RV Connex Participates in RTAF Maintenance Forum 2026 Showcasing Combat Management Systems, K-18M Kamikaze Drone, and a Decade of Defence Aviation Partnership

Bangkok, 20 July 2026 — R V Connex Co., Ltd. was invited to participate in the Royal Thai Air Force Maintenance Forum 2026 — a knowledge exchange seminar jointly organised by the Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering, Directorate of Air Force Communications Electronics, and Directorate of Air Force Ordnance — held at the RTAF Directorate of Supply Learning Centre, Don Mueang, Bangkok. The forum was convened under the directive of the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force B.E. 2569, specifically under Objective 2.1 on Infrastructure, Equipment and Technology: to bring ageing systems up to Military Specification (Mil Spec) standards, enhance environmental resilience, and improve maintainability and mobility across the force.

The event brought together defence industry partners and RTAF representatives to exchange knowledge and explore solutions that will shape the next generation of Thailand's air power maintenance capability. RV Connex's booth drew strong interest from visitors across multiple directorates and branches of the armed forces.

Cockpit Procedure Trainer (CPT) and Combat Management System (CMS) — Visitors experienced a live Alpha Jet simulated combat mission, receiving real-time target data directly from the CMS platform, which tracked and designated air, naval, and ground targets simultaneously before issuing strike, escort, and return-to-base commands. The integrated demonstration offered a compelling picture of modern command-and-control — from sensor to decision to action.

T-OR and TANN FPV Tactical UAV Systems — Engineered as a closed-loop ISR-to-Strike pair, T-OR identifies and confirms targets while TANN delivers the precision strike. The modern battlefield does not simply demand intelligence — it demands the ability to convert intelligence into decision and action, immediately. Two platforms. One mission.

K-18M Kamikaze Drone (Loitering Munition) — RV Connex introduced the K-18M to the RTAF audience for the first time. Designed around a Hybrid Tactic concept that merges intelligence gathering and precision strike into a single sortie, the K-18M carries a 5kg payload to a service ceiling of 8,000 feet with 3-hour endurance and an 80km data link range, at a cruise speed of 80 knots and a maximum of 100 knots. Launched by catapult and recovered by parachute, it is deployable from a Personal Ground Control Station (PGCS), 20-foot container, or fixed site.

The booth also presented RV Connex's concrete portfolio of programmes delivered in direct partnership with the Royal Thai Air Force and in collaboration with leading global defence prime contractors. Direct RTAF contracts include the Alpha Jet (บ.จ.7) Avionics and weapons systems upgrade and the AU-23 Peacemaker (บ.จร.2) capability enhancement programme. As a primary sub-contractor, RV Connex has partnered with TAI to develop, produce, and integrate the RTAF U-1 UAV system; with Elbit Systems to design and install Mechanical and Electrical A-Kit and B-Kit configurations for the Northrop F-5 (บ.ข.18); and with Textron to manufacture Electrical A-Kit components for the T-6C trainer and develop the Data Link system for the AT-6 Wolverine.

These programmes are underpinned by internationally recognised certifications that directly address military aviation requirements: AS9100D — covering design and manufacturing of electronic enclosures, wire harnesses, sheet metal, machine parts, and composite aircraft components; ISO 9001:2015 for electronic repair and engine maintenance services; IPC Standards for electronic assembly at aviation-grade quality levels; and MIL-STD specifications governing durability, reliability, and system performance under real operational environments — directly aligned with the Mil Spec objectives that underpin this forum. These are not background credentials — they are the reason global prime contractors choose RV Connex as their Thai partner, and the reason the Royal Thai Air Force can trust what comes out of our production line.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sujate Jantarang, President of R V Connex Co., Ltd., stated: "Thailand's defence industry will only grow into what it is capable of being when the private sector, government, and the armed forces move forward together — closely and consistently. We do not come to events like this merely to display products. We come to listen, to understand what the military truly needs, and to carry those requirements back into our development process. That is the model that will build a defence industry that is genuinely strong and genuinely sustainable."

RV Connex extends its sincere appreciation to the Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering, Directorate of Air Force Communications Electronics, Directorate of Air Force Ordnance, and all visiting organisations for their engagement and support at Maintenance Forum 2026. The company remains committed to introducing new innovations and capabilities that contribute to Thailand's defence self-reliance — preserving the nation's technical knowledge and developing its next generation of defence talent for years to come.