DELTA SERIES SSBN PROGRAM USSR

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP78T05162A000400010130-3
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
T
Document Page Count: 
7
Document Creation Date: 
December 28, 2016
Document Release Date: 
July 14, 2011
Sequence Number: 
130
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
December 1, 1976
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
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PDF icon CIA-RDP78T05162A000400010130-3.pdf194.49 KB
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/14: CIA-RDP78TO5162A000400010130-3 o~ Seuet- NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER PHOTOGRAPHIC I NTERPRETATION REPORT DELTA SERIES SSBN PROGRAM USSR To33mst- DECEMBER 1976 Copy 2 1 PIR-017/76 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/14: CIA-RDP78TO5162A000400010130-3 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/14: CIA-RDP78TO5162A000400010130-3 Warning Notice Sensitive Intelligence Sources and Methods Involved 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 IJSIBONLY- USIB Departments Only ORCON- Dissemination and Extraction of Information Controlled by Originator REL. . .- This Information has been Authorized for Release to . . . Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/14: CIA-RDP78TO5162A000400010130-3 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/14: CIA-RDP78TO5162A000400010130-3 DELTA-SERIES SSBN PROGRAM, USSR Summary 1. Three significant facts about the Delta- (D-) series nuclear-powered ballistic mis- sile submarine (SSBN) production were derived from an analysis of photography of the Severodvinsk Shipyard Complex, USSR. First, the configuration of the outer hull keel area is probably deeper than that of the Yankee- (Y-) class SSBN, suggesting a capability to carry a larger missile. Second, with the construction of the fifth unit and the follow-on units, the missile bay was higher than those of the previous D-class SSBN 25X1 hulls. Finally, the observation of large, , ballast cans with the 25X1 modified D-II SSBNs (units 5-8) and their movement from the storage area indicate that the SS-NX-18 missile will be carried on these submarines. 2. Because of the difference in missile bay size and the probable weapon system carried, unit 5 and similarly configured units should be designated as D-III SSBNs. It is possible that if the height of the missile bay is increased, D-II SSBN units 1 through 4 and even the D-I SSBNs could carry the SS-NX-18 missile. Discussion 3. In October 1971 D-class SSBN flotation device supports (Figure 1) were first observed in the launch basin along launch rail D at Severodvinsk Shipyard 402 25X1 . When first seen, they were adjacent to Y-class flotation device supports along launch 25X1 rail C. The supports along launch rail D were larger than those used in the Y-class launch 25X1 This observation of the new supports coincided with 25X1 the completion of deepening the launch basin. . 4. When the flotation devices have been seen attached to both Y- and D-class sub- marines, they appear to be attached at the same relative position below the missile bay. If the submarines have a common hull configuration below the waterline, a larger device sup- port would not be needed for the D-class SSBN. Therefore, this increase in the size of the supports, especially in the height, suggests that the outer hull keel area of the D-series SSBN is deeper than that of the Y-class SSBN. This change may have been necessary so that the D-class SSBN could accommodate the SS-N-8 missile. 5. Extensive mensuration was conducted to determine whether there were any differences among the D-II SSBN units 25X1 25X1 Both units were at Severodvinsk Shipyard 402. Measurements were made to determine mis- sile bay height relative to the walking deck and the sail planes. The missile bay of D-II SSBN unit 1 is similar to that of the D-I SSBNs, ::::]above 25X1 the walking deck. ?ryi 25X1 Top Secret Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/14: CIA-RDP78TO5162A000400010130-3 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/14: CIA-RDP78T05162A000400010130-3 Top Secret RUFF 6. Additional measurements were made of three of the first four D-II SSBNs ossibl including unit 1) when they were observed at Olenya Guba Submarine Base 25X1 The missile bays were roughly 3 meters (9.8 feet above the walking 25X1 deck, approximately the same height as that of unit 1 four D-II 25X1 SSBNs (units 5-8) were at the main quay of Severodvinsk Shipyard 402. wo 25X1 D-II SSBNs were seen there, and another D-II SSBN was on the north ledge of the launch basin at Severodvinsk Shipyard Yagry Island 25X1 25X1 7. In May 1975, 12 new ballast cans were identified at Severodvinsk Shipyard 402. Eight of the new cans were near construction hall No 2, and four were in the storage area near the calibration quay. The new ballast cans are longer than the SS-N-8 ballast cans. By the end of April 1976, at least 25 of the larger ballast cans were in the storage area (Figure 2). The only known submarine-launched ballistic missile of comparable size under development is the SS-NX-18 missile. These larger ballast cans are believed to be associated with this system and will be designated as SS-NX-18 ballast cans. 8. The SS-NX-18 ballast cans were first associated with a specific class of submarine a 25X1 25X1 n that date four of these ballast cans were on the main 25X1 quay near D-II unit 6, and only 11 or 12 remained in the storage area. 25X1 eight SS-NX-18 ballast cans were on the quay, and none were in the storage 25X1 area. Prior to 15 August, D-II SSBN unit 5 had been fitting-out along the main quay. No SS- NX-18 ballast cans were seen being loaded into unit 5; however, because such a large number of cans had been moved, it is likely that they had been loaded into D-II unit 5, as well as unit 6. Comments 9. The dimensional difference between the missile bays of units 1 through 4 and those of units 5 through 8 indicates that there are two types of D-II SSBNs. The first type, D-II SSBN units 1 through 4, apparently carries the SS-N-8 missile. The second type, units 5 through 8 (and probably all the follow-on units), has been associated with and apparently carries the SS-NX-18 missile. Because of the difference in the size of the missile bay and in the missile system carried, unit 5 and the follow-on units will be reported as D-III-class SSBNs. 10. If the hull keel area of the D series is the same for all units, then it is possible that, by increasing the height of the missile bay and changing the launch tubes, the D-I- and D-II- class SSBNs could be modified to carry the SS-NX-18 missile. High-resolution photography of all units leaving overhaul facilities would be required to determine whether this modifica- tion were undertaken. Imagery of similar quality would also be necessary to distinguish un- modified D-II SSBNs from D-III SSBNs at operating bases. Top Secret Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/14: CIA-RDP78T05162A000400010130-3 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/14: CIA-RDP78TO5162A000400010130-3 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/14: CIA-RDP78TO5162A000400010130-3 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/14: CIA-RDP78TO5162A000400010130-3 Top Secret RUFF MAPS OR CHARTS SAC. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet 0092-22, scale 1:200,000 REQUIREMENT Project 143470ND Top Secret Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/14: CIA-RDP78TO5162A000400010130-3 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/14: CIA-RDP78TO5162A000400010130-3 Top Secret Top Secret Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/14: CIA-RDP78TO5162A000400010130-3