Boeing personnel test-fly Thailand's first AH-6i Little Bird. Thailand's acquisition of eight AH-6i Little Bird light attack helicopters will allow the service to replace its obsolete AH-1IF Cobra helicopters. (Boeing)
Boeing flight tested the Royal Thai Army's (RTA's) first contracted AH-6i Little Bird light attack helicopter for the first time on 22 August at its Mesa, Arizona, facility, the company said on 4 October.
The RTA has eight AH-6i helicopters on order with the contract valued at USD103.8 million. According to a Boeing spokesperson, the helicopter was “inducted into the production flight testing process in the second quarter” of 2024.
“The remaining seven aircraft are in various stages of production now. We are working ... to move the aircraft down the line and through the test flight process,” the spokesperson added on 7 October.
“After completing Thailand's fleet, Boeing will train the RTA pilots at its Mesa site and at US Army Yuma Proving Ground, where they will learn to operate the Little Bird and leverage its … mission capabilities,” Boeing said in its 4 October press statement.
The company did not specify when the pilot training programme would start, deferring the matter to the RTA and the US Army.
According to the company, the RTA “procured the AH-6i as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance aviation readiness and modernise national defence capabilities”. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has said that the AH-6i helicopters will allow the RTA to retire its ageing Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters. Seven Cobras have been in service since 1990.
Boeing has said that deliveries of the Little Birds to Thailand will commence later in 2024.
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