RTAF AT-6TH Wolverine (41101 & 41102). Photo: AAG
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) officially accepted the delivery of its initial pair of AT-6TH Wolverine turboprop aircraft in Mueang Chiang Mai district, Chiang Mai province, on Tuesday (Jul. 16). These two aircraft, designated as 41101 and 41102, are part of a USD 143 million contract for eight AT-6E light attack and armed reconnaissance planes for the RTAF signed in November 2021.
Manufactured by Textron Aviation in the United States, these two aircraft underwent final assembly at Thai Aviation Industries (TAI)’s facility in Takhli, Nakhon Sawan Province, before being delivered to the RTAF.
The remaining AT-6TH is expected to arrive by year-end, completing the fleet of eight. These aircraft will be assigned to Squadron 411, Wing 41, based in Chiang Mai, to replace the Aero L-39ZA/ART Albatros trainer/light fighter jets which were retired from service in March 2021.
This acquisition follows a previous contract for 12 T-6C (T-6TH) Texan II turboprop trainers, delivered between 2022 and 2023. These trainer aircraft are now in active service with the RTAF’s Advanced Training Squadron in Nakhon Pathom Province.
Developed from the T-6C trainer, the AT-6E (AT-6TH) light attack aircraft measures 10.16 metres in length, 3.25 metres in height, and has a wingspan of 10.4 metres. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68D turboprop engine, providing 1,600 shp. The aircraft has a maximum speed of 585 km/h (363 mph), a range of 2735 km (1,700 miles) with four drop tanks, an endurance of 4.5 hours with combat load, and a maximum ceiling of 31,000 ft (9,450 metres).
While the AT-6TH lacks built-in guns, it features six underwing pylons with a total payload capacity of 1,864 kg. These pylons can carry a wide range of guided and unguided bombs, rockets, and missiles such as the AGM-114 Hellfire, along with 12.7 mm gun pods.
As the first AT-6 light attack aircraft operator outside the United States, the RTAF initially planned to order four additional AT-6THs. However, the current status of this plan is still unclear.
Lockheed Martin has delivered the first of eight C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters to the Ohio Youngstown Air Reserve Station,…
Challenge Group has announced the appointment of Eyjolfur (Eyvi) Vestmann Ingolfsson as its new Head of Materials and Logistics, aimed…
SATS Airport Services Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SATS Ltd (SATS), SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC), and Changi Airport…
INJAZ Al-Arab, a Jordan-based non-profit education and training organisation and a member of Junior Achievement (JA) Worldwide, has partnered with…
TransNusa is set to become the first foreign airline to operate from Sultan Abdul Aziz Airport, commonly known as Subang…
SATS Ltd, a Singapore-based provider of air cargo handling services and food solutions, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding…
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has chosen the Swedish-manufactured SAAB JAS 39E/F Gripen over the American Lockheed Martin F-16…
Batik Air Malaysia has unveiled two new routes from Kuala Lumpur to Thailand, with Hat Yai and Krabi being the…
Boeing and Emirates SkyCargo have announced an order for five additional 777 freighters. The purchase takes Emirates' order book to 245…
Boeing aircraft will be conspicuous by their near-total absence from the show, but the American OEM is expected to walk…
Eve Air Mobility will provide an update on key program milestones, including its first full-scale prototype, at the Farnborough Air…
Boeing, which is not bringing any of its commercial jets to this year's Farnborough Airshow, will instead focus on highlighting…
Gulfstream Aerospace has appointed Smitha Hariharan as vice president and chief sustainability officer, effective immediately. In the newly created role,…
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has been upgraded to an 'A' credit rating by S&P Global Ratings, with a stable outlook.…
Qantas will likely use a North Pole route to achieve its Project Sunrise Sydney to London nonstop with the A350-1000…
Fincantieri marked an important milestone with the launch of the seventh PPA (Multipurpose Combat Ship), named "Domenico Millelire," at the…
Sierra Space Corporation, in collaboration with Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., Kanematsu Corporation, and Oita Prefecture, has announced the inclusion of…
The Malaysian Army has recently announced a tender inviting local companies to supply and deliver 800 M72 Light Anti-tank Weapon…
China has proposed supplying the Type 052D destroyer to the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) as part of a broader effort…
Following the recent signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan, reports suggest that the Philippines…
The U.S. military has awarded SRC, Inc. a contract worth USD 25 million to develop the Long-Range Radar, a large…
Australia’s largest international air combat training exercise, Exercise Pitch Black, is set to take place from 12 July to 2…
The Spanish space launcher company, PLD Space, has secured a EUR31.2 million syndicated loan with Banco Santander, EBN Banco, and…
Malaysia Airlines’ inaugural A330neo has been unveiled in Toulouse, proudly displaying the airline’s distinctive Malaysia flag livery. This milestone marks…
IFS, a Sweden-based provider of cloud and industrial AI software, has announced the acquisition of EmpowerMX - an AI-powered aviation…
The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) launched two new Dorang-class patrol vessels in Serang, Banten province, on Friday (Jul. 12). Constructed…
Vietjet, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Laos, has announced a new agreement aimed at…
China Southern Airlines (CSN) and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) have expanded their codeshare flights to encompass three new routes: Guangzhou-Penang, Kuala…
Saudi Arabia has ordered four additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for the Royal Saudi Arabia Air…
Embraer's brand-new E-Freighter, the E190F, will make its first public appearance at the Farnborough International Airshow that will take place…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.