POSSIBLE 402M SSB/NE-2 MISSILE FIRING ASSOCIATION, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05162A000400010116-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 14, 2011
• Sequence Number: 116
• Publication Date: February 1, 1976
• Content Type: REPORT

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NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
PHOTOGRAPHIC
I NTERPRETATION
REPORT
POSSIBLE 402M SSB/NE-2 MISSILE
FIRING ASSOCIATION, USSR
FEBRUARY 1976
Copy 21
PI R-003/76
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Warning Notice
Sensitive Intelligence Sources and Methods Involved
(WNI NTEL)
NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions
NOFORN- Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals
NOCONTRACT- Not Releasable to Contractors or
Contractor/Consultants
PROPIN- Caution-Proprietary Information Involved
USIBONLY- USIB Departments Only
ORCON- Dissemination and Extraction of Information
Controlled by Originator
REL. . .- This Information has been Authorized for
Release to .. .
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Top Secret RUFF
POSSIBLE 402M SSB/NE-2
MISSILE FIRING ASSOCIATION, USSR
SUMMARY
Analysis of photography of the Severodvinsk Shipyard Complex, USSR, from
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reveals certain factors concerning the possible association of the
this report.
2. The factors leading to this conclusion are discussed in this report and include the
movements of the 402M submarine, of missile tube ballast cans, and of a missile support
ship
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recent NE-2 multiple independently targeted reentry vehicle (MIRV) missile firings from
the White Sea area with the 402M SSB. These factors suggest the possibility that the 402M
fleet ballistic missile submarine (SSB), not Nenoksa Naval Missile Test Center, is the
launch platform for the NE-2, which is believed to be slightly longer than the 42-foot SS-N-
8 missile. Since the 402M is believed to have missile tubes capable of accommodating SS-
N-8 or near SS-N-8-sized missiles, the implication that all Soviet submarines so
equipped-17 D class (four under construction), five 402P class, and eight possible variants
under construction-may be capable of launching the NE-2 warrants the dissemination of
3. It should be understood, however, that the conclusions reached in this report are
primarily based on photographic intelligence of a circumstantial nature. No attempt has
been made to rule out other interpretations and/or opinions.
DISCUSSION
402M Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSB)
4. Between June 1969 and October 1971 a G-I SSB was converted into the 402M SSB
at Severodvinsk Shipyard Yagry Island. Th
f the G-I SSB, which contained
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three SS-N-4 missiles, was replaced by a sail, which is believed to be capable of
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housing six SS-N-8-sized missile tubes (Figure 1). The identification of the 402M weapon
system is largely based on the observation of SS-N-8 ballast cans in and near the submarine
the submarine had been placed on the south shelf of the ship lift basin at Yagry
Island, where it remained E: -1 possibly undergoing posttrials ad-
justments it was again in the water and remained at the main quay at
Yagry Island the 402M had
departed the yard.
5. The 402M SSB was fitted out at Yagry Island from late 1971 through September
1974 (Table 1) white water was observed aft of the
submarine stern indicating propeller activity associated with dock trials in progress. These
trials usually precede sea trials, which may have occurred during a period of very sparse
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Ballast Cans
6. six SS-N-8 ballast cans were observed on the quay near
the submarine at Yagry Island. By 15 November the number of cans had been reduced to
three. This count remained when six cans were again seen. This move-
ment of ballast cans corresponds to the postdock-trials period for the 402M SSB and in-
dicates that the 402M may have been on sea trials during this period of sparse photographic
coverage.
7. When the 402M SSB went to sea again in October 1975 it took only four of the six
SS-N-8 ballast cans, leaving two cans on the quay. This analysis of ballast can movements
may indicate that the remaining two 402M missile tubes contained missiles, possibly the
NE-2.
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Table 1. Chronology of Events Associated with the Possible 402M SSB and NE-2 Missile Firings
402M
In
Departed 402 M/402 K
Position II,
Departed
t Q
W
SSB
Conversion
FITTING OUT
Yard at NSSSF*
uay,
es
Yard
ls
Yagry Island
a
P
T
i
l
S
T
Trials
ea
r
a
s
oss
SS-N-8
BALLAST
CANS ON
QUAY
0
0
4/6
1 4
Plus 2 6
In 402M
AMGA
Position III,
E
Q
Position V, Ea
st Quay,
AEM
NOT PRESENT
ast
uay,
Shipyard 402
Shipyard 4
02
NE-2
FIRINGS
NO FIRING ACTIVITY
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Top Secret R U Ff
8. , the 402M returned to Severodvinsk but was berthed at the
Nuclear Submarine Special Support Facility. The number of ballast cans remained un-
changed on the quay at Yagry Island. Then, a NE-2
missile was launched from the White Sea area,1 only a few hours' sailing time from Severod-
vinsk
the 402M SSB was absent from the yard.
everodvinsk, the 402M SSB had returned
to Yagry Island and was berthed at the west quay with three more SS-N-8 ballast cans on
the quay nearby.
AMGA AEM
9. Concurrent with these September-to-November movements was the arrival of the
AMGA missile support ship (AEM) at the east quay of Shipyard 402. The AMGA AEM is
currently assessed as having an SS-N-8 supply/loading capability and has been observed
supplying D-class SSBNs in the Northern Fleet operating bases. The AMGA AEM arrived
at Shipyard 402 for the first time and moored at position III on the
east quay. At that time the six SS-N-8 ballast cans were still on the quay at Yagry Island
adjacent to the 402M SSB. he AMGA AEM had moved to position V on the
east quay at Shipyard 402, and the 402M SSB had departed the yard leaving two ballast
cans on the quay. The AMGA AEM did not move
10. The presence of the AMGA AEM at the yard is not fully understood at this time.
The assumption that the AMGA AEM loaded a new or modified missile of SS-N-8 size into
the 402M SSB might provide an explanation. Sufficient quayside cranes already exist at
the yard for normal SS-N-8 loading operations, as evidenced by the numerous D-class and
402P SSBN sea trials/missile firings supported there previously.
D-class SSBN Patrol Areas
13. When this 402M SSB (with SS-N-8-sized missile tubes) and the NE-2 association
theory is linked to the new D-class patrol areas, 1,000 nm closer to its North American
targets than the previous patrol areas in the Barents Sea, the possibility of a shorter range
MIRV SS-N-8 in development seems more plausible.
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