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Frontal Aviation Tactics

Doctrinally, the Soviets believed they must win the air superiority battle first and then devote their attention to providing air support. As a result, the TVD commander would initially keep a number of Frontal Aviation squadrons under his direct control to conduct an independent air operation for control of the air. As the operation concluded, these squadrons would return to their appropriate air army to be used for air support missions and to maintain local air superiority for the front.

In addition to the air operation, which marks the onset of theater-level hostilities, Soviet doctrine called for air support of ground forces in a given offensive operation. The Soviets recognized three stages of air support within an offensive operation: air preparation (aviatsionnaya podgotovka), air support (aviatsionnaya podderzhka), and air accompaniment (aviatsionnoye soprovozhdeniye). The major delineating criterion for these phases is their chronology, though there are some differences in targeting, command, and aircraft used.

Air Preparation (Aviatsionnaya Podgotovka) takes place prior to the onset of ground force action in a given sector of a front and is used in preparation for a variety of offensive operations, including the crossing of water obstacles, penetration operations, amphibious and airmobile assaults, and counterattacks. When it occurs simultaneously with the preparation fire of both artillery and missile units, it requires close, detailed coordination with respect to targeting and timing. Air operations in the preparation phase generally extend no farther than the enemy's immediate operational depth (i.e., enemy corps rear area). Depending on the combat situation, the duration of air preparation can be from 10 minutes to over an hour. The targets are those which conventional artillery and missiles cannot destroy due to the targets' distance, mobility, or their "hardened" quality. In special situations, such as amphibious assaults, Long-Range Aviation and/or Naval Aviation may participate in air preparation attacks. Air preparation is an integral part of the fire preparation (ognevaya podgotovka) phase.

Air Support (Aviatsionnaya Podderzhka) begins when the ground forces start an offensive. The distinction between air support and air accompaniment is primarily one of chronology and proximity of targets. Its targets are at the tactical and immediate operational depths, and include enemy nuclear weapons, command and control systems, and enemy reserve forces close to the front line. On-call air attack missions against centers of resistance are made at the request of ground force commanders within the limitations of their allocated resources. The air support phase closely follows the operational plan prepared prior to the onset of the offensive, and is an extension of the strong artillery support associated with Soviet offensive operations. As in the air preparation stage, the targets are generally those beyond the capabilities of artillery and missiles to destroy. Air support is an integral part of the fire support (ognevaya podderzhka) phase.

Air Accompaniment (Aviatsionnoye Soprgvgzhdeniye), the final stage of air support of ground forces, occurs as Soviet ground units penetrate deeply within enemy defenses. The specific point at which air accompaniment begins is not clear, but it is during the advanced stage of offensive operations when the progress of the ground forces has outstripped the prepared air support plan, and reassessment and reallocation of air resources is necessary. It is significant to note that, after allocating air resources prior to an offensive, the front commander plays little further direct role in the conduct of air support operations, unless large reallocations are required. However, in the air accompaniment phase, the role of the front commander is again emphasized, indicating the probability that significant reallocations of air resources supporting ground force armies will be made in adjusting to the developments in the combat situation.

Soviet air support doctrine made no mention of concepts such as air interdiction, battlefield air interdiction, or close air support. While air accompaniment certainly included the use of air assets against deep targets, the term was not synonymous with air interdiction. Nor can one conclude that Soviet direct air support was the same concept as US close air support. The distinction became significant when considering how the Soviets planned to use fixed and rotary wing aviation in the air support role. The Soviets believed that the use of fighter and fighteibomber airciaft to strike targets along the FEBA, while not prohibited by doctrine, was rarely justified. Recognizing the unique capabilities of the attack helicopter, the Soviets planned for rotary wing assets to provide air support to troops in close contact with the enemy while "saving" their fixed wing assets for deep targets.

Soviet ground-attack tactics strive to deliver the greatest amount of firepower to the target, while presenting the least opportunity to enemy anti-aircraft defenses. The first concern in a ground attack mission is neutralization of enemy anti-aircraft weapon systems and their attendant command and communications systems. If sufficient aircraft are available in the attacking force, the first flight engages and attempts to destroy antiaircraft defenses in the target area.

The Soviets emphasize the importance of deception and surprise in paralyzing hostile anti-aircraft defenses. Aircraft approach the target area at the lowest permissible altitude, given weather and terrain restrictions. Ideally, the approach altitude over enemy territory is 50 to 100 meters. Radio transmission is reduced to a minimum or prohibited entirely. Detected gaps in enemy radar coverage are exploited, and decoy flights in advance of attacking aircraft can be used to distract defending anti-aircraft systems. If more than one pass is necessary to destroy the target, attacking flights approach the target from different directions to minimize anti-aircraft effectiveness, or approach from the direction of bright sunlight to minimize visual detection and recognition. Electronic countermeasures (ECM), play a large role in neutralizing air defenses.

The Soviets prefer small formations of aircraft for ground attack missions. Small formations reduce the probability of detection and provide less profitable targets for air defense systems. Increased maneuverability and simplification of ground control are additional advantages of small attack formations. Though an exception to the rule, formations of squadron strength or larger can be used against important area targets such as troop assembly areas and airfields.

While the nature of the target or targets dictates the weapons payload of the attacking aircraft, generally each flight is armed with cannons or machine guns and carries a mixed load of bombs and air-to-surface missiles/rockets. If more than one pass is to be made over the target, the first attacks are bombing runs, with strafing and rocket attacks following.

According to the Soviet press, the distance between friendly ground troops and explosions of the ammunition released from the supporting aircraft during joint exercises varies between 200 and 700 meters. In real combat conditions, the distance may well be less than that noted during peacetime practicing. In order to avoid mutual interference and to prevent damage to friendly forces, the air strikes are carefully coordinated and closely integrated with the efforts of ground units.

In level bombing, aircraft climb from their approach altitude of 50 to 100 meters to deliver their bombs. Unless the bombs have delayed fuses, climbing is necessary to prevent collateral damage to the aircraft. In some circumstances, Soviet fighter-bombers use loft-bombing techniques to reduce the possibility of damage to the attacking aircraft.

As long as modern anti-aircraft defense relies on radio-electronic equipment, neutralizing its operation through interference is considered by the Soviets to be a major way to reduce aircraft losses. Soviet aircraft possess radio-electronic jamming equipment, which the Soviets believe will increase the aircrafts' capability for overcoming the enemy anti-aircraft defenses. The Soviets also expect their aircraft losses would be reduced as a result of the destruction of enemy anti-aircraft defense weapons by fire delivered by the ground troops. The ground force radio-technical facilities can also create interference in enemy systems of control.

Obviously, air cover for airborne and airmobile operations is a very demanding and important air accompaniment mission, which might take place concurrently with the preparation phase or support phase over the Forward Line of Own Troops (FLOT).

Fixed-wing aircraft and combat helicopters are used in the three stages of air support for offensive ground operations. The increasing numbers of combat helicopters deployed enable them to play a greater role in the support of ground forces within the immediate battle area, thereby freeing fixed-wing aircraft for missions against fixed targets, such as nuclear weapons depots and airfields.

The Soviets perceived combat helicopters as fulfilling four basic air support missions: preplanned air support missions, on-call missions, armed reconnaissance, and ambushes. The reduced logistical requirements of combat helicopters, compared to those of fixed-wing aircraft, very often enable deployment close to the main battle area. This enhances their ability to respond to on-call missions. Given the Soviet emphasis on rapid offensive operations and the consequent anticipation of the meeting engagement as the most frequent type of combat encounter, the Soviets see great potential in the combat helicopter's ability to respond rapidly to requests for air support. In a meeting engagement, combat helicopters can screen and support Soviet units as they maneuver into position.

In pursuit operations, helicopters harass withdrawing units through armed reconnaissance missions and in ambushes along retreat routes, impeding the enemy's attempts to establish defensive positions. Conversely, helicopters support rear guard units in disengagement and withdrawal operations by harassing advancing enemy units from ambush and by laying minefields. Combat helicopters can also be assigned to support the operations of advance or independent units outside the range of artillery support.

Coordination between helicopter crews and ground personnel is improved when helicopters are able to land near the ground force units to be supported. Fixed-wing aircrews often have less opportunity for coordination because airfields are farther to the rear. When a regiment is assigned helicopter support and the combat situation allows, pilots confer on the ground with the regiment commander and the forward air director to coordinate air strikes and confirm communication codes to be used during the mission.

Armed reconnaissance within the battle area is an integral part of Soviet air support, particularly in a fluid combat situation when the precise disposition of enemy forces is not known. Both fixed-wing and rotary wing aircraft, singly or in small formations, conduct armed reconnaissance to exploit targets of opportunity. In poor weather conditions, which restrict fixed-wing aircraft operation, an increase in combat helicopter armed reconnaissance can be expected. While on patrol, aircraft maintain radio contact with ground control to report reconnaissance information and to receive priority-targeting assignments, which may develop.