An F-16C Fighting Falcon flies over Afghanistan after an in-air refuelling mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, July 22, 2014. The use of fighter jets in providing close air support, while delivering an effective capability, comes at some cost.

At the extreme end, F-22 stealth fighter were used at a cost-per-flight-hour of around $70,000.

Textron Aviation’s AT-6 Wolverine participating in combat mission scenarios in the Light Attack Experiment at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The experiment ran from July 31 to August 31, 2017.

The AT-802L Longsword light attack and ISR aircraft is another platform put forward for the OA-X effort.

The Super Tucano has entered service with a number of countries, such as the Brazilian Air Force, pictured patrolling the Amazon

An Afghan Air Force A-29 Super Tucano soars over Kabul, Afghanistan, August 14, 2015
Unlike the AT-6B, the A-29 is already in service. This is an example from the Afghan Air Force, which has had approximately 28 Super Tucanos operating in a COIN/counter-terrorism role since 2016.

A-29 Super Tucano aircraft from Moody Air Force Base in Georgia transits through an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, January 11, 2016, on the way to its final destination, the Afghan Air Force