The Alouette II was the first production helicopter to use a gas turbine engine instead of the conventional heavier piston powerplant.
- Role: Light helicopter
- National origin: France
- Manufacturer: Sud Aviation / Aérospatiale
- First flight: 12 March 1955
- Introduction: 2 May 1957
- Status: Limited Service
- Produced: 1956-1975
- Number built: 1,300+
- Variants: Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama
- Developed into: Aérospatiale Alouette III
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Capacity: Four passengers
- Length: 9.66 m (31 ft 9 in)
- Rotor diameter: 10.20 m (33 ft 6 in)
- Height: 2.75 m (9 ft 0 in)
- Disc area: 81.7 m² (881.4 ft²)
- Empty weight: 895 kg (1,973 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 1,600 kg (3,527 lb)
- Powerplant: One × Turboméca Artouste IIC6 turboshaft, 395 kW (530 hp) derated to 269 kW (460 hp) each.
Performance
- Maximum speed: 185 km/h (100 knots, 115 mph) at sea level
- Cruise speed: 170 km/h (92 knots, 106 mph)
- Range: 565 km (305 nmi, 350 mi)
- Endurance: 4.1 hours
- Service ceiling: 2,300 m (7,545 ft)
- Rate of climb: 4.2 m/s (820 ft/min)
