Interesting that a turboprop derivative of the Bird Dog replaced what replaced the piston engined Bird Dog.
That is not entirely correct. The AM3C never entered service with the ALE (nor with the AM) as the procurement contest for the replacement was won by SM with the re-engined O1 (based on the not-so-wild idea that engine commonality with the helicopter fleet would bring maintenance & fuel procurement savings).
After the order was placed, SM significantly updated and reengineered the O1, ending up with the current SM1019 (and a higher price tag).
