Aircraft & UAVs

AT-6 Wolverine

Also known as
  • Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine
  • AT-6E Wolverine
  • AT-6TH Wolverine
  • บ.จ.8

Textron Aviation Defense's AT-6 Wolverine is the armed version of the T-6 family, a turboprop light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft built around a digital cockpit, seven hardpoints, NATO-compatible weapons stations, and a combat-oriented sensor suite. Thailand's AT-6TH variant gives the catalog a documented conflict-use path through Royal Thai Air Force reporting on the 2025 border fighting with Cambodia.

AT-6 Wolverine, Light attack and armed reconnaissance turboprop aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: 81st FS AT-6E Wolverine - Wikimedia Commons

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Light attack and armed reconnaissance turboprop aircraft
Service note
2020s-present
Designer
Textron Aviation Defense
Produced
2020-present
Developed from
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II

Specifications

Engine
One Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68D turboprop, 1,600 shp (1,177 kW)
Length
33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)
Wingspan
34 ft 3 in (10.4 m)
Maximum takeoff weight
10,000 lb (4,536 kg)
Hardpoints
7
Weapons stations
6 NATO standard stations
Mission systems
Lockheed Martin A-10C mission computer, CMC Esterline glass cockpit, SparrowHawk HUD, F-16 HOTAS, and Gentex Scorpion helmet-mounted cueing system
Sensor turret
L3 Wescam MX-15D multi-sensor suite with color and infrared cameras, laser designator, laser illuminator, and laser rangefinder
Maximum speed
0.67 Mach (316 KIAS)
Ferry range
1,725 nm (3,195 km) with four external fuel tanks
Designation And Operators

The AT-6 page covers operator designations inside the same armed T-6 family rather than separate cataloged aircraft variants.

AT-6E

The U.S. Air Force ordered two AT-6E Wolverines for light-attack experimentation, partner-nation tactics work, and certification activity.

AT-6TH

Thailand's AT-6TH fleet is the Royal Thai Air Force designation for eight aircraft assigned to 411 Squadron at Chiang Mai Air Base and described in Thai service as บ.จ.8.

Mission Systems

The Wolverine adapts a trainer-derived airframe around combat avionics, an electro-optical targeting turret, and data-link concepts intended for partner-force light attack and armed reconnaissance missions.

Mission computer

Textron lists a Lockheed Martin A-10C mission computer with a CMC Esterline glass cockpit and flight-management system.

Targeting sensor

The L3 Wescam MX-15D turret provides color and infrared cameras plus laser designation, illumination, and ranging functions.

Network role

U.S. AT-6E work supported AERONet partner-nation tactics, while Thai reporting places AT-6TH aircraft inside the RTAF Link-T data-link environment.

Supported Loads

Textron Aviation Defense lists the AT-6 Wolverine's supported loads as the HMP-400 .50 caliber gun pod, practice bombs, MK-81 and MK-82 bombs, GBU-12, GBU-58, GBU-59, GBU-49, APKWS, TALON, GATR 2.75-inch rockets, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and LUU-2 and MJU-7/10 flares.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
Mk 82 500-pound unguided bomb, Air-delivered 500-pound low-drag general-purpose bomb, MunitionsMk 82 500-pound unguided bomb500-pound general-purpose bomb

Textron Aviation Defense lists the MK-82 (500 lb.) general purpose bomb among the AT-6 Wolverine's supported loads.

Sources: AT-6 Wolverine and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | Textron Aviation Defense

Mk 82 fitted with a Paveway- or Lizard-series guidance kit, 500-pound guided-bomb configuration, MunitionsMk 82 fitted with a Paveway- or Lizard-series guidance kit500-pound laser-guided bomb

Textron Aviation Defense lists the GBU-12 (500 lb.) Paveway II laser-guided bomb among the AT-6 Wolverine's supported loads, and also lists GBU-58 and GBU-59 Paveway II variants on the same page.

Sources: AT-6 Wolverine and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | Textron Aviation Defense

GBU-58 Paveway II, 250-pound laser-guided bomb, MunitionsGBU-58 Paveway II250-pound laser-guided bomb

Textron Aviation Defense lists the GBU-58 (250 lb.) Paveway II laser-guided bomb and the GBU-59 (250 lb.) Enhanced Paveway II GPS/laser-guided bomb among the AT-6 Wolverine's supported loads.

Sources: AT-6 Wolverine and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | Textron Aviation Defense

APKWS / WGU-59 guided rockets, Guided rocket munition family, MunitionsAPKWS / WGU-59 guided rockets2.75-inch laser-guided rocket

Textron Aviation Defense lists APKWS, TALON, and GATR 2.75-inch laser-guided rockets among the AT-6 Wolverine's supported loads.

Sources: AT-6 Wolverine and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | Textron Aviation Defense

AGM-114 Hellfire missile family, Air-to-surface missile family, MunitionsAGM-114 Hellfire missile familyLaser-guided missile family

Textron Aviation Defense lists AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided missiles among the AT-6 Wolverine's supported loads.

Sources: AT-6 Wolverine and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | Textron Aviation Defense

GATR 2.75-inch laser-guided rocket, 70 mm laser-guided rocket, MunitionsGATR 2.75-inch laser-guided rocket70 mm laser-guided rocket

Textron Aviation Defense lists GATR 2.75-inch laser-guided rockets among the AT-6 Wolverine's supported loads.

Sources: AT-6 Wolverine and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | Textron Aviation Defense

12.7 mm gun pod, 0.50-caliber gun pod, Support Equipment12.7 mm gun pod0.50-caliber gun pod

Textron Aviation Defense lists the HMP-400 .50 caliber guns among the AT-6 Wolverine's supported loads.

Sources: AT-6 Wolverine and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | Textron Aviation Defense

GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II, 500-pound GPS/laser-guided bomb, MunitionsGBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II500-pound GPS/laser-guided bomb

Textron Aviation Defense lists the GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II GPS/laser-guided bomb among the AT-6 Wolverine's supported loads.

Sources: AT-6 Wolverine and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | Textron Aviation Defense

Mark 81 bomb, 250-pound general-purpose bomb, MunitionsMark 81 bomb250-pound general-purpose bomb

Textron Aviation Defense lists the MK-81 (250 lb.) general purpose bomb among the AT-6 Wolverine's supported loads.

Sources: AT-6 Wolverine and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | Textron Aviation Defense

LUU-2 illuminating flare, air-launched illumination flare, MunitionsLUU-2 illuminating flareIllumination flare

Textron Aviation Defense lists LUU-2 illumination flares among the AT-6 Wolverine's supported loads.

Sources: AT-6 Wolverine and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | Textron Aviation Defense

MJU-7/10 flare family, Infrared decoy flare family, MunitionsMJU-7/10 flare familyFlare family

Textron Aviation Defense lists MJU-7/10 flares among the AT-6 Wolverine's supported loads.

Sources: AT-6 Wolverine and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | Textron Aviation Defense

Timeline

AT-6 Wolverine Key Events

  1. U.S. Air Force launch order

    Textron Aviation Defense announced a $70.2 million U.S. Air Force contract for two AT-6E Wolverine aircraft, training, and contractor support.

    Sources: Textron Aviation Defense announces $70.2M U.S. Air Force contract award for two Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine aircraft, training and support services

  2. Royal Thai Air Force becomes launch customer

    Textron Aviation Defense said the Royal Thai Air Force had ordered AT-6 aircraft for 41st Wing light attack operations.

    Sources: Royal Thai Air Force awards contract for fleet of Beechcraft AT-6 aircraft

  3. Two AT-6E aircraft arrive at Moody AFB

    The 23rd Wing received two AT-6E Wolverines at Moody Air Force Base for 81st Fighter Squadron pilots to fly with partner-nation personnel and demonstrate the AERONet data link.

    Sources: Air Combat Command: Moody receives two AT-6E Wolverine aircraft

  4. ACC partner experiment concludes

    Air Combat Command said the AT-6E collaboration with personnel from Colombia, Nigeria, Thailand, and Tunisia ended at Moody Air Force Base, and the two aircraft returned to the manufacturer.

    Sources: Air Combat Command: AT-6E experiment culminates

  5. Military Type Certification

    The AT-6E Wolverine received Military Type Certification from the U.S. Air Force, clearing the way for continued international sales.

    Sources: Textron Aviation Defense Beechcraft AT-6E Wolverine achieves Military Type Certification from the United States Air Force

  6. RTAF receives first two AT-6TH aircraft

    Wing 41 welcomed the first two AT-6TH light attack aircraft under Thailand's eight-aircraft program for Squadron 411, replacing retired L-39ZA/ART aircraft.

    Sources: RTAF Wing 41 welcomes first two AT-6TH light attack aircraft

  7. Royal Thai Air Force commissioning

    The Royal Thai Air Force commissioned eight AT-6TH Wolverines, with 411 Squadron at Chiang Mai Air Base operating the type after the first pair arrived in July 2024.

    Sources: RTAF commissions light attack aircraft type 8 (AT-6TH), Thai PBS: RTAF commissions AT-6TH at 411 Squadron, Asian Military Review: Thailand AT-6TH Wolverines

Media

AT-6 Wolverine Videos

AT-6 Wolverine Images

AT-6 Wolverine, Light attack and armed reconnaissance turboprop aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: AT-6 Wolverine - RIAT 2016 - Wikimedia Commons
Related Weapon Systems
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, Military turboprop trainer aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsBeechcraft T-6 Texan IIMilitary turboprop trainer aircraftThe Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is Textron Aviation Defense's turboprop military trainer family for joint primary, naval, export, and mission-oriented pilot instruction. Developed from the Beech/Pilatus PC-9 Mk II for the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System, the family spans U.S. T-6A, T-6B, and T-6D service aircraft, export T-6C trainers, country designations such as Thailand's T-6TH and the RAF's Texan T1, and the related AT-6 Wolverine light-attack derivative.
M16 rifle, Assault rifle, Infantry WeaponsInfantry WeaponsM16 rifleAssault rifleThe M16 is a U.S.-origin 5.56x45mm assault-rifle family that evolved from 1955 Vietnam War service into the M16A1, M16A2 and M16A4 lineage. Current Army and FN references describe the M16A4 as a gas-operated, shoulder-fired, 20-inch-barrel rifle with rail and optics compatibility, while conflict-specific sources document continued use from Marawi and Afghanistan to Israeli wartime response teams, Iraqi partner-force training and Colombian FARC dissident seizures.

Sources

AT-6 Wolverine and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | Textron Aviation DefensePublisher: Textron Aviation Defense | Note: Supports the AT-6 Wolverine's light attack and armed reconnaissance role, T-6 family commonality, mission computer, cockpit, HUD, helmet cueing, MX-15D sensor fit, published specifications, and supported loads list that includes GATR 2.75-inch laser-guided rockets, GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II bombs, MK-81 general-purpose bombs, LUU-2 illumination flares, and the MJU-7/10 flare family. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Textron Aviation Defense announces $70.2M U.S. Air Force contract award for two Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine aircraft, training and support servicesPublisher: Textron Aviation Media Center | Note: Supports U.S. Air Force AT-6E Wolverine procurement for the light attack experiment and operational tactics development. | Accessed: 2026-06-26Royal Thai Air Force awards contract for fleet of Beechcraft AT-6 aircraftPublisher: Textron Aviation Media Center | Note: Supports Royal Thai Air Force launch-customer context and AT-6TH light attack procurement. | Accessed: 2026-06-26Textron Aviation Defense Beechcraft AT-6E Wolverine achieves Military Type Certification from the United States Air ForcePublisher: Textron Aviation Media Center | Note: Supports AT-6E certification and continued global sales context. | Accessed: 2026-06-26Air Combat Command: Moody receives two AT-6E Wolverine aircraftPublisher: Air Combat Command | Note: Supports U.S. Air Force AT-6E arrival at Moody Air Force Base, 81st Fighter Squadron flying with partner-nation personnel, and AERONet tactics-development context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Air Combat Command: AT-6E experiment culminatesPublisher: Air Combat Command | Note: Supports the June 2022 conclusion of the AT-6E collaboration, partner nations involved, AERONet context, and return of the two aircraft to the manufacturer. | Accessed: 2026-07-01RTAF Wing 41 welcomes first two AT-6TH light attack aircraftPublisher: Royal Thai Air Force | Note: Thai-language official RTAF page supporting the July 16, 2024 welcome ceremony for the first two AT-6TH aircraft, the eight-aircraft program, Squadron 411 and Wing 41 assignment, and L-39ZA/ART replacement context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01RTAF commissions light attack aircraft type 8 (AT-6TH)Publisher: Royal Thai Air Force | Note: Thai-language official RTAF page supporting the September 4, 2025 commissioning of AT-6TH as light attack aircraft type 8, eight-aircraft delivery completion, Squadron 411 and Wing 41 service, and Textron contract date. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Thai PBS: RTAF commissions AT-6TH at 411 SquadronPublisher: Thai PBS | Note: Supports Royal Thai Air Force commissioning of eight AT-6TH aircraft at 411 Squadron, pilot readiness, 2021 procurement date, and Thai border-security mission context. | Accessed: 2026-07-0181st FS AT-6E Wolverine - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the AT-6E Wolverine aircraft photo, identified by Commons as a U.S. Air Force public-domain image from DVIDS. | Accessed: 2026-06-26AT-6 Wolverine - RIAT 2016 - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the RIAT 2016 AT-6 Wolverine photo, credited on Commons to Airwolfhound with CC BY-SA 2.0 licensing. | Accessed: 2026-06-26Asian Military Review: Thailand AT-6TH WolverinesPublisher: Asian Military Review | Note: Supports 2025 Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict direct use by reporting that Royal Thai Air Force AT-6TH Wolverines were involved in the July 2025 Thai-Cambodian border skirmishes, and supports Thai commissioning, 411 Squadron service, sensor, weapons, and delivery context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01