SS-X-16 MISSILE CANISTERS PLESETSK MISSILE/SPACE TEST CENTER SSM, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05162A000400010102-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 14, 2011
• Sequence Number: 102
• Publication Date: September 1, 1975
• Content Type: REPORT

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jR-SesrEL
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
PHOTOGRAPHIC
I NTERPRETATION
REPORT
SS-X-16 MISSILE CANISTERS
PLESETSK MISSILE/SPACE TEST
CENTER SSM, USSR
SEPTEMBER 1975
Copy 2
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Warning Notice
Sensitive Intelligence Sources and Methods Involved
NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions
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Top Secret RUFF
SS-X-16 Missile Canisters, Plesetsk Missile/Space Test Center SSM
DMA. USATC, Series 200, Sheets 0102-9 and -10, scale 1:200,000
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1. Two different types of canisters associated with the SS-X-16 solid-propellant ICBM system
have been identified at the Plesetsk Missile/Space Test Center (PM/STC) SSM, USSR. The canisters
will be designated Type 1 and Type 2 in this report. Type 1 is a cylinder of constant diameter.
Type 2 is a cylinder with an extension of lesser diameter protruding from one end. These canisters
were seen in open storage areas at the test center. Additionally, one canister was seen with an extension
protruding from one end and a domed cap over the other end. This canister was considerably longer
than the others and was the only one observed on the edge of a launch pad.
2. This report provides refined measurements of the SS-X-16 canisters. These measurements
resulted from a recent mensuration study which used 13 different coverages on four KH-8 missions.
A brief history of the SS-X-16 canisters at the PM/STC and a map showing their locations are included
in the report. Also included are annotated photographs and line drawings of the Type 1 and 2 SS-X-16
canisters and a table containing dates of SS-X-16 launches and sightings of SS-X-16 canisters at the
PM/STC.
3. The SS-X-16 solid-propellant ICBM system has been undergoing research and development
at the PM/STC since March 1972. This missile system may be deployed in a silo or a mobile mode.
? The SS-X-1.6 canisters may be shipping containers or launch tubes.
4. The first identification of SS-X-16 canisters at the PM/STC was made
wo canisters were in the SS-X-16 receiving and checkout area of the
Missile Handling Facility and one canister was at ICBM Launch Test Site 5 C
These canisters were not present in January 1972. A total of 28 confirmed,
one probable, and
one possible SS-X-16 canister have
the 30 reported SS-X-16 launches from the PM/STC
center
. All the SS-X-16
except for a few probable pieces were removed from their open storage areas at the test
The canisters may have been placed in buildings or removed from the
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Type 1 SS-X-16 Canister
6. The first SS-X-1.6 canisters were observed at the PM/STC
and were cylindrical tubes 59.4 feet long and 6.8 feet in diameter (Figure 2). This type was observed
at both the Missile Handling Facility SS-X-16 receiving and checkout area and at ICBM Launch Test
Site 5.
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been identified to date. These correlate to
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Top Secret RUFF
Type 2 SS-X-16 Canister
7. In May 1973 a second type of SS-X-16 canister was identified alongside the Type 1 canisters
at the Missile Handling Facility (Figure 3 It consisted
of a cylindrical portion t7- ension which protruded
from one end. Type 2 canisters were
8. In addition to the Type 1 and Type 2 SS-X-16 canisters, a caniste
was seen on the edge of the west launch pad at ICBM Launch est Site
5 An extension protruded from one end and a domed cap was over the other
end. Canvas draped over the canister precluded precise' measurements of its diameter, the cylinder
extension, and the domed cap. In addition to being the longest SS-X-16-associated canister observed
at the test center, this was the only one seen on the edge of a launch pad.
Table 1. Correlation of SS-X- 16 Launches and
Sightings of SS-X- 16 Canisters at PM/STC
1st launch
2d launch
1st thru 3d canisters
3d launch
4th canister
4th launch
5th thru 8th canisters
5th launch
9th canister
6th launch
7th launch
10th canister
8th launch
11th canister
9th launch
Poss 12th canister
10th launch
11th launch
12th launch, 13th canister, and
prob 14th canister
15th thru 17th canisters
13th launch
14th launch
18th and 19th canisters
20th canister
15th launch
21st canister
16th launch
17th launch
22d canister
23d canister
18th launch
19th launch
20th launch
21st launch
22d launch and 24th canister
23d and 24th launches
25th launch
26th launch
27th launch
25th canister
26th canister
27th canister
28th launch
29th launch
28th and 29th canisters
30th launch
30th canister
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MAPS OR CHARTS
DMA. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheets, 0102-9 and -10, scale 1:200,000
DOCUMENT
1. NPIC. TCS-10033/75, SS-X-16 Canister Study, 28 Jul 75 (TOP SECRET RUFF)
RELATED DOCUMENT
NPICJ RCA-15/0007/75, Plesetsk Missile Handlin Facility, Jan 75 (TOP SECRET RUFF
F
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