Read an interesting article in the Air Force times today - but can't find anything on the web regarding the AT-6 Texan II. The AF has been slammed by many on its tendency to view conflicts in which the AF plays a supporting role as less important, as well as their value of technology and equipment over all else, including tactics and doctrine. I'm not sure I agree with that, not to the extent the article ridiculed the USAF anyway. However, the AF is going to begin using AT-6 Texan II's in the LA/Recon roles for counterinsurgency operations.
I didn't get to fly the T-6, but she's a damn fine craft. She can carry a decent payload - I saw two hellfires on port outboard stations, some sort of precision guided bomb on the inboards, and on the starboard outboard station looked to be a 2.75" rocket pod.
A major benefit is the lower operating cost of the light, small turboprop A/C, as opposed to the larger turbofan jets. While her payload is not as large as Longbows or new Cobras - she can haul it much further and faster. Raytheon also included armoring of the cockpit and engine compartment for protection.
Top US Army officials have reportely expressed interest in this aircraft as a tank buster - but I'm sure that's going to get pretty political, being a fixed wing attack A/C.
This is a major change in direction for the USAF, if indeed to do continue down this road and stand up AT-6 Squadrons. There is also buzz about its export potential. It's lower unit cost, as well as operating costs, will make it attractive to smaller nations, rather than considering the F-5 Tiger II, which has enjoyed export success, but her costs often consume the smaller nations that attempt to stand up squadrons of Tigers.
From baseops.net: