LAMA (helicopter)

History

Conceived at the origin for the Indian armed forces, in 1968, and intended for the fight Antiguérilla, Aerospace SA 315B LAMA combines to the reinforced cell of Lark II with the equipment of SA 316B Alouette III, of which the Artouste engine and its rotor. The prototype of SA 315 stole on March 17th, 1969 and accepted its navigability certificate on September 30th 1970. The name of LAMA was allotted to him by its manufacturer in July 1971. During its tests, the LAMA establishes records of altitude and handiness (cf Performances of the apparatus). Its exploits and the reputation established well as regards safety by his/her cousins, Lark II and III, ensured the LAMA an excellent brand image on the international market. Since 1971, negotiations were carried out with HALL to Bangalore, in India for construction under license of SA 315B. The first LAMA assembled in India took the air on October 6th 1972, the deliveries beginning in December 1973. And the firm HALL renamed its Cheetah helicopters. In 1978, a contract was signed between the Aerospatiale and Helibras, with the Brésil, for the assembly of SA 315B, leading later on to a construction under license.

Performances of the apparatus

Upon the departure, SA 315B made the demonstration of its transport capacities of loads in altitude. Thus, during flights of demonstration in the the Himalayas, in 1969, SA 315B in charge with two team members and 120 kg of fuel lands and redécolla with 7 500 m, altitude never yet reached under such conditions and on June 21st 1972, a LAMA with its only pilot on board (Jean Ball) allocated absolute records of altitude for Hélicoptère with 12.442 Mr. These performances are very indicated for the mountainous regions: the LAMA can thus transport loads external of 1.000 kg up to 2.500 m of altitude. Its universal undercarriage is still one of its atouts : the shoes, provided with removable wheels for the operations on the ground, can be replaced by Flotteurs. Lastly, an emergency device makes it possible the LAMA to float where necessary or of accident.

Moreover, this helicopter can be used as machine of agricultural work and, for this task, it is equipped with a device provided with an electric pump able to spread on cultures 455 liters of chemicals per minute.

Applications

Similar to the Lark, SA 315B can be adapted to various commercial uses, such transport of passengers or the agricultural work, while the militarized versions can just as easily be used with the connection, the observation, air photography, research at sea (160 kg can be raised by Treuil), with transport (1 135 kg of Fret), with the evacuation Sanitaire (two stretchers and a male nurse) and with good of other tasks.

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