The A-10 Thunderbolt fighter plane, which reportedly sends Islamic State (ISIS) fighters scattering, is facing the chopping block as the Pentagon is faced with making cuts.
While the plane, also known as the "Warthog," may not be as fast as some of the newer fighter jets, it is able to fly closer to the ground than many of its counterparts and can almost hover over a battlefield and is considered low maintenance,
Fox News is reporting.
The Iraqi News reported that during an attack on the Islamic State last week "the aircraft sparked panic in the ranks of ISIS after bombing its elements and flying in spaces close to the ground."
It explained that the Islamic State tried to counter "the aircraft with four Strela missiles, but that did not cause it any damage, prompting the remaining elements of the organization to leave the bodies of their dead and carry the wounded to escape."
Business Insider reported that the A-10 is responsible for 11 percent of the airstrikes against the terrorist group, but it has only been involved in the fight against the Islamic State since November.
The plane, which the Air Force has considered scrapping since 2011, was first developed for countering Soviet tanks.
However, the Defense Department thinks that phasing it out may help reduce maintenance costs and that the F-16, F-15E, and the upcoming F-35 can pick up the slack if not do a better job at supporting soldiers when fighting on the ground.
But those who support keeping the aircraft, point to the effect it has had against the Islamic State as a reason why it should stay.
Those who have supported keeping the "Warthog" include Arizona Sen. John McCain, who is the new Senate Armed Services Committee chairman.
"The A-10 is the most capable air-to-ground weapons system that is in the entire inventory," McCain said in December, when visiting the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, Business Insider reported.
"I think they will be with us for an extended period of time," he added.
The A-10 also has the support of New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, whose husband flew A-10s as a pilot during the Iraq war.
"I'm in for this fight," Ayotte said.
"The A-10 is once again displaying its incredible utility and value against the Islamic State," a Senate Armed Services Committee aide told FoxNews.com.
"The Air Force’s employment of the A-10 in ongoing operations not only underscores the operational effectiveness of this remarkable weapons system, but also of the necessity to maintain sufficient fighter force capacity at appropriate readiness levels to respond around the world on short notice," the aide added.
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