RTAF has Revealed a Set of Images from the AT-6TH Wolverine Training Flight in the United States

27 Maret 2024

The AT-6TH Pilot Training Course at Textron Aviation Defense in Wichita, Kansas. They are flying AT-6TH numbered 41103, which the Royal Thai Air Force has purchased and will be delivered to 411 Squadron, Wing 41 by the end of this year (all photos: RTAF)

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) released the first set of images of its Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverine attack and training aircraft during a training flight in the United States on its online social media on March 25, 2024.

The set of images shows the attack and training aircraft, AT-6TH, number "41103", US registration "N2790B", conducting flight training during a pilot training course at Textron Aviation Defense Company in Wichita, Kansas, taking place on 12 February - 15 May 2024.

The AT-6 attack and attack aircraft pilot training course for 8 pilots of Squadron 411, Wing 41 Chiang Mai, who are the first generation pilots, includes training on Close Air Support (CAS) as a light attack aircraft.

A set of images shows the AT-6TH 41103 installed with a camera detection system electro-optic/infrared(EO/IR) WESCAM MX-15Di inside the fuselage airframe in the middle of the bottom of the machine It provides search, detection, tracking, and targeting capabilities.

The images also show the installation of a 500lbs GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb, a 7-round LAU-131/A pod for a Hydra 70 air-to-surface missile, an M156 White phosphorus (WP) warhead and FN HMP-400 air machine gun pod, size .50cal, bullet capacity 400 rounds.

Before that, on March 11, 2024, Wing Commander Prathon Chinawat, Commander of Wing 41 announced to the Thai media about his readiness to bring the AT-6TH into service with Squadron 411, Wing 41, with the first 2 aircraft expected to be transported to Thailand in June 2024.

The Royal Thai Air Force has signed a contract to supply 8 AT-6TH attack and training aircraft amount 4,314,039,980.80 baht ($143 million) on 14 November 2021 by Squadron 411 will receive the full amount 8 aircraft within the year 2024.

AT-6TH is based on the AT-6E Wolverine light attack aircraft, it also shares basics with the training aircraft Beechcraft T-6TH Texan II (T-6C) of the Flying School Kamphaeng Saen, Royal Thai Air Force that has been given in full 12 aircraft already in the year 2023.

The procurement of attack and training aircraft for the AT-6TH also includes the transfer of technology to Thailand as well as aircraft training and the T-6TH assembled in Thailand by Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) Thailand.

Textron sent its AT-6E light attack aircraft, US registration N610AT, to Kamphaeng Saen Flight School in Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand for use in testing the integration of various systems since November 2022.

The Royal Thai Air Force originally looked to procure 4 attacks and training aircraft AT-6TH, Phase 2, for a total of 12 machines. However, in the latest RTAF White Paper 2024 published on 29 February 2024, 2024 does not specify the procurement of an additional AT-6TH with only the acquisition of one squadron of new attack aircraft,  12-14 replacements for the fighter aircraft F-5E/F TH Super Tigris and attack aircraft type Alpha Jet A TH only.

(AAG)