• Role: Light utility helicopter
• National origin: France
• Manufacturer: Sud Aviation, Aérospatiale
• First flight: 28 February 1959
• Introduction: 1960
• Status: Active
• Produced: 1961-1985
• Number built: 2,000+

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 5 passengers
• Length: 10.03 m (32 ft 10¾ in)
• Main rotor diameter: 11.02 m (36 ft 1¾ in)
• Height: 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in)
• Main rotor area: 95.38 m² (1026 ft²)
• Empty weight: 1,143 kg (2,520 lb)
• Gross weight: 2,200 kg (4,850 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Turbomeca Artouste IIIB turboshaft, 649 kW (870 shp) derated to 425 kW (570 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 210 km/h (130 mph)
• Cruising speed: 185 km/h (115 mph)
• Range: 540 km (335 miles)
• Service ceiling: 3,200 m (10,500 ft)
• Rate of climb: 4.3 m/s (850 ft/min)

Aerospatiale SA-316B Alouette III M-3 Belgium – Navy