RTAF held the closing ceremony of the modernized program for the Fairchild AU-23A Peacemaker armed gunship, counter-insurgency, and utility transport aircraft of 501st Squadron, Wing 5 5 RTAF base in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province (photos : RTAF/TAI)
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) held a closing ceremony for the project to improve the capabilities of type attack and reconnaissance aircraft, Fairchild AU-23A Peacemaker, at the hangar of Squadron 501, Wing 5, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province on September 18, 2023.
Thai Aviation Industry Company Limited (TAI), the main contractor, announced the important event on its Facebook page on October 17, 2023, after Wing 5 announced it on its online social media on September 19, 2023.
The 14 AU-23A attack and administrative aircraft that have been upgraded are equipped with a four-screen color display cockpit, real-time weather monitoring system, flight assistance, night landings and other new avionics systems, combat pilot training Virtual reality (VR) Flight Simulator system, supporting maintenance and readiness of the 501st Fleet still in operation in October 2023, the AU-23A, which has been modernized, will be able to continue in service for 15 years or about year 2037.
Attack and administrative aircraft Fairchild AU-23A Peacemaker was entered into service with the Royal Thai Air Force on 14 November 1972, of which the Royal Thai Air Force was the only user and the last in the world for this type of aircraft. Throughout the period, of almost 51 years in service, AU-23A has performed many missions throughout Thailand in both wartime and peacetime. The improvement project also supports the Thai aviation industry.
(AAG)