- Yes
- No
Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverine - Royal Thai Air Force’s Werewolf
Hi and welcome to my 44th suggestion, which is about my most favourite prop aircraft: Thailands Beechcraft AT-6TH, and in fact also my first prop suggestion, hope you like it. 
First of all:
- This is a suggestion for an aircraft we could see in game at some point in the Future , that doesn´t mean next Patch or somewhere in the near Future
- Feel free to share more Information and / or correct me if something is wrong
- Discuss respectfully, any aggressive kind or verbal abuse will be reported, the Forum rules also apply here
Background History
In the 1990s both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy introduced the Joint Basic Aircraft Training System Program (JPATS program) with the goal in mind to replace the outdated T-37B and T-34C aircraft with a trainer aircraft model. This move aimed to enhance compatibility in terms of parts, maintenance and operations leading to cost reductions while offering aircraft manufacturers opportunities. The program attracted interest with companies from the United States collaborating with aircraft manufacturers to present proposals featuring existing models or their enhancements.
One of these submissions was Raytheon Beach’s PC-9 Mk.II, a modified version of the PC-9 turboprop trainer aircraft developed by Pilatus of Switzerland for the JPATS program.
On June 22, 1995, the PC-9 Mk.II was adopted as the joint primary training aircraft and was named T-6, in homage to the T-6 Texan, a North American reciprocating training aircraft that served from the 1930s to the 1960s was in use. Initially, 141 aircraft were ordered under the name T-6A Texan II, and serial production began in 1999.
The upgraded T-6B model differed from its predecessor, the T-6A by incorporating features such as a glass cockpit, HUD (Head Up Display) HOTAS (Hands On Throttle and Stick) concepts and three fixed points on each side under the wing. This design evolution eventually led to a specialized attack variant equipped with armament capabilities. The AT-6 was part of the Light Air Support (LAS) program intended for deployment in Afghanistan by the US Air Force. Faced competition from the A-29 Super Tucano. Both aircraft were contenders, for the OA-X light attack aircraft program of the US Air Force; however this initiative was indefinitely postponed in December 2018.
In 2020 two AT-6Es were ordered to enhance the development and standardization of the air combat command.
In the same year, it was announced that the Royal Thai Air Force’s placed a $162 million order for twelve T-60TH Texan II training aircraft, a derivate of the T-6C Texan II, and the following year it placed another order for eight AT-6TH Wolverine attack aircraft, a modified derivate of the AT-6E.
The T-6TH Texan II training aircraft have already been delivered between 2022 and 2023. Training on the AT-6TH, however, began, according to an official announcement from the RTAF, in spring 2024 on the Textron site with pilots from the Royal Thai Air Force. The finished AT-6TH have already received their RTAF paintwork and will be transferred to Thailand in June 2024.
The AT-6TH Wolverine Overall
The AT-6TH Wolverine features a streamlined low-wing monoplane design, distinguished by a comparatively compact tail configuration comprising a solitary vertical tail fin and horizontally positioned low-set planes.
The armor protected cockpit, enclosed by a large canopy, offers a clear view on the surroundings. Sporting a mission-oriented Cockpit 4000 avionics suite by CMC Esterline, the glass cockpit boasts three high-resolution displays, a SparrowHawk head-up display (HUD), F-16s hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS), engine indication and caution advisory system, stores management system, AN/APR-39 radar-warning-receiver (RWR) and AN/AAR-47 missile-approach-warning-systems (MAWS), as well as a Lockheed Martin A-10C combat mission computer and the Scorpion HMCS, worlds first multi-color HMCS, for the Pilotshelmets, which can also be found on the Rafale F.4.
Cockpit Pictures
Beneath the fuselage, the WESCAM MX-15Di sensor suite, including an advanced video tracker (AVT), a high-definition short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera, and an infrared (IR) image processor. Additionally, the aircraft features a laser designator, illumination flares, MJU-7/10 countermeassure dispenders, and a range finder.
Navigation is facilitated by an onboard GPS system, ensuring precise maneuvering.
Internally, the AT-6TH Wolverine can store up to 544kg of fuel, with the option to mount two external fuel tanks, increasing capacity to 932kg. With four external fuel tanks, the maximum usable fuel load reaches 1,319kg.
Powering the AT-6TH Wolverine is the advanced PT6A-68D turboprop diesel engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC), driving a four-bladed propeller. With a maximum power generation capacity of 1,177kW (1,600shp), the aircraft can achieve a top speed of Mach 0.67 when armed. It boasts a formidable range of 3,195km without mid-air refueling and can carry a maximum payload of 1,864kg.
Armament of the AT-6TH Wolverine
The AT-6 Wolverine features seven dedicated hard-points on its frame. Three on each wing and one under the central fuselage section. Four of these hard-points support MIL-STD-1760 standard for guided munition. The AT-6TH’s known armament includes dumb bombs, MK156 rockets, APKWS II laser-guided rockets and GBU-12 / -58 laser-guided bombs, as well as pratice bombs, laser guided variants of the AGM-114 Hellfire and HMP400 gun pods with one FN M3P .50 caliber each.
It is also known from reports that the AT-6TH is planned to have German IRIS-T missiles integrated, its unknown whether this has already happened or not, but it is likely that this will only happen in Thailand later in service, similar to the F -16A Block 15 (e)MLU and F- 5TH Super Tigris.
An AT-6E was tested with AIM-9M / X, but no such information was given for the AT-6TH, except plans for future addition of the IRIS-T.
Dumb- / Guided- Bombs & Rockets
- 6x MK.81
- 4x MK.82
- 2x GBU-12
- 2x GBU-58
- 4x APKWS II
- 4x MK156
- 4-6x AGM-114B / K / N
Other / Pods
- 1x Wescam MX-15Di EO/IR
- 2-4x HMP400
- 2-4x Fuel Tanks
Specifications, Electronics and Internal
- Crew: 2
- Length: 10,16 m
- Wingspan: 10,4 m
- Height: 3,25 m
- Wing area: 16,6 m2
- Empty weight: 2.671 kg
- Max. takeoff weight: 4.536 kg
- Engine: 1x Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68D w/ 1.600 shp
- Maximum speed:
- Mach 0.67
- Service ceiling: 12.730 m
- Rate of climb: 35,5 m/s
- Maximum g-load:
- +6g / -2,5g w/ EO/IR pod
- +7g / -3,5g
Thanks for your time, hope you liked it 
[Will add more if there are some (more) important / declassified things]
[PM or comment if a Link or Picture isn´t working]
Sources:
Links
Redirecting...
Redirecting...
Redirecting...
AT-6
T-6C
Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine - Africair, Inc.
Royal Thai Air Force awards contract for fleet of Beechcraft AT-6 aircraft, becomes international launch customer for latest USAF light attack aircraft | Textron Aviation Media Center
AT-6B Light Attack Aircraft / Trainer, United States of America | Thai Military and Asian Region
Wolverine on the Light Attack trail...
https://www.armadainternational.com/2021/11/royal-thai-air-force-selects-beechcraft-at-6-wolverine-for-light-attack-role/
AT–6 Wolverine: On the prowl - AOPA
AAG_th บันทึกประจำวัน: กองทัพอากาศไทยทดสอบระบบเครือข่าย AERONet สหรัฐฯสำหรับเครื่องบินโจมตีเบาใบพัด AT-6TH
AAG_th บันทึกประจำวัน: เครื่องบินโจมตีและฝึก AT-6E Wolverine สหรัฐฯเดินทางมาถึงไทยแล้ว
AAG_th บันทึกประจำวัน: กองทัพอากาศไทยจัดแสดงเครื่องบินฝึก บ.ฝ.๒๒ T-6TH หมายเลข 04 และ 05 ในงานวันเด็ก ๒๕๖๖
Book / Other:
Textron Aviation Defense - Beechcraft AT-6 Brochure (Archived)
Textron Aviation Defense - Beechcraft Brochures (extended) (Archived)
Hawker Beechcraft - Dispelling the Myth - The T-6 is not a PC-9 (Archived)
Textron Aviation Defense - Beechcraft T-6C Texan II Brochure (Archived)
List of Suggestions of ASEAN region
