11/09/2026
SA 342M Variant Profile: SA 342M HOT day
Developed as an improved version of the SA 341F, the SA 342M was initially conceived by the manufacturer to meet export requirements. The French Army subsequently selected the type to replace the SA 341F, addressing the long-standing problem of insufficient engine power for an armed helicopter.
By July 1988, the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) had received a total of 159 SA 342Ms.
The SA 342M was produced in two major batches, with aircraft serial numbers beginning in the 3000 and 4000 series, respectively.
The 3000-series SA 342Ms shared many of the external characteristics of the SA 341F and SA 342L. The aircraft featured here, the SA 342M HOT day, represents the principal configuration of this series.
The SA 342M HOT day designation refers to a configuration optimized for aerial assault missions and reconnaissance missions rather than the SA 341F’s original armament of a cannon and Mistral air-defense missiles. The aircraft was armed exclusively with HOT wire-guided anti-tank missiles. Because its APX M309 sight lacked a night-vision capability and could therefore be used only under daylight conditions, the variant came to be known as the “day” configuration.
The SA 342M HOT day saw its defining combat deployment during the 1990–91 Gulf War.
For this project, we have faithfully recreated the configuration of the SA 342M HOT day, including the hot and arid environment air filtration system developed for the SA 341/342 family, as well as the exhaust nozzle designed to suppress the helicopter’s infrared signature.
