Royal Thai Air Force Inks $143 Million Contract For Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine Light Attack Aircraft

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The Royal Thai Air Force recently signed a $143 million contract for eight Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine turboprop fighter aircraft to RTAF, as well as ground support equipment, spare parts, training, and more. (Photo courtesy of Textron Aviation.)

Textron Aviation Defense LLC and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) have reached a $143 million deal for an Integrated System that will support 41st Wing light-attack operations at Chiang Mai Air Base in Thailand. The contract includes eight Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine turboprop fighter aircraft, as well as ground support equipment, spare parts, training, and other equipment. The AT-6 Wolverine will replace aging Aero L-39 Albatros aircraft currently in the RTAF fleet.

A Broad Array Of Missions

The contract makes Thailand the international launch customer for the U.S. Air Force’s AT-6 Wolverine, Textron says. The Beechcraft AT-6, designated as the Beechcraft AT-6TH in Thailand, will support modernisation and interoperability goals that are part of a mutual defence cooperation effort between the United States and Thailand. The contract will also help expand Thailand’s aerospace industry, help the Thai National Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC) comply with requirements it has established, and provide RTAF light attack aircrew with a technological advantage.

“We are honored the Royal Thai Air Force has competitively selected the Beechcraft AT-6 to conduct a broad array of missions in support of its border security and its anti-smuggling, counter-narcotics, and anti-human trafficking operations,” says Textron Aviation Defense LLC President and CEO Thomas Hammoor. “The RTAF is a key U.S. security ally and operator of one of the most advanced air forces in Asia Pacific.”

The Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine

The Beechcraft AT-6TH is the second procurement the RTAF has contracted to support the Thai government’s S-Curve 11 strategy, a development program for the Thai domestic defence industry that cultivates diversity and supports the involvement of foreign and Thai companies. The program’s first procurement in 2020 was for the Beechcraft T-6TH Texan II.

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Textron Aviation Defense LLC President and CEO Thomas Hammoor (far left) joins Textron Aviation Defense and Royal Thai Air Force officials for the RTAF’s recent contract signing for eight Beechcraft AT-6TH aircraft. (Photo courtesy of Textron Aviation.)

Textron Aviation Defense LLC designed the Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine to carry out light attack, counter-insurgency, and countering violent extremist organizations (C-VEO) missions. Textron says the aircraft delivers fourth-generation abilities at second-generation acquisition, operating, and sustainment costs. The aircraft equips a Lockheed Martin A-10C mission computer with CMC Esterline glass cockpit and flight-management systems, and F-16 Hands-On-Throttle-And-Stick. The AT-6 Wolverine’s seven hardpoints allow loadouts of 13 or more general-purpose and precision munitions for close-air support and light attack missions. The AT-6 Wolverine can accommodate more than 65 standard load configurations, plus nonstandard asymmetric configurations.

Find The Right Beechcraft Aircraft

AviationTrader.com.au offers a big selection of new and used Beechcraft aircraft for sale, as well as piston- and turbine-powered military aircraft. Beechcraft is a Textron Aviation company.

Calculate Aircraft Costs Over Time

To determine how much specific aircraft will cost your organisation over time, and to compare the operating costs of multiple types of aircraft, visit Aircraft Cost Calculator.

Source: Textron Aviation