SA.341F Gazelle

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This page is about the French utility helicopter SA.341F Gazelle. For other versions, see Gazelle (Family).
SA.341F Gazelle
sa_341f.png
GarageImage SA.341F Gazelle.jpg
SA.341F Gazelle
AB RB SB
9.0 9.0 9.7
Research:370 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:990 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The SA.341F Gazelle was a light support helicopter designed to serve the French Army's helicopter fleet, providing reconnaissance, fire support, and transport capabilities. The SA.341F was powered by a single Astazou IIIC turboshaft engine, which gave it high performance and agility. It had a standard armament of an M621 20 mm cannon mounted externally which could fire up to 750 rounds per minute. The SA.341F could also be fitted with two Mistral air-to-air missiles on the side stub wings, creating the "Gazelle Celtic" variant for self-defense and air superiority missions. The SA.341F had a maximum speed of 310 km/h, a range of 670 km, and a service ceiling of 6,000 m, making it suitable for various operational environments and missions.

It was introduced in Update 1.87 "Locked On". The Gazelle is a versatile helicopter that can perform different roles depending on the loadout. It can destroy tanks with ATGMs or rockets, or shoot down aircraft or helicopters with AAMs and cannon. It relies on stealth and cover to avoid detection and enemy fire, as it has no radar warning receiver and limited armour.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 0 m306 km/h
Max altitude5 000 m
EngineTurbomeca Astazou IIIB
Power530 hp
Take-off weight2 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
Max altitude
(metres)
AB RB
Stock 285 268 5000
Upgraded 330 306

Survivability and armour

Crew2 people
Speed of destruction
Structural310 km/h
Gear320 km/h

Has no armour plating present on the vehicle, this helicopter is incredibly vulnerable to all types of fire. The exposed engine is also vulnerable to being damaged or set alight, dooming the helicopter if hit.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB9 964 → 13 561 Sl icon.png
RB3 051 → 4 152 Sl icon.png
SB5 762 → 7 842 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications288 000 Rp icon.png
431 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 400 Ge icon.png
Crew training280 000 Sl icon.png
Experts990 000 Sl icon.png
Aces2 200 Ge icon.png
Research Aces890 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
100 / 300 / 430 % Sl icon.png
214 / 214 / 214 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
21 000 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods cd 98 main rotor.png
Replacing helicopter blades
Research:
22 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
33 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
24 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
36 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods heli flak jacket.png
Flak jacket
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
21 000 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods heli structure.png
Helicopter frame
Research:
22 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
33 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
47 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
70 000 Sl icon.png
760 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
t_160_belt_pack
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
21 000 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods heli false thermal targets.png
Flares/Chaff
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
21 000 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods atgm heli preset.png
HOT-2
Research:
22 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
33 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods weapon.png
t_160_new_gun
Research:
24 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
36 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods night vision device.png
NVD
Research:
24 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
36 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods air to air missile.png
ATAM
Research:
47 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
70 000 Sl icon.png
760 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Night vision devices
Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.

Offensive armament

The SA.341F Gazelle is armed with:

  • A choice between two presets:
    • Without offensive armament
    • 32 x countermeasures

Suspended armament

The SA.341F Gazelle can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • 1 x 20 mm GIAT M.621 cannon (240 rpg) + 7 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
  • 1 x 20 mm GIAT M.621 cannon + 2 x HOT-1 missiles
  • 1 x 20 mm GIAT M.621 cannon + 2 x HOT-2 TOW missiles
  • 1 x 20 mm GIAT M.621 cannon + 2 x Mistral missiles

Usage in battles

This helicopter has three main playstyles, centred around the selected loadout.

  • Anti-Tank: Using ATGMs, get within 4 km of a target, while remaining hidden by trees or buildings, and guide your missile to the target. Focus on tanks without reactive armour, as they may render your missiles ineffective, and waste your time. After expending your missiles, it is best to return to the helipad and resupply.
  • Rocketeer: Using unguided rockets, fly low over the battlefield and assault a single tank with a precise salvo, and then retreat behind cover.
  • Air defence: Using AAMs, sneak behind enemy lines, and land in an obscured area, or behind cover, and wait for aircraft or helicopters to get near your allies. Then surprise attack them with your missiles and cannon fire. This will make short work of any helicopter, and most slow-flying aircraft.

Overall, you want to avoid direct line-of-sight to your enemies, as they likely can spot you faster than you can spot them, and engage you at longer range. Surface-to-air missiles are a serious threat, as they can take you by surprise, and you have no radar detector to warn you of their presence. The same applies to radar-guided anti-aircraft guns.

In Helicopter Battles [PvE] the Gazelle is notably better than either of the two preceding helicopters, finally unlocking AAMs with a greater range (5.5km) than 3/4km ATGMs. However, due to the limited armament (2 missiles), the Gazelle is limited to strafing ground targets and trying to lock onto enemy planes.

Notable Enemies:

  • Mi-28N, Mi-24P, Mi-24V: Due to the gazelle's lack of a MAW system, it is still possible to shoot it down with the AAMs these helicopters carry. Their Armor also means that it is harder for you to shoot them down in return.
  • Ka-50, Ka-52: Both can outrange you, meaning that killing one is the result of their mistakes
  • EC-665 Tiger UHT: Similar to the Ka-50, the Tiger has access to IR-guided ATGMS with long range.
  • AH-1: Highly manoeuvrable with a high volume of fire, the Cobra family of helicopters is incredibly good at dogfighting. Engage from long range, or use superior speed to flee.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • One of the smallest helicopters, easier to hide, and harder to hit at high speed
  • 20 mm autocannon for engaging aircraft and lightly-armoured vehicles
  • Respectable ammo count for the cannon
  • Mistral air-to-air missiles
  • Has access to flares and night vision optics
  • Can be equipped with HOT-1 and HOT-2 AGMs

Cons:

  • Surprisingly hard to manoeuvre at speed, and has a tendency to over-roll
  • No armour, easy to damage critical components and eliminate crew
  • No thermal sights
  • Starts off with one of the weakest stock loadouts for helicopters
  • Fixed forward cannon is hard to get on target
  • Very low unguided rocket count
  • High aim angle for rockets, the crosshair get out of screen when zoomed
  • Can only equip one type of missile at a time; AGM or AAM
  • Carries only two of each missile

History

The Aerospatiale SA.341 was developed to meet a French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) requirement for a new observation helicopter to replace the Alouette II. Aerospatiale designated the project as X 300, but the prototype's designation was SA.340.

The prototype first flew in 1967, and it seemed outwardly similar to the Alouette II. It did use the Astazou II powerplant and transmission system, but there were a number of differences. For one thing, it introduced a fully enclosed fuselage and a cockpit with seating and controls for two pilots rather than one (although it could be flown by only one). Also introduced on the SA.340 were the fenestron - a shrouded tail rotor - and the Bolkow-type main rotor.

The British became interested in the project as the SA.340 was nearing completion, so a joint development and production sharing agreement was signed on 22 February 1967; it was officially confirmed in 1968. The first prototype (SA.340.001) flew for the first time on 7 April 1967, and the second prototype first flew in April 1968.

Four pre-production aircraft, redesignated as the SA.341, were built next. The third pre-production SA.341 was built to British Army requirements and was then shipped to Britain for testing as the AH.Mk.1. Notably, the first pre-production SA.341 established three new speed records for helicopters of its class on 14 May 1970.

On 6 August 1971, the first French production SA.341 (SA.341.1001) was cleared for test flights. The production version had a longer fuselage, a larger tail, and a more powerful Astazou IIIA engine.

The SA.341F Gazelle was a French Military light support version of the SA.341 Gazelle, which had the improved Astazou IIIC engine. 166 were produced, and many were armed with a GIAT 20 mm M.621 cannon in a nose turret. They could be armed with rocket pods, Euromissile HOT anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), or Mistral air-to-air missiles (AAMs). A number of SA.341F Gazelles remain in service with the ALAT.

Media

Skins
Images

See also

Related development
Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links


Aérospatiale
Utility  SA 313B Alouette II · SA 316B Alouette III · SA.341F Gazelle · SA.342M Gazelle
Export  ◄SA 313B Alouette II · HKP2 · SA.342L Gazelle

France helicopters
Attack  ▄H-34 · EC-665 Tiger HAD · Tiger HAD Block 2 · EC-665 Tiger HAP
Utility  IAR 316B · SA 313B Alouette II · SA 316B Alouette III · SA.341F Gazelle · SA.342M Gazelle