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The GAU is a big gun, and it is not cheap to shoot, but it is cheaper by far than guided missiles. For that reason alone, some version of GAU totin' airplane will exist - be it the A-10 or an A-10 rehash.
There are a LOT of A-29s being completed and shipped overseas. Member states see the value of a single turbo prop aircraft in both acquisition cost and operational cost. These make very good CAS aircraft, like the good ol' Sandy, but it is not the bullet-flinging gun platform that the A-10 is.
Drones will continue to be an increasing presence on the battlefield, but they are limited in their useful loading. I don't see them going out to defend against columns of armor.
The Beechcraft (Pilatus) AT-6? ROFL. It can't take the abuse of a CAS role. It just barely manages to be a trainer.
The Textron Scorpion.... One prototype built three years ago, and zero traction since then.
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