page_title: Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon
section_title: Variants
hierarchical_section_title: Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon / Variants
caption_attribution_description: English: South African Air Force Super Frelon South African Air Force Museum (Swartkop)
context_page_description: The Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon is a three-engined heavy transport helicopter produced by aerospace manufacturer Sud Aviation of France. It held the distinction of being the most powerful helicopter to be built in Europe at one point, as well as being the world's fastest helicopter.
  The Super Frelon was a more powerful development of the original SE.3200 Frelon, which had failed to enter production. On 7 December 1962, the first prototype conducted the type's maiden flight. On 23 July 1963, a modified Super Frelon flew a record-breaking flight, setting the new FAI absolute helicopter world speed record with a recorded speed of 217.7 mph. Both civilian and military versions of the Super Frelon were produced; the type was predominantly sold to military customers. In 1981, Aerospatiale, Sud Aviation's successor company, chose to terminate production due to a lack of orders.
  The Super Frelon was most heavily used by naval air arms, such as the French Navy and the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force.
context_section_description: SE.3200 Frelon 
  Prototype transport helicopter powered by three 597 kW (800 hp) Turbomeca Turmo IIIB engines driving a four-bladed rotor of 15.2 m (50 ft) diameter. Two built, the first flying on 10 June 1958.
  SA 321 
  Preproduction aircraft. Four built.
  SA 321G 
  Anti-submarine warfare version for the French Navy, it was powered by three Turbomeca IIIC-6 turboshaft engines; 26 built.
  SA 321Ga 
  Utility and assault transport helicopter for the French Navy.
  SA 321GM 
  Export version for Libya, fitted with Omera ORB-32WAS radar.
  SA 321H 
  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.
  SA 321F 
  Commercial airline helicopter, powered by three Turbomeca IIIC-3 turboshaft engines, with accommodation for 34 to 37 passengers.
  SA 321J 
  Commercial transport helicopter and accommodation for 27 passengers.
  SA 321Ja 
  Improved version of the SA 321J.
  SA 321K 
  Military transport version for Israel.
  SA 321L 
  Military transport version for South Africa, fitted with air inlet filters.
  SA 321M 
  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.
  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.
caption: A South African Air Force SA 321L
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