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Prize                                        other equipment. The Integrated System will support the RTAF’s   [ AIR  SYSTEMS ]

                                                     41st Wing light attack operations at Chiang Mai Air Base, with the
                                                     aircraft to be used for operations that include border security,
                                                     anti-smuggling, counter-narcotics and anti-human trafficking.

        Catch                                        Purpose-built for light attack, counter-insurgency and countering
                                                     violent extremist organizations (C-VEO) missions, the Beechcraft
                                                     AT-6 Wolverine capitalizes on the proven heritage of the T-6 Texan
                                                     II and delivers 4th generation capabilities at 2nd generation acqui-
                                                     sition, operating and sustainment costs. The U.S. Air Force is the
                                                     first U.S. operator of the aircraft; the service took delivery of its


        THE ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE                     first AT-6 Wolverine in December last year.
                                                     Added Teeth
        (RTAF) HAS BECOME THE FIRST                  The aircraft is an upgraded version of the T-6 and featuring a
        INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMER OF                    datalink and integrated electro-optical sensors which are absent
        THE BEECHCRAFT AT-6 LIGHT                    on the T-6. The aircraft’s engine has also been improved to deliver
                                                     1,600 shp (1193 kW) of power compared to T-6’s 1,100 shp (820
        ATTACK AIRCRAFT                              kW) engine. The AT-6 has a maximum speed of about 585 km/h,
                                                     a maximum endurance of 4.5 hours with internal fuel, and a ferry
          Arun Sivasankaran                          range of about 3,195 km with four external tanks. Designed with
                                                     seven hardpoints, six of them under the wings, the AT-6 Wolverine
                                                     can carry 1,864 kg of external loads including assorted weapons
        The international launch customer of Textron   such as AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, precision-guided and unguided
        Aviation’s Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine aircraft   bombs, rockets, and gun pods.
        is from Southeast Asia.
                                                     “THE RTAF IS A KEY U.S. SECURITY ALLY AND
        Textron Aviation Defense will supply eight air-  OPERATOR OF ONE OF THE MOST ADVANCED AIR
        craft of the type to the Royal Thai Air Force   FORCES IN ASIA PACIFIC,” Thomas Hammoor, President
        (RTAF) as part of a US$143 million contract   and Chief Executive Officer of Textron Aviation Defence.
        signed during the recently concluded Dubai
        Airshow. The deal will also include  ground   “ ITS EXTENSIVE MARKET RESEARCH AND
        support equipment, spare parts, training and  STRINGENT PROCUREMENT PROCESS SOUGHT



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