SEARCH FOR HELICOPTER PADS AT MRBM AND IRBM LAUNCH AREAS USSR

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP78T04759A003500010044-1
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
T
Document Page Count: 
10
Document Creation Date: 
December 28, 2016
Document Release Date: 
August 5, 2003
Sequence Number: 
44
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
February 1, 1966
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP78T04759A003500010044-1.pdf1.38 MB
Body: 
arm%thImasw Apprc 1 j f Fb #e 2003/11/21: CIA- T047 0100 SC ff', PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETA SEARCH FOR HELICOPTER PADS AT MRBM AND IRBM LAUNCH AREAS USSR 25X1 Declass Review by NIMA / DoD 5X1 GROUP 1 EXCLUDED FROM AUTOMATIC DOWNGRADING AND DECLASSIFICATION Approved For ReI, A2Qrq,3fr//j.: CIA-RDP78T04759A0035f010044-1 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/11/21 : CIA-RDP78TO4759AO03500010044-1 Approved For Release 2003/11/21 : CIA-RDP78TO4759AO03500010044-1 25X1 Approved ~ or Release 2003/1114 :S9R JP SEARCH FOR HELICOPTER PADS AT MRBM AND IRBM LAUNCH AREAS, USSR This re ort is issued in response to NSA requirement which requested an examination of pertinent photography to determine what MRBM/IRBM launch areas are equipped with helicopter pads, whether helicopters have been noted at these pads, and construction timing of the pads. This report supersedes NPIC report R-20/63 of March 1963,11 which reported the presence of helicopter pads at 5 launch areas. A complete reexamination of all 188 launch areas and the 1 launch facilit on available photography from Missions F_ revealed no identifiable helicopter landing pads at any MRBM or IRBM launch area or facility. The earlier identification of helicopter pads at 5 launch areas was based on and previous missions; subsequent photography of improved quality and scale revealed the reported pads to have been early construction for settling basins for the launch area sewage systems. These basins have been identified on recent photography at a large number of the launch areas. Although no helicopter landing pads have been identified at any launch areas, areas suitable for helicopter landings exist at or near many launch areas, if it is assumed that helicopters need only cleared areas with little or no prep- aration. In common with most other military forces, the Soviet forces provide facilities for athletic training/ recreation at practically every military installation. At MRBM and IRBM sites, such facilities normally consist of a soccer field with a surrounding track; obstacle courses are also pres- ent at a number of installations. While soccer fields vary in size, few are less than 90 by 40 meters (approximately 295 by 131 feet), which is more than ample for helicopter landings. The proximity of airfields to launch areas has also been reviewed during the study for this report. Fifty-six of the launch complexes and the launch facility have airfields of various types within 20 nautical miles (nm); 46 of these have airfields within 10 nm. A number of the airfields appear to be used primarily for support of the launch complexes, for example, those near the following launch areas: Dyatlovo Launch Area No 1 (TDI name: Dyatlovo Launch Site), Jonava Launch Area No 1 (TDI name: Karmelava Launch Site), Novosysoyevka Launch Area No 1 (TDI name: Novosysoyevka Launch Site 1), Sary Ozek Launch Area No 1 (TDI name: Kara Babau Launch Site 1), Kurgancha Launch Area No 1 (TDI name: Kurgancha Launch Site 2), Smorgon Launch Area No 1(TDI name: Smorgon Launch Site 1), and Zagare Launch Area No 2 (TDI name: Zagare Launch Site 2). The airfields are maintained, but generally do not appear to have assigned tactical units, nor do they have normal support and servicing facilities. Similar airfields exist in the vicinity of a number of other complexes. During the review of photography, facilities having undetermined functions and suitable for helicopter operations were observed at 8 launch areas. These facilities are shown in Figures 1 through 8, and a brief description accompanies each. 25X1 D 25X1 Approved For Release 20031''(j11 Spnl~q'T78T04759AO03500010044-1 Apo roved For ReIe2UR1l 25X1 25X1 A r ctan ulor cleared area measuring 210 by 165 feet and containing an outlined rectangle app, roximatel as constructed immediately north of the existing soccer field and track between ly as early as small building is located at-the middle of the sourh a ge at the area; adjacent to the building is a small pole, which could conceivably be a small stick most or a support for a wind sack. There is no evidence to indicate the cleared area is for helicopter usage, although it is large enough, as is the adjoining Approved For Releas 000.31-t1tlr1 MI 25X1 Approved For F elease SEQ~W 25X1 25X1 An area on the north edge of the site support facility was cleared and leveled between and surfacing of an indeterminate type was begun by the surfacing was approx- imately 75% complete, although little progress has been apparen rough The completed size of the surfaced area would be approximately 295 by 200 feet. As the launch area has no athletic/soccer field, the rec- tangular area may function as such. It is of sufficient size to provide a helicopter landing facility. 25X1 I 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/ RIP Aft 25X1 Ap' proved For Relea f 05 ?R/ T 010044-1 25X1 25X1 25X1 Prior to a rectangular cleared area approximately 195 by 130 feet vas graded and ou mediate north o an exis ing athletic field. Evidence of snow being cleared from the a,e:a was apparent in uggesting its use as a skating rink or other trawling/athletic field. It is large enoug" [of e i p usage, cer field to the south and the small probable runway to the north. 25X1 25X1 D 25X1 D 25X1 D An area at the northeast corner of the support facility was cleared aft nd apparently hard sur- faced prior to The surfaced area measures a roxrmatel ter-, his area appears to be a soccer field; this is indicated by the addition by late of a pro a e track around the area. The area is large enough for helicopter landings. IB 25X1 Approved For Rele WOM '1 21 S ET Approved For Release 2003/IT ; 1W P 25X1 25X1 Clearing was begun northeast of the site support facility ofter The cleared area is approximately 235 by 125 feet. Its function is not apparent on p otograp y wever, the area is probably not an athletic field since one already exists near the facility. The area posse y may a used for vehicle shed/garage construction. 25X1 D FIGURE 6. VSELYUB LAUNCH AREA NO 1 (TDI NAME: VSELYUB MRBM LAUNCH SITE 1~. A cleared area of unknown function has been visible since along the south side of the launch area service road between the launch site and the site support facility. The area is approximately 330 by 150 feet, which is ample for an athletic/soccer field, as well as for helicopter operations. Approved For Release 2003 1` ?IS.R -tP 25X1 D 25X1 Appro~ ed For Rele J2?OR,l 25X1 25X1 D FIGURE 7. KONKOVICHI LAUNCH AREA NO I I TD! NAME: PETRIKOV MRE,A LAUNCH SITE). Lh opter operations. 25X1 D 25X1 D FIGURE 8. BREST LAUNCH AREA NO 2 ( TD) NAME: BREST MRBM LAL1:44CH SITE 1~. A rectangular cleared area approximate) feet is located immediately ncth of the site support facility. Clearing and leveling of the area began a er a irs week of appeared and a re apparently complete prior to Surfacing was started before when it abou 20% complete. The area is of amp a size tor an athletic/soccer field, as well as for helicopter operations. Approved For Release 2003/11/21 ~ T JP SECRET 25X1 D 25X1 25X1 Approved Forl Release 2003/TIM $EMI DOCUMENT 1. NPIC. R-20/63, Helicopter Pads at Soviet MRBM Sites, Mar 63 (TOP SECRET REQUIREMENT NSA. P0432/R111-65 NPIC PROJECT 11229/66 II 25X1 D 25X1 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/10W : Jqe ff 78TO4759AO03500010044-1 Approved For Release 200311)P21SE P78T04759A003500010044-1 Approved For Release 200311 j2 :~fl ,P78TO4759AO03500010044-1