SA316/319 ALOUETTE III

The Alouette III entered service with the French Armed forces in 1960. The French Army ordered 50 Alouette IIIs in June 1961.

In June 1960, an Alouette III carrying seven people made take-offs and landings on Mont Blanc in the French Alps at an altitude of 4,810 meters (15,780 feet), an unprecedented altitude for such activities by a helicopter. The same helicopter again demonstrated the type‍��?��'��?��?�s extraordinary performance in November 1960 by making take-offs and landings with a crew of two and a payload of 250 kg (551 lbs) in the Himalayas at an altitude of 6,004 meters (19,698 feet).

In June 2004, the Alouette III was retired from the French Air Force after 32 years of successful service, being replaced by the Eurocpter EC 355 Ecureuil 2..

The French Navy still uses the Alouette III for Search and Rescue and Logistics missions.

Twee uitvoeringen mogelijk;