Royal Thai Air Force Unveils AT-6TH Attack Aircraft, First Armed Combat Demonstration

02 Januari 2025

RTAF Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverine serial "41102" and "41104" light attack aircraft of 411th Squadron, Wing 41 Chiang Mai (photo: Sittiphong Charoenkhan, Chittapon Kaewkiriya)

The opening ceremony of the Air Tactical Operations Evaluation Test and Assessment 2025, held at the Chai Badan Air Weapons Training Range, Lopburi Province on 12 December 2024, in which the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) organized a demonstration of the use of air power for senior Thai government officials, the Royal Thai Armed Forces, and the public who attended the event.

It was the first time that two Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverine attack aircraft of Squadron 411, Wing 41, Chiang Mai, number "41102" equipped with two FN HMP-400 machine gun pods, and number "41104" equipped with two HMP-400 machine gun pods and two 7-round LAU-131/A rocket pods, were seen flying in an aerial combat reconnaissance formation during the demonstration.

However, the two AT-6TH Wolverine aircraft did not use any weapons to attack the target. The actual use of air weapons consisted of Saab Gripen C/D fighter aircraft, Squadron 701, Wing 7, Surat Thani, which were equipped with IRIS-T air-to-air missiles, AIM-120C AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs and LITENING IIIG target designation pods.

Fighter aircraft type Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM EMLU, Squadron 403, Wing 4, Takhli, equipped with Sniper ATP target designation pod, dropping laser-guided bombs, F-16A/B Block 15 OCU, Squadron 103, Wing 1, Korat, dropping Mk82 500lbs air bombs, attack aircraft type 7,  Alpha Jet TH, Squadron 231, Wing 23, Udon Thani, firing CRV7 air-to-surface missiles, and fighter and trainer aircraft Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50TH Golden Eagle, Squadron 401, Wing 4, firing 20mm air cannon, etc.

AT-6TH aircraft number "41101", "41102" and "41104" stationed at Wing 4, Takhli, Nakhon Sawan Province, during the demonstration at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Tactical Air Operations Testing and Evaluation, held from 11 November 2024 to 27 February 2025, which has been modified from the previous Air Tactical Operations Competition (ATOC). It was found to have been fitted with a WESCAM MX-15Di electro-optic/infrared(EO/IR) camera detection system. Other weapons systems in addition to the .50cal HMP-400 air gun pod with a capacity of 400 rounds and a 7-round LAU-131/A rocket pod for Hydra 70 air-to-surface missiles include the GBU-12 Paveway II 500lb laser-guided bomb and the AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missile.

AT-6TH Wolverine serial "41105",so far 5 from 8 of ordered AT-6TH have delivered to 411th Squadron, Wing 41 RTAF in November 2024 (photo: Tango Squadron Air Museum)

The Royal Thai Air Force signed a contract to procure 8 AT-6TH attack aircraft worth 4,314,039,980.80 baht ($143 million) on November 14, 2021. The procurement of AT-6TH attack aircraft also includes the transfer of technology to Thailand. 

Similarly, the Beechcraft T-6TH Texan II (T-6C) training aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force Kamphaeng Saen Flying School, which has received a total of 12 aircraft in 2023 with a common basis, Squadron 411 will receive a total of 8 AT-6TH aircraft by February 2025.

The Royal Thai Air Force received its first two AT-6TH Wolverine attack aircraft, serial numbers "41101" and "41102", into service with Squadron 411, Wing 41 on 16 July 2024 and began its first training flight in its area on 1 October 2024.

From the discovery of the AT-6TH Wolverine attack aircraft, serial number "41105" in November 2024, it indicates that the Final Reassembly Program by the aircraft factory of Thai Aviation Industries Co., Ltd. (TAI) in Takhli District, Nakhon Sawan Province, near Wing 4, Takhli, has delivered at least 5 completed aircraft to Squadron 411, Wing 41.

(AAG)