Aérospatiale SA321 Super Frelon

The Aérospatiale SA321 Super Frelon (Super Frelon – "Super Hornet") is a three-engined heavy transport helicopter produced by Sud Aviation (later Aérospatiale) of France. The helicopter is still in use in China where the locally produced version is known as the Z-8.

Variants

 * SE.2000 Frelon: Prototype transport helicopter powered by three 597 kW (800 hp) Turbomeca Turmo IIIB engines driving a four-bladed rotor of 50 feet (15.24 meters) diameter. Two built, the first flying on June 10th, 1958.
 * SA321: Preproduction aircraft. Four built.
 * SA321F: Commercial airline helicopter, powered by three Turbomeca IIIC-3 turboshaft engines, with accommodation for 34 to 37 passengers.
 * SA321G: Anti-submarine warfare version for the French Navy, it was powered by three Turbomeca IIIC-6 turboshaft engines; 26 built.
 * SA321Ga: Utility and assault transport helicopter for the French Navy.
 * SA321GM: Export version for Libya, fitted with Omera ORB-32WAS radar.
 * SA321H: Export version for Iraq, it was powered by three Turbomeca Turmo IIIE turboshaft engines, fitted with Omera ORB-31D search radar, and armed with Exocet anti-ship missiles.
 * SA321J: Commercial transport helicopter and accommodation for 27 passengers.
 * SA321Ja: Improved version of the SA 321J.
 * SA321K: Military transport version for Israel.
 * SA321L: Military transport version for South Africa, fitted with air inlet filters.
 * SA321M: Search and rescue, utility transport helicopter for Libya.
 * Changhe Z-8: Chinese built version with three Changzhou Lan Xiang WZ6 turboshaft engines.
 * Changhe Z-8A: Army transport version.
 * Changhe Z-8F: Chinese built version with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-67A turboshaft engines.
 * Changhe Z-8AEW: Chinese AEW helicopter with retractable radar antenna, AESA radar, 360 degree coverage, redesigned nose similar to the AC313, and FLIR.
 * Changhe Z-8L: Chinese variant with enlarged fuel sponsons, first spotted in January 2019.

Users

 * People's Republic of China
 * People's Liberation Army Air Force
 * People's Liberation Army Ground Force
 * People's Liberation Army Navy
 * People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
 * France
 * Marine Nationale
 * Aeronavale
 * Greece
 * Olympic Airways
 * Iraq
 * Iraqi Air Force
 * Israel
 * Israeli Air Force
 * Libya
 * Libyan Air Force
 * Libyan Navy
 * South Africa
 * South African Air Force
 * South African Navy
 * Zaire
 * Zairean Air Force