The year was 1978. Jaws, the movie, was still popular, and the military found an excuse to turn the name into an acronym. Tactical tests of the A-10 and Army attack and observation helicopters became the “Joint Attack Weapons System.”
JAWS spotted camouflage scheme, distinct from conventional patterns, aimed to redefine aerial concealment.
During the tests, Air Force Aggressors reported that the A-10’s light celestial aircraft camouflage scheme made the A-10 easily visible from the air.
The 57th Tactical Training Wing had 4 aircraft given an overall coat of tan, green, or gray, then sprayed and brushed with spots of three or four other earth tones.
The scheme’s developers had plans for repaint kits to accompany deploying units, changing the spots on aircraft as geographical conditions required.
Fuselage “Spotted” Pattern for A-10A 75-260
The JAWS spotted camouflage ultimately proved that not all innovative ideas succeed in the harsh realities of aerial combat. By September 1978, Nellis was developing what became the European I scheme. JAWS’ striking visual appeal couldn’t compensate for its tactical shortcomings, leading to its rapid replacement by the more effective European I scheme, and the spotted camouflage became a minor but remembered camouflage oddity.
