We aren't talking about a replacement for tactical aircraft, we are talking about a mixed ISR/FAC(A)/light attack aircraft to be used in a specific permissive counter insurgency environment.
There is the opportunity to procure the Tucano, but it was shot down in Congress because it wasn't a U.S. produced aircraft. This was an all but done deal and now the troops this aircraft was supposed to support have to go without.
Excellent points.
.