Designed especially for close air support, the Warthog entered service in 1975. Literally built around the 30mm GAU-8 Gattling gun, the A-10 can also carry immense weapons loads under its wings and fuselage, including AGM 65 Maverick missiles. A highly survivable aircraft, the A-10 has redundant hydraulic systems backed up by manual systems; it can survive direct hits by armor piercing rounds. It flew 8,100 sorties during Desert Storm and has recently seen action in Afghanistan and was a key battlefield weapons system during Operation Iraqi Freedom.