The first of eight Boeing AH-6 Little Bird light attack helicopters for the Royal Thai Army successfully completed its maiden flight on August 22, at Boeing's facility in Mesa, Arizona.
Following the delivery of the AH-6 fleet, Boeing will train the Royal Thai Army pilots at its Mesa site and the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground. This training will enable them to operate the Little Bird and utilise its versatile mission capabilities.
The Royal Thai Army acquired the AH-6 as part of its ongoing efforts to boost aviation readiness and modernise its national defence capabilities. Designed for a variety of missions and operating environments, the AH-6 features a purpose-built military fuselage, an integrated cockpit and the latest fully integrated weapons systems to meet diverse customer requirements globally.
Boeing was awarded the contract for the eight helicopters by the U.S. Department of Defense as part of a Foreign Military Sales order in February 2022. The agreement includes spares, training devices, support equipment, and technical publications for the Thai customer.