The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has awarded Textron Aviation Defense a contract valued at US$143.4 million to provide aircraft for 8 Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverine light attack turboprop aircraft and ground support equipment, spare parts, training and auxiliary equipment. team. The company announced at the 2021 Dubai Airshow.
RTAF will be an international launch customer for the aircraft. All eight platforms are expected to be allocated to the 411 Squadron, which is part of the 41st Wing at Chiang Mai Air Force Base to support anti-smuggling and anti-human trafficking, border security, and Anti-drug operation.
“We are honored that the Royal Thai Air Force has selected Beechcraft AT-6 through competition to perform a wide range of missions to support its border security and anti-smuggling, anti-drug and anti-human trafficking operations,” said Thomas Hamel, Textron Aviation Defense President and CEO.
“RTAF is an important security ally of the United States and an operator of one of the most advanced air forces in the Asia-Pacific region,” Hamel added. “Its extensive market research and rigorous procurement process seeks the best cost, schedule and performance consistency to replace its existing aging Aero L-39 Albatros aircraft fleet and use the latest technology to improve its fleet’s capabilities. “
RTAF aircraft will be produced at the company’s plant in Wichita, Kansas, and pilot training will begin in 2024. The first aircraft is expected to enter RTAF service in 2024.
The Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine is also the latest light attack aircraft of the United States Air Force (USAF) and has been designated as AT-6E. The Air Combat Command (ACC) of the US Air Force operates a demonstration aircraft that was delivered in December 2020 and is expected to receive a second aircraft before the end of the year.
The AT-6 platform is designed for light attack, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism missions, leveraging the successful T-6 Texan II design.
Xiao Wu
