehicles received 20-mm guns, 68 and 81-mm NAR. The helicopters intended for communication, reconnaissance and delivery of light cargo in the doorway could be mounted 7.62 mm machine guns.
In 1971, Yugoslavia acquired a license for the SA.341H helicopter. Initially, a batch of 21 vehicles was purchased from France. Later, the production of helicopters was established at the SOKO plant in Mostar (132 machines were built). In 1982, Yugoslavia began serial assembly of the improved SA.342L modification (about 100 helicopters were produced). Yugoslavian SA.341H received the designation SOKO HO-42 or SA.341H Partizan, its sanitary modification - SOKO HS-42, anti-tank model armed with ATGM - SOKO HN-42M Gama. Since 1982, the serial assembly of the SOKO HN-45M Gama 2 modification (based on SA.342L) began in Yugoslavia. SOKO built 170 SA 342L until 1991. The HN-45M Gama 2 helicopter with the M334 sight, in addition to the Malyutka ATGM, could carry two Strela-2M missiles designed to destroy air targets.
Since the Gazelles were purchased without weapons, Yugoslav engineers equipped the licensed helicopters with Soviet 9K11 Malyutka ATGMs with a launch range of up to 3000 m. The rocket was guided by the operator using a joystick, and was controlled by wire. Armor penetration when hit at a right angle - up to 400 mm. Compared to the AS.11 missiles produced in Yugoslavia under the license of the Malyutka ATGM, it was a simpler and more budgetary option.
It is now impossible to name the exact number of Gazelle vehicles equipped with guided missiles. In 1978, the Franco-German anti-tank missile system of the second generation HOT (fr. Haut subsonique Optiquement teleguide tire d'un Tube - which can be translated as "Optically guided subsonic missile launched from a container tube") entered service. The ATGM developed by the Franco-German consortium Euromissile surpassed the AS.11 Harpon in many respects.
A wire-guided anti-tank missile is launched from a sealed fiberglass transport and launch container. In the process of guiding the rocket, the operator must continuously keep the crosshair of the optical sight on the target, and the IR tracking system displays the rocket after the start on the aiming line. When the ATGM deviates from the aiming line, the commands generated by the electronic equipment are transmitted by wire to the missile board. The received commands are decoded on board and transmitted to the thrust vector control device. All missile guidance operations on the target are performed automatically. Weight TPK with ATGM - 29 kg. The launch mass of the rocket is 23.5 kg. The maximum launch range is up to 4000 m. On the trajectory, the ATGM develops a speed of up to 260 m / s. According to the manufacturer's data, a cumulative warhead weighing 5 kg normally penetrates 800 mm of homogeneous armor, and at a meeting angle of 65 °, armor penetration is 300 mm. But many experts consider the declared characteristics of armor penetration to be overestimated by about 20-25%.
ATGM NOT during major overhauls armed some of the previously built SA.341F helicopters. But the main carriers were the improved modifications of the Gazelle - SA.342M and SA.342F2. Since 1980, more than 200 copies have been delivered, armed with four NOT ATGMs with an ARX-379 gyro-stabilized sight mounted above the cockpit. The models SA.342L and SA.342K (for hot climates) were supplied for export. The SA.342F2 helicopter received an improved fenestron and an 870 hp Turbomeca Astazou XIV engine. To reduce the likelihood of being hit by missiles with a thermal homing head, a special deflector appeared on the engine. The maximum take-off weight is 2000 kg. The maximum speed in level flight is up to 310 km / h. With a fuel tank capacity of 745 liters, the ferry range is 710 km. Weapons weighing up to 500 kg could be placed on the external nodes.
The armament may include: two 70-mm NAR blocks, two AS.12 air-to-ground missiles, four Hot ATGMs, two 7.62-mm machine guns or one 20-mm cannon. The network has an image of Gazelle combat helicopters with a six-barreled 7, 62-mm M134 Minigun machine gun.
In the early 1990s, the avionics of the helicopter underwent modernization and a Vivian night vision sight was introduced into its composition. For the Gulf War, 30 helicopters were converted into SA 342M / Celtic with a pair of Mistral air-to-air missiles on the port side and an SFOM 80 sight.
Combat use of Gazelle helicopters
Gazelle helicopters have been supplied to the armed forces of more than 30 states. Until 1996, more than 1,700 helicopters of various modifications were built in France, Great Britain and Yugoslavia. Light combat "Gazelles" enjoyed success in the world arms market. In the late 1970s - early 1980s, this car had few competitors in terms of price-quality ratio. In 1982, a helicopter equipped with a "Hot" ATGM was offered to buyers for $ 250 thousand. For comparison, the American Bell AH-1 Huey Cobra combat helicopter at that time cost about $ 2 million. Despite the relatively low cost, the anti-tank "Gazelle" possessed high enough flight data for that time. In terms of maneuverability, the light combat helicopter was superior to the American Cobra and the Soviet Mi-24. However, the Gazelle had almost no armor, in this regard, the pilots had to make combat missions in body armor and titanium helmets. But this helicopter was not considered as an attack aircraft from the very beginning. To combat tanks, appropriate tactics were developed. After detecting enemy armored vehicles, the pilot, taking advantage of the uneven terrain and natural shelters, had to covertly approach it, and after hitting the target, retreat as quickly as possible. The most optimal was a surprise attack due to the folds of the terrain with a short (20-30 s) rise to launch a rocket and hovering at an altitude of 20-25 m. elimination of such "wedges", or the attack of tanks moving on the march as part of a column, it was supposed to inflict flank strikes. Unguided missiles and small arms and cannon weapons were supposed to be used against small enemy units or in the elimination of air and sea landings that did not have anti-aircraft installations. The helicopters armed with 20-mm cannons and air-to-air missiles were supposed to fight enemy attack helicopters and conduct a defensive air battle with enemy fighters.
"Gazelles" of various modifications have been used quite successfully in many conflicts. By 1982, Syria had 30 SA.342K with old AS-11 ATGM and 16 SA.342L equipped with HOT guided missiles. All Syrian SA.342K / Ls were brought together in a helicopter brigade, which managed to cause a lot of trouble for the Israelis.
In the summer of 1982, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Peace for Galilee in Lebanon. The goal of the Israelis was to eliminate the armed formations of the PLO in southern Lebanon. At the same time, the Israeli command hoped that Syria would not intervene in the hostilities. However, after parts of the regular Syrian army got involved in the conflict, the confrontation between Israel and the Palestinians faded into the background.
The main task of the Syrian units, which were seriously inferior in number and training to the Israeli group, was the destruction of the advancing armored vehicles. The situation of the Israelis was complicated by the fact that their equipment literally blocked most of the roads along which the offensive was carried out. In these conditions, taking into account the difficult terrain, "Gazelles", armed with ATGMs, were almost ideal. Judging by the archival documents, the first attack of a flight of anti-tank helicopters took place on June 8 in the area of Mount Jabal Sheikh. In several days of fierce fighting, according to Syrian data, Gazelles, which flew more than 100 sorties, managed to knock out 95 units of Israeli equipment, including 71 tanks. Other sources give more realistic figures: about 30 tanks, including Merkava, Magakh-5 and Magakh-6, 5 M113 armored personnel carriers, 3 trucks, 2 artillery pieces, 9 M-151 jeeps and 5 tankers. It is not known whether helicopters armed with AS-11 ATGMs were used in the fighting, or whether all Israeli equipment was hit by Hot missiles. Despite their own losses, the Gazelle anti-tank helicopters performed well in the 1982 war even against such a serious enemy as Israel. Sudden attacks by Syrian light anti-tank helicopters kept the Israelis on their toes. This led to the fact that the calculations of the Israeli 20-mm anti-aircraft guns "Volcano" fired at any helicopter that was in their range. There is information that "friendly fire" hit at least one anti-tank Israeli helicopter Hughes 500MD.
In turn, the Israelis claim 12 destroyed Gazelles. The loss of four SA.342s has been documented. At the same time, two helicopters made an emergency landing in the territory occupied by Israeli forces, and were subsequently taken out, restored and used in the Israeli Air Force.
As a result of the combat use of SA.342K / L in 1982, Syria additionally acquired 15 helicopters in 1984. As of 2012, three dozen Syrian Gazelles remained in service, including the fairly old SA.342K with rare AS.11 missiles. In 2014, these helicopters took part in the defense of Tabka airbase. However, in a civil war, the more protected Mi-24, capable of carrying powerful small arms and cannon weapons and a large number of unguided missiles, is much more suitable for actions against the Islamists. Nevertheless, it is likely that the Syrian Air Force still has several Gazelles capable of taking off.
During the Iranian-Iraqi war during the Iranian-Iraqi war, the Gazelles together with the Mi-25 (export version of the Mi-24D) attacked Iranian troops. But the tactics of using combat helicopters of Soviet and French production were different. The well-protected and faster Mi-25 mainly provided fire support, firing 57-mm unguided C-5 rockets at enemy positions. Although ATGM "Phalanx" and "Hot" had approximately the same launch range and missile flight speed, the guidance equipment of the French complex was more advanced. In addition, the warhead of the Hot missile had a higher armor penetration. Although the Hot ATGMs of the first series had reliability problems, the Iraqis found the French missiles more suitable for fighting tanks. Since the SA.342 Gazelle was not covered by armor and could easily be hit even with small arms, the Gazelle crews, whenever possible, tried to launch missiles, being over the location of their own troops or over neutral territory outside the range of enemy anti-aircraft guns.
Along with the Soviet Mi-24 and the American AH-1 Cobra, the Gazelle anti-tank helicopter has become one of the most frequently used in combat. In the 1980s, Lebanese Air Force helicopters took an active part in the civil war. Around the same time, 24 Moroccan SA-342Ls were fighting the armored vehicles of the Front Polisario units. It is believed that the Gazelle crews in Western Sahara managed to destroy up to 20 T-55 tanks and about three dozen vehicles.
British Gazelle AH. Mk.l supported the actions of the 3rd Marine Brigade during the Falklands War. They struck with 68-mm NAR, conducted reconnaissance and evacuated the wounded. At the same time, two helicopters were shot down by Argentine anti-aircraft fire. One Gazelle was hit by a Sea Dart anti-aircraft missile launched from the British destroyer HMS Cardiff Type 42. In this case, four people on board the helicopter were killed.
During the August 2-4, 1990 invasion of Kuwait, an Iraqi SA.342 Gazelle was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. The Kuwaiti side lost 9 helicopters, another one was captured by Iraqi troops. Seven Kuwaiti Gazelles were evacuated to Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, in the course of the campaign to liberate their country, they flew about 100 sorties without loss. In the same war, the French lost three Gazelles, and the British lost one.
After the collapse of Yugoslavia, Gazelle helicopters were at the disposal of Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia. During the armed conflicts, at least four helicopters were lost. The first was shot down on June 27, 1991 during the ten-day war in Slovenia. This vehicle fell victim to the Strela-2M MANPADS.
In 1990, France handed over 9 SA.342M to the Rwandan government. In 1992, during the interethnic conflict, helicopters attacked the positions of the Rwandan Patriotic Front. The Rwandan Gazelles have wrecked tanks and armored vehicles. In October 1992, the crew of one helicopter, during the attack of a convoy of armored vehicles, managed to destroy six armored vehicles.
Ecuadorian SA.342s provided fire support to ground units, escorted transport helicopters and conducted aerial reconnaissance during the Peru-Ecuadorian conflict in 1995.
In 2012, another Tuareg uprising began in Mali. Soon, radical Islamists prevailed among the leadership of the rebels, and France intervened in the matter. To support the government army of Mali, French military aviation was used, including helicopters. During Operation Serval, which began on January 11, 2013 in the north of the country, Gazelle combat helicopters attacked enemy positions and columns. During the hostilities, one helicopter was shot down by small arms fire, and several more were damaged. In this case, one pilot was killed, three more were injured. In this conflict, the fact was once again confirmed that a light combat helicopter is able to avoid being hit by anti-aircraft fire, operating guided missiles "from ambush" in the folds of the terrain, or to launch over the location of its troops. In any case, even a short stay of a very vulnerable vehicle in the range of small arms is fraught with heavy losses. It is difficult to say why the French command decided not to use modern Tiger HAP fire support helicopters, which, according to advertising data, are capable of withstanding 12.7 mm bullets.
The current status of Gazelle helicopters
Currently, most of the "Gazelles" have exhausted their resource. According to reference data, helicopters of this type are available in the armed forces of Angola, Burundi, Gabon, Cameroon, Cyprus, Qatar, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and Syria. Although the British Air Force and Navy have already decommissioned all Gazelles, the British Army Air Corps (Army Aviation) still has several helicopters. It is reported that these vehicles were actively used in Afghanistan for communications and surveillance. At the same time, the technical readiness factor was higher than that of other helicopters.
After the losses incurred in Mali, the French armed forces abandoned the use of the Gazelle as an anti-tank and fire support helicopter. Currently, the French SA.342M are limitedly used for communications, training and delivery of small loads. Taking into account the fact that the age of all SA.342 has already exceeded 20 years, their cancellation is a matter of the near future.
