I'm partial to the AT-6
These aircraft are cheaper to operate and can respond faster than the A-10 in many circumstances.
The ability to respond quickly to disrupt and break up an attack or ambush as soon as possible after contact is a nice thing to have and these smaller aircraft can provide that sort of support and then stick around to act as FAC for larger aircraft or artillery support afterwards
Agree from what I’ve seen so far. I don’t know enough to comment on cost/schedule as I’m out of the loop for that. Now you’ve got me interested in how the AirTrackers have been in operational use, will ask around and report back if I find out. I’ve only seen them in person further up the deployment chain. Pretty cockpit for a “crop duster”. :)
The dirty little secret is that the AT-6 doesn’t have a U.S. airworthiness certification. The USAF decided in 2013 that there was too much technical risk. The Philippines just turned down the AT-6 in favor of the A-29 for the same reason.