DIFFUSER-EQUIPPED HORIZONTAL TEST CELL AT PARDUBICE CZECHOSLOVAKIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05162A000300010039-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 9, 2011
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: August 1, 1973
• Content Type: REPORT

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NATIONAI, PHO'T'OGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION
REPORT
DIFFUSER-EQUIPPED
HORIZONTAL TEST CELL
AT PARDUBICE
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
S RE
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AUGUST 1973
COPY NO. 2 2
2 PAGES
PIR-027/73
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TOP SECRET RUFF
DIFFUSER-EQUIPPED HORIZONTAL TEST CELL
AT PARDUBICE, CZECHOSLOVAKIA
n r'/A
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1. A diffuser was observed) lat the 25X1
horizontal test cell at Pardubice Explosives and Solid Motor
Development Production Plant
diffuser,
. The presence of the
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suggests that Czechoslovakian solid
propellant technology is more advanced than previously suspected.
In addition, more details of the test facility are available. The
test cell was observed under construction in May 1967 F -1 25X1
and was completed by June 1969 A review of prior coverage, 25X1
mostly of poor interpretability, indicates that the newly identi-
fied diffuser was present in August 1971 25X1
2. The Pardubice test facility (Figures 1 and 2) contains a
horizontal test cell (item c) with a diffuser and a blast deflector.
The visible portion of the straight-pipe diffuser extends 25X1
from the test cell and is The distance from 25X1
the end of the diffuser to the base of the blast deflector 25X1
The C-shaped blast deflector is approximately 25X1
and consists of 15 side-by-side, interconnecting panels, each
The test cell is served by a narrow gauge L 25X1
rail line which leads from a probable checkout building 25X1
(item a) and extends the entire distance of the blast apron to
the base of the blast deflector. The line runs adjacent to the
test cell and also enters it from the northwest and southeast
sides. The rail line is probably used for transporting the rocket
motors from the probable checkout building to the test cell.
3. In addition to the test cell the test facility contains
a probable checkout building (item a), two test support buildings
(items b and f), and two utility buildings (items d and e). The
test cell, the probable checkout building, and one of the test
support buildings are connected by overhead pipelines. Most of
the buildings share a common service apron.
4. Two rocket motor test facilities have been identified in
Czechoslovakia: the Dubnica nad Vahom Armament, Machine and Guided
Missile Plant and the Pardubice plant. Czechoslo-
vakia has had the technology necessary for solid propellant
research and production and it is apparent that they now have the
capability of static testing solid propellant rocket motors. The
presence of the diffuser at Pardubice indicates that they also
possess the technology required to simulate high altitude con-
ditions. (Diffusers simulate altitude so that upper stage rocket
motors can be static tested under near-vacuum conditions.) These
developments suggest that Czechoslovakian solid propellant tech-
nology is more advanced than previously suspected.
Project 143382NJ
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TOP %FM
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