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Ya, I thought that - one of the reasons the USAF rejected the PA-48 (turoprop P-51) was the "prop noise" The pilots got ill from the noise. Don't know if an ACES II would fit anyway.

This site talks of a O-2 + STOL kit and the addition of helio turbines, I like that idea, sort of a cheap OV-10, high wing and all.

The OV-10 has it's own problems, short(er) range and it was loud
"Not to mention a redesign that saves the crew's hearing. The OV-10 had the worst acoustic environment and their crews experienced the most hearing loss compared to other AF planes - at least according to one of my old AF audiologists. " So noise is an issue.

We are not alone in the quest for a good COIN A/C. Seems the Brits are looking as well.

**The military seem to be obsessed with fast jets, yet history has proved that small and slow is far superior for close air support. For the price of one Eurofighter we could have a squadron of Super Tucanos.
They can carry the same ordnance as a Harrier, with its loud bang, but unlike the Harrier, which can be over the battlefield for no more than 20 minutes, Tucanos can loiter overhead for hours on end, ready for use in a ground attack at a moment’s notice.
We also tend to go in for expensive and complicated helicopters, which soak up manpower, like all complicated equipment. There appears to be little understanding of how light helicopters can be used effectively for ground attack.**

However, this Brit put paid to the whole notion of 'cheap COIN' system. Worth the read - as it makes sense!

Budgets cuts will kill this anyway, so at this point, it is pretty much a waste of dollars....