SHUANGCHENGTZU MISSILE TEST CENTER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T04563A000300010015-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 1, 2001
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: February 1, 1969
• Content Type: MF

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TCS-10007-70
5 November 1970
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Recipients of TCS-24119/68 and TCS-22325/70
SUBJECT
Addition of Release Caveat
A-15/0005/71, Oct. 70 (TCS-22325/70),
"Shang-Cheng-Tzu Missile Test Center".
TALENT Control Officer
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SHUANGCHENGTZU MISSILE TEST CENTER
MISSILE RANGES--STRATEGIC SSM & SPACE FACILITIES
CHINA
FEBRUARY 1969
25X1A
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TITLE NPIC
TCS-24119/68
SEC. CLASS. LOCATION
Feb. 1969 TS/NOFORN/T/K/C
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Shuang-cheng-tzu Missile Test Center CH
41-08-OON 100-15-OOE
25X1 D SAC. USATC 200, Sheet 0287-16HL, 2d ed, Apr 68, scale 1:200,000 (SECRET)
ABSTRACT
This report presents short descriptions of the launch facilities and
other major components of the Shuang-cheng-tzu Missile Test Center.
A map shows the layout of the Test Center, and a table provides
chronological information, coordinates, and other pertinent data on
the major facilities. Information in this report is current as of-
INTRODUCTION
The Shuangchengtzu Missile Test Center (SCTMTC), the only
known ballistic missile flight test facility in China, is situated in the
Gobi Desert in north-central China, approximately 750 nautical miles
(nm) west of Peking and 125 nm northeast of the city of Chiuchuan.
The SCTMTC contains facilities for flight testing surface-to-surface
missiles (SSMs), surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), cruise missiles, air-to-
surface missiles (ASMs), and air-to-air missiles (AAMs). The similarity
between several SCTMTC facilities and those at the Kapustin Yar/
Vladimirovka Missile Test Center indicates Soviet assistance and in-
fluence in the construction. of the Chinese Center.
The SCTMTC probably was begun in 1957 or 1958. When it was
first seen on satellite photography in most of the major
facilities appeared to be complete. Photographic and other available
evidence indicates that sin.ce=the Chinese have been using SSM
Launch Complex A to test-fire an MRBM similar to the Soviet SS-3.
Since a large new launch facility, Complex B, has
been under construction. The large size of Complex B indicates that
it could be capable of flight testing ICBM and/or space-related ve-
hicles. If construction continues at the current rate, this complex may
be operation in the summer of 1969.
The SCTMTC occupies an area approximately 125 nm long and
10 nm wide along the Ochina River basin and an extensive inland
desert plain. The area is at an elevation of about 4,000 feet and is
characterized by sand dunes, salt flats, and hardpan, with hilly terrain
west and southwest of the Center's Main Support Base. Vegetation
is sparse; the only cultivated land is a narrow area adjoining the in-
termittent Ochina River, which flows north from the slopes of the
Nanshan mountains, an extensive range with peaks over 20,000 feet.
The water table is high through the SCTMTC, and water is readily
available from wells. The climate is characterized by hot, dry summers
and cold, dry winters. During the summers, high temperatures fluc-
tuate between 90 and 110 degrees F, and low temperatures are about
60 degrees F. During the winters, high temperatures vary between
20 and 35 degrees F, and low temperatures vary between -10 and
+10 degrees F. While it seldom rains or snows, the area is subject
to high winds and severe dust and sand storms during spring and
summer.
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The Center is served primarily by rail and air. No all-weather
or hard-surfaced roads connect it with any city. The single-track rail-
road serving the SCTMTC extends south through the desert for ap-
proximately 120 urn to join the main Lanchou-Urumchi railroad at
a point 33 urn southeast of Chiuchnan. Excellent roads and railroads
connect most of the major facilities within the, Test Center.
Al large thermal powerplaia at the Main Support Base supplies
power to the SCTMTC through a system of several power substations.
BASIC DESCRIPTION
The major facilities at the SCTMTC are four SSM launch com-
plexes, 18 SSM instrumentation sites, an SSNI Housing and Support
Area, a SAM Launch Complex, a Main Support Base, operational
support facilities, communications facilities, .1 large airfield, and five,
possibly seven, suspect advanced-weapons related facilities.
SSM Launch Complex A
Launch Complex A,' the southernmost of the SSM launch com-
plexes, is approximately 17 urn north of the iiilain Support Base. When
first observed in M this complex consisted of two completed large
launch pads, designated A-1 and 1\2, and a final checkout area. Since
0 several MI1BM firings have taken place at Pad A-1, while Pad
as been used only as a parking area for ground support vehicles
and equipment. Complex A remained essentially unchanged until the
third, smaller launch pad, A-3, was constructed between
SSM Launch Complex B
Launch Complex B,", the largest launch complex at the SCTMTC,
is approximately 1.5 urn north of Complex AV at the site of an unconi.-
pleted facility observed in which had_ been intended to be a
duplication of Complex A. The area remained inactive from 25X1 D
when the railroad was extended into it an con-
until
struction began on a large, rail-served IC U M or space-related pad,
M
designated. Pad 13-1. The pad appeared to be complete and operational
in but there is no photographic evidence that it has
ever been use .. me extensive modification of Pad B-1
has been in progress, including tie construction of an underground
equipment room and a 120-foot-high service tower adjoining the
launch point. Pad 13-2, a larger pad than B-1_, was started in 25X1 D
and construction is continuing. This 125- by 75-foot pad wit a ame
pit 100 feet long and 60 feet wide may be operational in the summer
of 1969 if the present rapid rate of construction continues.
SSM Launch Complex C
Launch Complex C,' situated about 3 um north of Complex B,
appeared complete when first observed in= The presence of lour 25X1 D
anchor points in a diamond-shaped pattern on the pad (Pad C-1) in
and the presence of a 60- by 30-foot drive-through building in
the final checkout area, features also seen at the Lienshan Cruise
Missile Complex, suggest that Complex C was used for testing cruise
A new launch pad, C-2, with a 65-loot-high probable service
missiles
.
tower was constructed just north of the original pad between 25X1 D
This is the same period during which Pa
B-1 at Launch pomp ex was constructed. The Purpose of Pad C-2
may be the launching of high-altitude sounding rockets.
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100?00'
Primary road
Dirt road
Railroad
Powerline
- - - - Cable scar
A Power substation
Communications site
< Instrumentation site
SAWRF
Possible SAWRF
5 0 5 10
cT-~-T
NAUTICAL MILES
3
15
COMPLEX D
12
COMPLEX C --0?
COMPLEX B, 191
11-- COMPLEX A 16
6
;AM ASSEMBLY AND CHECKOUT COMP E
SSM HOUSING AND
SUPPORT AREAS
SAM HOUSING AND
SUPPORT AREA
REVETTED STORAGE AREAS
BARRACKS AREA-
SAM I
SUSPECT AIR-LIQUEFACTION PLANT LAUNCH
COMPLEX
HANDLING ANU
STORAGE AREA
"POWERPLANT
17
AIRFIELD
HOUSING AREA
AAMSUPPORT
FACILITY
ASM-'- /' SHUANGCHENGTZU AIRFIELD
SUPPORT FACILITY I
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TERMINUS
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SSM Launch Complex D
Launch Complex D,' was constructed approximately 4 nm north-
25X1 D
northwest of Complex C between
probably built specifically for the
it was
25X9
at which time a missile with a
probably
from Complex D, to Lop Nor, China. The complex apparently has not
been used since then, and appears to be deteriorating. A blast mark
on the pad on photography indicates that at least
one missile was Ae on t is pad prior to the 25X9
A similarity between blast marks and the use of the same ground 25X9
equipment at Complexes A and D suggest that the missile launched
at Complex D on was the same type that has been
under test at Complex A.
SSM Instrumentation
SSM instrumentation" consists of 18 sites" arranged in a modified
vee pattern with legs approximately 28 and 55 nm long, respectively.
Most of these instrumentation sites were present and operational in
The major changes since then have been the addition of 17
an 19, which were constructed during and are situ-
ated approximately 50 and 25 nm, respectively, south-southwest of
Complex B.
SSM Housing and Support Area
The SSM Housing and Support Area,' situated approximately
1.5 nm east-southeast of Complex A, contains about 50 buildings, in-
cluding barracks, equipment maintenance and storage buildings, and
a meteorological station. The major change in this area since 25X1 D
has been the construction, between 25X1 D
of a large S-shaped, multistory, probable administration building.
SAM Launch Complex
The SAM Launch Complex,' which is approximately 15 nm north-
east of the Main Support Base, includes two operational fan-shaped
SA-2 SAM sites, a third launch site under construction, and a housing
and support area. SAM instrumentation consists of seven tracking sites
arranged in a modified vee pattern with an overall length of 23 nm
and an opening downrange, toward the east.
Continuing test activit has been evident at this complex since
it was first observed inSignificant than es have been the addi-
tion of two downrange tracking sites ini&the construction of ap- 25X1 D
proximately 40 buildings since = which more than doubled the 25X1 D
size of the housing and support area, and the construction, begun in
of the third launch site. The construction of this site
has progressed slowly. It appears to be nearly complete, but no missile-
related equipment has been observed.
Main Support Base
The Main Support Base," situated near the center of the SCTMTC,
contains over 700 buildings, including administration buildings,
schools, barracks, motor pools, storage buildings, railroad repair fa-
cilities, and a large thermal powerplant and a 7,000-foot-long graded-
earth runway. Over 400 buildings, including the major elements of
the Base, were present in = and new buildings have been added
every year since.
* Designated Sites 1-8 and 10-19.
5-
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Operational Support Facilities
The operational support facilities' include an SSM and SAM
Assembly and Checkout Complex, a Propellant Handling and Storage
Area, and two Revetted Storage Areas (one designated a Storage and
Handling Area). These facilities are positioned along the road and
railroad from 3 to 7 nm north of the Main Support Base. There has
been little significant change in the four facilities since they were first
seen i.n_ A suspect Air-Liquefaction Plant constructed between
is 1 nm west-northwest of the Propellant Handling
and Storage Area.
A large multistory administration building, four multistory bar-
racks buildings, and several associated buildings were constructed
during in an area 1 nm northeast of the SSM and SAM
Assembly and Checkout Complex. Track activity from these buildings
extends to several areas within a 5-um radius in which a total of 50
or more tunnels have been dug into the sides of ridges. The nature
of this tunneling activity is undetermined. Similar tunneling is apparent
in. several other hill areas near the Main Support Base.
Communications Facilities
The communications facilities' at the SCTMTC consist of two
transmitting sites and two receiving sites which support rangehead
and airfield operations. The rangehead transmitting site is 11 nm
north-northeast of the Main Support Base, and the receiving site is
4 urn southwest of the Main Support Base. The transmitting and re-
ceiving sites for airfield communications are near the airfield, approxi-
mately 40 nm south-southwest of the Main Support Base. All four of
these sites are major facilities with rhombics, dipoles, and vee antennas
conforming to Soviet designs. No change has been apparent in the
sites since
Shuangchengtzu Airfield
The Shuargchengtzu Airfield,' situated 40 nm south-southwest
of the Main Support Base, has a 13,575- by 270-foot concrete runway,
one of the longest in China. Support facilities for the airfield include
administration and housing areas, POL storage, the two communica-
tions sites, radar sites, and an instrument landing system. A large
hangar and buildings associated with. the handling of ASMs are near
the southwest end of the runway. A probable AAM support facility
containing two large hangars and associated buildings is near the
northeast end of the runway.
An "L" instrumentation pattern, consisting of three radar sites
arranged in the form of an isosceles right triangle, is northeast of
the airfield. The apex site is approximately ;3() rim from the airfield;
he two legs of the triangle, each 12.5 nm long, extend east and north
There has been little change in the airfield area since During 25X1 D
a hangar was added in the probable A111 support aci ity, and
a few buildings were constructed in the ASM support facility.
Suspect Advanced-Weapons Related Facilities
Five, possibly seven, unidentified facilities designated suspect ad-
vanced-weapons related facilities (SANVRFs), are under construction
in isolated areas from 45 to 95 nm north-northeast of the Main Sup-
port Base. These facilities, which arc separated from each other by
distances of from 12 to 22 mu, each consist of patterns of narrow
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corridors occupying an overall area approximately 850 by 400 feet.
The corridors are and when completed are covered
with earth to form sing e large mounds approximately 1,300 feet long,
450 feet wide, and 80 feet high. Structures are being built at the
bases of the mounds, at the ends of each corridor. The construction
of the SAWRFs began early in when two were observed in 25X1 D
an early stage of construction. During construction was initiated 25X1 D
on the three, possibly five, additions RFs.
The function of the SAWRFs has not yet been determined.
SAC. US Air Target Chart 200, Sheet 0287-16HL, 2d ed, Apr 68, scale 1:200,000 (SECRET)
SAC. US Air Target Chart 200, Sheet 0287-211IL, 2d ed, Mar 66, scale 1:200,000 (SECRET)
SAC. US Air Target Chart 200, Sheets 0287-11I1L and 0287-1.2HL, 1st ed, May 62, scale 1:200,000
(SECRET)
1. NPIC. TCS-80083/67, SSM Launch Facilities, Shuang-cheng-tzu Missile Test Center, China, Feb 67
(TOP SECRET RUFF)
2. NPIC. TCS-22009/69, SSM Launch Complex B, Shuangchengtzu Missile Test Center, Jan 69
(TOP SECRET RUFF)
3. NPIC. TCS-80376/67, SSM Instrumentation Sites, Shuang-cheng-tzu Missile Test Center, China,
Jul 67 (TOP SECRET RUFF)
4. NPIC. TCS-80345/67, SSM Ilousing and Support Area and Operational Support Facilities, Shuang-
cheng-tzu Missile Test Center, China, Jun 67 (TOP SECRET RUFF)
5. NPIC. TCS-80550/67, SAM Launch Complex, Shuang-cheng-tzu Missile Test Center, China, Oct 67
(TOP SECRET RUFF)
6. NPIC. TCS-80065/67, Main Support Base, Shuang-cheng-tzu Missile Test Center, China, Feb 67
(TOP SECRET RUFF)
7. NPIC. R-1665/64; Communications Facilities, Shuang-cheng-tzu Missile Test Center, China, Dec 64
(SECRET/No Foreign Dissem)
8. NPIC. TCS-80318/67, Airfield and Associated Facilities, Shuang-cheng-tzu Missile Test Center,
China, Jun 67 (TOP SECRET RUFF)
9. NPIC. TCS-20092/68, Suspect Advanced Weapons Related Facilities, China, Feb 68 (TOP SECRET
RUFF)
REQUIREMENTS
COMIREX BR-P/003-69
NPIC Project 210269
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