Tactics have also been developed specifically to defeat the ZSU-23, 2S6, SA-8 and SA-15. All tactics are based on the ability of the A-10 to avoid the lethal envelope of each weapon.
ZSU-23/2S6
To counter the ZSU-23 (and by extension the 2S6), the A-10 exploits the systems’ reaction times and the “dead time” while the shells are in flight. Approaching at low level, it pops up to 170 meters (500 feet) at a range of 2 km, acquiring the target and lining up in roughly 1.5 seconds. It then fires a 1.5 second burst and breaks down and away to 30 meters (100 feet). The ZSU-23 has a reaction time of the roughly 4 seconds, starting from the time the A-10 unmasks during the pop-up. By the time the ZSU-23 opens fire, the A-10 has already completed its run and is beginning its break. By the time the ZSU’s shells reach the predicted intercept point, the A-10 has already re-masked. Of course, it takes a lot of training to acquire, track, and shoot a very small target in 3 seconds or less. Against the more powerful 2S6, the pop-up range would have to be extended by as much as 1,000 meters.
SAMs
Tactics against the SA-8 and SA-15 also exploit system reaction time, as well as the considerably slower flyout time for guided missiles. Again, the A-10 approaches mased, pops up (height is dependent on whether the GAU-8 or Mavericks are being used), then dives back to the deck to re-mask. Again, the challenge is acquire, track and engage the target in the brief time window available.
Another tactics used to defeat intense air defenses, originally called the Joint Attack Weapons System (JAWS), or the Joint Air Attack Team (JAATS) concept, involves coordination between A-10s and the Army’s AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. Flying “Nap of the Earth” (NOE) (which is actually below the tree line), AH-64s are generally immune to air defenses at all but the shortest ranges. This allows them to stalk enemy armored formations, achieving ambush positions on the flanks of their advance. JAWS would exploit this capability by using the Apaches specifically as precursors to an A-10 attack. Their primary mission would be to identify and destroy all forward area air defense systems supporting the targeted enemy unit, using laser-homing AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles. Once the ZSU-23s and SA-8s were destroyed or suppressed, the A-10s would be free to make repeated attacks on the enemy armor, using Mavericks, Rockeyes, and of course, the GAU-8. After the A-10s are finished, the Apaches would move in to mop up the survivors. Attacks usually alternated between Warthogs and Helos, thus providing enemy defenses the impossible task of switching tactics every minute or so while trying to survive the attack, with each aircraft covered the repositioning of the other. In Red Flag exercises, JAATS has been absolutely devastating, but it still has never been used in combat, not even in Desert Storm (for lack of opportunity). The critical key to success here is absolutely perfect coordination between the Warthogs and the Apaches, which may have been difficult to achieve in the confused air over the NATO Central Front.
