Key Facts
| Current Title: |
| Aviation Legere de L'Armee de Terre |
| English Title: |
| French Army Light Aviation |
| Abbreviation: |
| ALAT |
| First Established: |
| 1954 |
| ICAO Code: |
| (None) |
| Country: |
| France |
| Status: |
| Active |
History
Narrative Summary
From 1943 several observation units had been formed with American assistance within the Free French Air Force, for artillery spotting using light aircraft. At the end of the war, these units were greatly reduced in numbers. The war in Indochina showed once again the importance of these units and in March 1953 a degree of autonomy within the Air Force was achieved with the creation of the Aviation Legere d’Observation d’Artillerie (ALOA). On 22 November 1954 these units became a wholly Army-maintained force called the Aviation Legere de L’Armee de Terre (ALAT). It’s main roles are reconnaissance, attack and transport.
Key Dates
| 1943 | Artillery observation units formed in FFAF. | |
| 3 March 1953 | Aviation Legere d’Observation d’Artillerie created within AdlA | |
| 1953 | First helicopters received – Bell 47D | |
| 22 November 1954 | French Army air arm officially established |
Current Status
The ALAT aircraft and helicopters are fully operational.
Future Plans
No plan known.
Markings
National Markings
Current — Historical
Aircraft Serial Numbers
French Army aircraft carry French military serial numbers which are usually based on the manufacturers construction number for the airframe concerned, e.g. SA.330B Puma 1062. In addition, each aircraft carries a 3-letter code, e.g. AZE for the same Puma, which corresponds to it’s radio callsign – with letters in the range F-MAAA to F-MIZZ.
Unit/Base Codes
The radio callsigns carried by ALAT aircraft and helicopters were originally allocated in blocks to specific units, but in 2009 the ALAT started to switch over to allocating the blocks to specific aircraft types. Thus the unit can no longer be inferred from the callsign displayed.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
Table of Current Service Aircraft
All-Time Aircraft Used List
All-Time Table of Aircraft Used
Aircraft NOT Used
False reports of aircraft on order or in service
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Commandement de l’ALAT, 78129 Villacoublay-Air.
Organisational Structure
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)
Current Order of Battle
Table of Current Order of Battle
Historical Orders of Battle
Historical Order of Battle for 2008
All-Time Flying Units List
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
See Order of Battle listing.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
In addition to the main bases there are also a number of smaller airports and airfields around the country which are sometimes used by the Army.
Military Air Bases Listing – to be added.
More Information
Books
French Military Aviation by Paul A. Jackson (Midland Counties, 1979)
European Air Forces Directory 2012/13 (Mach III)
Magazines
World Air Power Journal No.10 p.152
Air Forces Research Nos.10, 11 & 12
Websites
Official Homepage of the French Army
Air-Britain: French Army photos