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.
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