SA.342L Gazelle
| This page is about the Chinese utility helicopter SA.342L Gazelle. For other versions, see Gazelle (Family). |
Contents
Description
The SA.342L Gazelle(commonly known as 小羚羊 by the name Gazelle) is a rank V Chinese utility helicopter with a battle rating of 8.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Drone Age".
One of the earliest European purchases of Mainland China during the 1980s and their earliest "attack" helicopter that installed ATGMs, the name "gazelle" might not sound threatening, but it can still fight back with its limited payload including ATGMs and pair of rocket pods, as well as machine gun pods.
General info
Flight performance
SA.342L is one of the Gazelle family of light helicopters from France with revised systems for carrying armaments, one of its most distinctive features over other helicopters of its era is the fenestron (covered tail rotor). Since its nature of a light helicopter, players will find the Gazelle agile while keeping sufficient top speed for scouting and assault mission. But do remember that its nature of a light helicopter - the only payload options are only 57 mm or 70 mm rocket pods, 12.7 mm gun pods and 2 pairs of HJ-8A ATGMs with low speed and relatively low range, so make use of its mobility to sneak into battlefield and delivery some blows onto enemy targets.
| Characteristics | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - at sea level) |
Max altitude (metres) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | ||
| Stock | 264 | 249 | 5000 |
| Upgraded | ___ | ___ | |
Survivability and armour
Like many utility helicopters, Gazelle does not have any kind of extra protection other than its airframe and windshields, any projectile that flies onto Gazelle will very likely damage parts of the helicopter and even being pilot-sniped with relative ease; the only better news is that Gazelle has self-sealing tanks to at least giving it the chance to save itself from being a fireball in the skies.
Modifications and economy
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Armaments
Suspended armament
The SA.342L Gazelle can be outfitted with the following ordnance presets:
- 36 x Type 57-1 rockets
- 14 x FS70 rockets
- 4 x HJ-8A missiles
- 2 x 12.7 mm QJK99-12.7-1 machine guns (1,000 rpg = 2,000 total)
Custom loadout options
| 1 | 2 |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.7 mm QJK99-12.7-1 machine guns (1,000 rpg) | 1 | 1 | |
| FS70 rockets | 7 | 7 | |
| Type 57-1 rockets | 18 | 18 | |
| HJ-8A missiles | 2 | 2 |
Usage in battles
The weaponry choices of the Chinese Gazelle is rather limited compared to its French cousins. Due to the late introduction of ATGMs in PLAGF service and the small payload capability of the Gazelle, it could only carry 4 HJ-8A ATGMs at most which are the earliest "2nd generation" ATGM of the PLAGF with relatively worse performance; they are sufficient to knock-down tanks without composite armour or ERA packages, but do make sure to choose targets that are not aware of your presence since it takes around 13 seconds to hit targets at its maximum distance. Another downside to the Gazelle is that it doesn't have any form of fixed weapon for self-defense and it can only carry gunpods with other weaponries in custom loadouts at the cost of either side pylon. However, rotorcraft dogfights are rare at the tier, so in most cases, the default options are already sufficient for your use. Do remember that Gazelle has no ballistic computer and it takes some practice to utilize both rockets at maximum efficiency as their trajectory is not as easy to be handled as FFAR or Mighty Mouse.
Since its armaments have quite short range compared to other helicopters of the tier, be sure to utilize the excellent mobility of the Gazelle to enter the battlefield and leave in one piece - any vehicles with guns that can aim high enough to hit Gazelle are like predators of the Savanna, any hits could mean a quick and sometimes miserable end to Gazelle. Alternatively for a safer approach, take cover behind terrain or stay barely above tree level to conceal yourself from any "predators", only peek out and take out enemies that are in heat of battle and didn't expect your existence.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Pros:
- Versatile and flexible, capable of performing a wide range of missions including scouting, reconnaissance, transport, and attack.
- Good speed and maneuverability, making it a nimble and agile helicopter.
- Low maintenance requirements and operational costs, making it an economical choice for many.
- Easy to operate and maintain, with a relatively simple design and user-friendly controls.
- Cons:
- Limited payload and cargo capacity, which can be a drawback in some missions.
- Relatively small size, which can limit the number of crew members and equipment that can be carried.
- Limited range and endurance, which can be problematic in certain scenarios.
- Limited armor and protection, making it vulnerable to enemy fire.
- Limited payload and cargo capacity, which can be a drawback in some missions. Relatively small size, which can limit the number of crew members and equipment that can be carried. Limited range and endurance, which can be problematic in certain scenarios. Limited armor and protection, making it vulnerable to enemy fire. Overall, the SA.340/341/342 Gazelle is a versatile and reliable helicopter that has served many customers well. Its limitations in terms of payload, range, and protection must be considered when selecting it for a mission, but its speed, maneuverability, and low operational costs make it an attractive option for many applications.agile
- co-pilot
Cons:
- options
History
The SA.340/341/342 Gazelle helicopter, produced by the French manufacturer Aérospatiale, has a long history of successful service around the world. Since its introduction in the 1970s, it has been exported to multiple customers and used for a wide range of missions, from scouting and reconnaissance to attack and transport. In the late 1980s, the new PLAGF Aviation Corps (陆军航空兵) of China found themselves in urgent need of new helicopters to meet their demand for increased mobility and firepower. With only Harbin Z-5 and earlier SA.311 models at their disposal, they began to search for a new solution. In a deal set in the late 1980s, they acquired eight SA.341L Gazelle helicopters for $800k USD per unit. The Gazelles quickly proved their worth during the 1989 crackdown, where they were utilized in scouting operations. Later on, during military exercises, they were converted into attack helicopters and proved their mettle as the only "dedicated" attack helicopter for PLAGF, equipped with four missiles onboard. Their performance during the heat of the 2nd Taiwan Strait Crisis helped establish their reputation as a valuable asset for the PLAGF Aviation Corps. However, as newer helicopters like the Z-9 entered service with better payload and performance capabilities, the Gazelles were gradually phased out of frontline service. They were eventually repurposed as trainers for new pilots of the PLAGF Aviation Corps, where they continue to serve to this day. Despite being retired from combat roles, the SA.340/341/342 Gazelle remains a symbol of the longstanding partnership between France and China in the field of aviation. Its success in multiple roles and countries is a testament to the quality and versatility of the design, and its legacy lives on in the pilots it has trained and the missions it has flown.
Media
- Skins
See also
- Related development
External links
Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
- topic on the official game forum;
- other literature.
| 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 |
| China helicopters | |
|---|---|
| Attack/Utility | Z-9W · Z-9WA · Z-10 · Z-11WA · Z-19 · Z-19E |
| ␗OH-58D (USA) | |
| Attack | ␗AH-1W (USA) |
| Utility | SA.342L Gazelle (France) |
