Air Force To Deploy US-Built AT-6 Light Attack Aircraft In June

[webfact]

 

A COUPLE OF UNITED STATES-BUILT AT-6 light attack aircraft are scheduled for deployment by the Thai air force at Wing 41 in Chiang Mai in the upcoming June.

 

Wing 41 Commander Capt. Paratorn Jinawat confirmed today (Mar. 12) a couple of Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverine light attack planes are part of a new squadron of eight aircraft of the same type to be deployed at the northern air force base beginning in June.

 

The turboprop AT-6THs which are replacing an ageing squadron of Czech-built L-39 Albatros light attack jets for airborne deterrent missions have been procured for a combined price of 4.5 billion baht, Capt. Paratorn said.

 

The one-engine, two-seater AT-6TH light attack aircraft are primarily designed to conduct reconnaissance and patrols over high terrains of the northern region sharing border with Myanmar and Laos, according to the Wing 41 captain.

 

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

AT-6 Wolverine is a light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft designed and manufactured by Beechcraft, a brand of Textron Aviation. Photo: Airforce-technology.com

 

Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-03-13

 

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[jacko45k]

They should be able to catch subs without engines quite easily. 

[ChrisY1]

Usually used against village people who are not able to fight back.....totally useless otherwise in real combat.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The turboprop AT-6THs which are replacing an ageing squadron of Czech-built L-39 Albatros light attack jets for airborne deterrent missions have been procured for a combined price of 4.5 billion baht, Capt. Paratorn said.

Games....

[sungod]

30 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

Usually used against village people who are not able to fight back.....totally useless otherwise in real combat.

 

And your experience is?

[dinsdale]

The AT-6H Wolverine is a very capable light attack/reconnaisance aircraft.

[JoePai]

A far more sensible choice for this part of the world than the 'fast' jets they wanted to show off with

[fdimike]

Sort of reminds me of the old US A1 & T28.  Great loiter time and much more accurate in a ground support role.  You don't need an F35 for this role.

[herfiehandbag]

A bit light on the "projecting awe" front though!

[mfd101]

Yes, just what they need to frighten the enemy along the border at Preah Vihear.  Cambodians about to crumble.

[KhunLA]

5 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Yes, just what they need to frighten the enemy along the border at Preah Vihear.  Cambodians about to crumble.

Wing 41 ... Chiang Mai.

 

Seems the perfect purpose AC, slow & low flyer, with great great visibility capabilities, to patrol the border recon runs in support of the Army, police, and DEA.  Cheaper, less operational & support cost, than say choppers, and man power to utilize.

[dinsdale]

14 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Yes, just what they need to frighten the enemy along the border at Preah Vihear.  Cambodians about to crumble.

It would definitly frighten me if it was coming in.

https://www.key.aero/article/6e-wolverine-usafs-natural-choice

The Wolverine can be equipped with a range of ordnance, including GBU-12 (500lb) and GBU-58 (250lb) Paveway II laser-guided bombs; GBU-49 (500lb) and GBU-50 (250lb) Paveway II GPS-guided bombs; AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles (ASMs); 2.75in MK156 white phosphorus (WP) unguided rockets and HMP-400 .50 cal gun pods.

 

 

[mikebell]

Attack planes?  Who are they attacking?  In my new book 'Noodles at Noon', I have shown that any invasion of Thailand can be easily achieved if it occurs at midday when the whole of Thailand is shut for at least one hour.

[Hanuman2547]

In case the Thais have to bring in a beefier aircraft they do have the F-16A/B Falcon.  Myanmar does have the Mig-29.  One strayed over the Thai border in 2022.  The F-16A/B Falcon turns tighter, turns faster, can go faster than the Mig-19, can accelerate faster than the Mig-29, has a lower stall speed, has better vertical, and I believe the F-16 has a clearer canopy with no metal bars causing a blind spot.  The Mig-29 scores high on energy maneuverability and capability to gain in a slow-speed close fight, says German pilots who have done combat training operating one against the other.  While the F-16 has an advantage above 200 knots speed, the Mig-29 has incredible nose-pointing capability down to 100 knots.    

 

Of course if you don't have the money for proper maintenance and to keep pilots up to date on the latest improvements for that model it won't matter.

[john donson]

 4.5 billion baht

 

do they come from a museum ?

[Enoon]

Manufactured by Beechcraft.......but originally designed by Pilatus (SWITZERLAND!) as the PC-9:

 

 

Beechcraft licence produce it as the T-6 Trainer (also supplied to RTAF) and, as is common with military trainers, developed an armed Light Attack version.

 

Related news:

https://www.key.aero/article/thailand-retires-pc-9-trainers-after-30-years-ops

 

 

Edited March 13 by Enoon

[John Drake]

4 hours ago, fdimike said:

Sort of reminds me of the old US A1 & T28.  Great loiter time and much more accurate in a ground support role.  You don't need an F35 for this role.

 

O-1 Bird dogs did the job well enough in Laos. These light aircraft are perfect for the SE Asian terrain and the types of missions they will perform.

[billd766]

5 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

Usually used against village people who are not able to fight back.....totally useless otherwise in real combat.

In real combat against what?

[dinsdale]

2 hours ago, john donson said:

 4.5 billion baht

 

do they come from a museum ?

Currently in service with the USAF. These are modern aircraft. It seems the one who belongs in a museum may be yourself.

And pretty good looking....

 

[Ben Zioner]

Second hand A10 is all that's needed for Thailand, maybe 20 or 30 and a lot of choppers. A10s will be easier to fly in a straight line for Thai pilots. That propeller thingy might cause them problems, unless they modify it to alternate one rev left, one rev right, one rev left...

[Hanuman2547]

10 hours ago, John Drake said:

 

O-1 Bird dogs did the job well enough in Laos.

Yes they did!

[brianthainess]

Thank god they are not buying anything sensible like drones.  

[JimGant]

Since they're not made by Boeing, the doors and panels shouldn't fall off.

 

Excellent replacement for the light attack OV-10s that Wing 41 retired many years ago.