USAF inducts Wolverine light attack aircraft into service

The US Air Force (USAF) has received into service its first Textron AT-6E Wolverine light attack aircraft, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) announced on 17 February.

The first of two Textron AT-6E Wolverine light attack aircraft for the US Air Force was received on 17 February. Along with a pair of SNC-Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos, these aircraft will be used to continue its Light Attack Experiment (LAE). (Air Force Life Cycle Management Center )

The twin-seat single-engine turboprop is the first of two Wolverines and two SNC-Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos that the USAF ordered in early 2020 to continue its Light Attack Experiment (LAE).

“A new aircraft just entered the US Air Force! Congrats to our Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate’s Light Attack Aircraft Program Office, for leading efforts to acquire and field Textron Aviation’s AT-6 Wolverine!” the AFLCMC tweeted from its official account.

The USAF-specific AT-6E designation for the Wolverine appears to comprise the AT-6/AT-6B/AT-6B light attack configuration of the baseline T-6 Texan II trainer, plus satellite communications (an antenna is located atop the nose) and other undisclosed USAF equipment. Interestingly, the images released by the USAF show the Wolverine to be finished in European One-style camouflage which has not been in general use since the 1980s.