| World Air Forces |
Dassault Etendard IVP serial 109
France
Naval Aviation
Title:
Aeronautique Navale - Aeronavale
Brief History:
1910 first Naval officers sent for flying training. 1910? formation of Service Aeronautique. 12 March 1912 creation of Commandement Superieur de l'Aviation Maritime. 1925 Aeronautique Maritime formed, later renamed Aeronautique Navale. 10 May 1940 onwards Naval units operated in tactical role supporting land forces. June 1940 Vichy naval aviation under German control. 1944 French control of naval aviation restored. November 1956 major participant in Suez campaign.
National Markings:
 |
 |
 |
| Main Marking | Fin Flash | |
| The main marking is displayed in 6 positions (ie above and below each wing, and on each side of the fuselage) on aircraft - but on fuselage sides only on helicopters. The fin flash is nowadays rarely carried by frontline types, but on second-line types is usually displayed in the form of rudder stripes. Naval aircraft also usually carry the title MARINE on the fuselage sides or tailfin. | ||
Main Headquarters:
Service Centrale de l'Aeronautique Navale, 2 Rue Royale, 75800 Paris.
Aircraft Inventory:
Current service types
 |
 |
| Falcon 10MER serial 32 | Super Etendard serial 32 |
|---|
Organisation:
The three major components of the Aeronavale are: Service Central de l'Aeronautique Navale (Central Aviation Services), Aviation de Patrouille Maritime (Maritime Air Patrol) and Aviation Embarquee et le Groupe des Porte-Avions (Embarked Aviation). The navy is geographically divided into Atlantic Region (HQ Brest) and Mediterranean Region (HQ Toulon). Frontline units are Flotilles (Squadrons), second line units are Escadrilles de Servitude (Support Flights).
Order of Battle-
| Unit | Type | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation Embarquee et le Groupe des Porte-Avions | ||
| 4 Flotille | E-2C Hawkeye | Lann-Bihoue |
| 11 Flotille | Super Etendard | Landivisiau |
| 12 Flotille | Rafale M | Landivisiau |
| 17 Flotille | Super Etendard | Landivisiau |
| 31 Flotille | Lynx HAS.2/4(FN) | Hyeres |
| 32 Flotille | SA.321G Super Frelon | Lanveoc-Poulmic |
| 34 Flotille | Lynx HAS.2/4(FN) | Lanveoc-Poulmic |
| 35 Flotille | Alouette III, SA.365N | Hyeres |
| 35 Flotille Det. | SA.365N | Cherbourg |
| 35 Flotille Det. | SA.365N | Le Touquet |
| 35 Flotille Det. | SA.365N | La Rochelle |
| 35 Flotille Det. | SA.365N | Hyeres |
| 36 Flotille | AS.565MA | Hyeres |
| 22S/ESHE | Alouette III, SA.365N | Lanveoc-Poulmic |
| 57S | Falcon 10MER | Landivisiau |
| Aviation de Patrouille Maritime | ||
| 21 Flotille | ATL.2 Atlantique 2 | Nimes-Garons |
| 23 Flotille | ATL.2 Atlantique 2 | Lann-Bihoue |
| 24 Flotille | Falcon 50M, N.262E, Xingu | Lann-Bihoue |
| 25 Flottille | Falcon 20H Gardian | Noumea-Tontouta (New Caledonia) |
| 25 Flotille (det.) | Falcon 20H Gardian | Papeete-Faaa (Tahiti) |
| 28 Flotille/EPV | Nord 262E, Xingu | Nimes-Garons |
| Escadrilles de Soutien Regionales | ||
| 50S/EIP | Rallye 100S/ST, CAP.10 | Lanveoc-Poulmic |
| DCAN | HR.100-250TR, CE.43 Guepard, MH.1521M | Cuers-Pierrefue/Hyeres |
| 10S/CEPA | Alize, Xingu, Nord 262A | Hyeres-Le Palyvestre |
| CEIAPM | Xingu* | Lann-Bihoue |
CEIAPM = Centre d'Entrainement et d'Instruction de l'Aviation de Patrouille Maritime
CEPA = Centre d'Experimentation Practique de l'Aeronautique
DCAN= Direction des Construction et des Armes Navales (Naval Dockyards and Armaments Administration)
EIP = Ecole d'Initiation Pilotage
EPV = Ecole du Personnel Volant
ERCE = Escadrille de Reception et de Convoyage (Crew Ferry Flight)
ESHE = Ecole de Spécialisation sur Hélicopterès Embarqués
Future Plans:
Introduction of 60 Rafale M (12 two-seaters and 48 single-seaters) from 2001: equipping 12F in 2001, 11F in 2007, 17F in 2010.Possible procurement of a 4th E-2C.
Replacement of the Lynx by 27 NHI NFH.90 from 2005, and also of the Super Frelon by the TTH version later.
Replacement of Super Etendard by Rafale before 2010.
Order second aircraft carrier in 2005 for delivery in 2012.
Bibliography:
- World Air Power Journal No.10 p.148
- Air International March 1997
SA.342M Gazelle coded BXE
France
Army Aviation
Title:
Aviation Legere de L'Armee de Terre (Army Light Aviation)
Brief History:
Established 22 November 1954 for observation, recconaissance, assault and supply duties.
National Markings:
 |
|
|
| Main Marking | Fin Flash | |
| The main marking is displayed in 6 positions (ie above and below each wing, and on each side of the fuselage) on aircraft - but on fuselage sides only on helicopters. The fin flash is nowadays rarely carried by frontline types, but on second-line types is usually displayed in the form of rudder stripes. Army aircraft also usually carry the title armee de TERRE on the fuselage sides. | ||
Main Headquarters:
Commandement de l'ALAT, 78129 Villacoublay-Air
Aircraft Inventory:
Current service types-| Aircraft Type | Total Del'd |
Total Now |
Role | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospatiale SA.330B/H Puma | 150 | 124 | Transport/Training | local |
| Aerospatiale SA.341F/HOT/C Gazelle | 122 | 114 | Recce/Liaison/Training | local |
| Aerospatiale SA.342L1/M Gazelle | 30/167 | 30/155 | Anti-Tank | local |
| Aerospatiale AS.532UL Cougar | 24 | 24 | Assault | local |
| Aerospatiale AS.532UL Cougar Horizon | 4 | 4 | Surveillance | local |
| Aerospatiale AS.555UN Fennec | 18 | 18 | Training/Liaison | local |
| Cessna F.406 Caravan II | 2 | 2 | Target Tug/Liaison | licence built |
| Eurocopter EC.505 Tigre HAC/HAP | 10*/70* | 10*/70* | Recce/Liaison/Anti-Tank | local |
| Eurocopter EC.725 Cougar | 8* | 8* | Special Forces Transport | local |
| NHI NH.90TTH | 60** | 68** | Transport/Assault | Multi-National |
| Pilatus PC-6B Turbo Porter | 5 | 5 | Logistics | Switzerland |
| SOCATA TBM-700 | 8 | 8 | Liaison | local |
** = on order.
 |
 |
| SA.330 Puma coded BZA | Cessna Caravan II coded ABM |
|---|
Organisation:
The basic unit of ALAT is the Regiment d'Helicopteres de Combat (RHC). Each of which comprises:One Escadrille de Commandement et des Services (ECS - HQ Squadron)
One Escadrille de Soutien et de Ravitaillement (ESR - Supply and Provision Squadron)
One Escadrille d'Helicopteres de Reconnaissance (EHR - Recce Squadron)
One or two Escadrille d'Helicopteres d'Appui Protection (EHAP - Strike Helicopter Squadron)
Three Escadrille d'Helicopteres d'Attaque (EHA - Attack Helicopter Squadron)
One Escadrille d'Helicopteres de Manoeuvre (EHM - Assault Transport and Heavy Lift Squadron)
Regional liaison squadrons are designated Groupe d'Helicopteres Legers (GHL)
Order of Battle-
| Unit | Escadrille | Base | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escadrille du COMALAT | Les Mureaux | SA341F, SA342M | |
| EHADT | Les Mureaux | SA341F, SA342M | |
| Escadrille Avions de Armee de Terre (EAAT) | Rennes | TBM700, Cessna F406 Caravan 2 | |
| Escadrille de Haute Montagne | Gap | SA341F, SA342M | |
| 4e Brigade Aéromobile (Force d'Action Rapide) | |||
| 1 RHC | EHAP | Phalsbourg | SA341F Canon |
| EHR | Phalsbourg | SA341F/SA342L1 | |
| 1 EHA | Phalsbourg | SA342M | |
| 2 EHA | Phalsbourg | SA342M | |
| 1 EHM | Phalsbourg | SA330B Puma | |
| 2 EHM | Phalsbourg | SA330B Puma | |
| 3 EHM | Phalsbourg | AS532 | |
| 4 EHM | Phalsbourg | AS532 | |
| EHOR | Phalsbourg | AS532 Horizon | |
| 3 RHC | 1 EHA | Etain | SA342M |
| 2 EHA | Etain | SA342M | |
| EHR | Etain | SA342M | |
| 1 EHAP | Etain | SA342L1 | |
| 2 EHAP | Etain | SA341F Canon | |
| 1 EHM | Etain | SA330B Puma | |
| 2 EHM | Etain | SA330B Puma | |
| 5 RHC | EHR | Pau | SA341F, SA342M |
| EHAP | Pau | SA342L1/F Canon | |
| 1 EHM | Pau | SA330B Puma | |
| 2 EHM | Pau | SA330B Puma | |
| 3 EHM | Pau | SA330B Puma | |
| DAOS | Pau | SA330B, AS532UL, SA342M | |
| 6 RHCM | 1 EHAP | Compiegne | SA341F Canon |
| 2 EHAP | Compiegne | SA342L1 | |
| EHA | Compiegne | SA342M | |
| EHR | Compiegne | SA342M | |
| 1 EHM | Compiegne | SA330B Puma | |
| Overseas Units | |||
| DetALAT Djibouti | Ambouli | SA330B Puma | |
| DetALAT Tchad | N'Djamena | SA330B Puma | |
| DetALAT Bangui | Bangui | SA330B Puma | |
| DetALAT Cameroun | ? | SA330B Puma | |
| DetALAT Cote d'Ivoire | ? | SA330B Puma | |
| DetALAT Gabon | Libreville | SA330B Puma | |
| DetALAT Senegal | Cap Vert | SA330B Puma | |
| SFOR | Ploce, Croatia | SA342 Gazelle, SA330B Puma | |
| KFOR | Kumanovo, Macedonia | SA342 Gazelle, SA330B Puma | |
| Ecole de Specialisation (ESALAT) | |||
| 1 EHLE | Dax | SA.341F Gazelle | |
| 2 EHLE | Dax | SA.341F Gazelle | |
| Ecole d'Application (EAALAT) | |||
| 3 EHLA | Le Luc | SA.341F/342M Gazelle | |
| 6 EHM | Le Luc | AS.555UN Fennec, SA.330B Puma | |
| ? | Le Luc | Tigre | |
| Ecole de Specialisation du Materiel | Bourges | Misc. Helicopters | |
| GAM.STAT | Valence-Chabeuil | Misc. Types | |
| GAM.ETAMAT-Versailles | Villacoublay | SA341F | |
| ETCM | Montauban | Pilatus PC-6B, SA341F | |
| AERMV | Dax | SA341F | |
Future Plans:
Eurocopter Tigre attack helicopter to enter service in 2003 with Franco-German School at Le Luc. 80 currently on order (10 HAC and 70 HAP versions), with eventual requirement for 214.Procurement of 68 NH.90 TTH, with deliveries from 2011.
Bibliography:
- World Air Power Journal No.10 p.152
- Air Forces Research Nos.10, 11 & 12
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| First Created: 12 December 1995 - Last Revised: 11 September 2005 | ||||
| Copyright © 1995 John Hayles. e-mail: john@aeroflight.co.uk | ||||