15 photos of the legendary A-10 Warthog, which Congress wants to keep flying for years to come

US Air Force

An U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies over Southwest Asia in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Oct. 29, 2015.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, commonly referred to as the Warthog or grunt, is beloved by US troops. 

The grunt is the US Air Force's primary low-altitude close air support aircraft and maneuvers very well at low air speeds and altitudes.

But it's perhaps best known for its 30mm gatling gun mounted on the nose cone, which fires 3,900 round per minute and makes a loud "buuuuurp" when fired.

Speculation about the Warthog's fate has abounded for years until Congress allocated over $100 million for upgrades last summer, meaning it will remain in service for years to come.

Here's what itthe legendary fighter can do: