LAUNCH COMPLEX 'E' SURFACE-TO-SURFACE MISSILE FACILITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05439A000100320099-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 14, 2000
• Sequence Number: 99
• Publication Date: October 1, 1960
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2001/08/20 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000100320099-1
Approved For Release 2001/08/20 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000100320099-1
 LAUNCH COMPLEX "E"
SURFACE-TO-SURFACE MISSILE FACILITIES
KAPUSTIN YAR/VLADIMIROVKA
MISSILE TEST cCENTER, USSR
PIC/JR-21 /60
Declassification review by NIMA/DOD
s
cn-W coev
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PREFACE
This joint photographic` intelligence report has been prepared by the
Army, Navy, and Central Intelligence Agency as a partial answer to Army
SRI-59T-1-59 and SRI-61r-1-59, Navy DNI Project 436-59 and 417-60,
Central Intelligence Agency RP/E/R84/59 and SI/R56/59, and JPRC/
R22/59. This report is the first of several presenting a detailed photo
analysis. on the Complexes that form the Surface-to-Surface Missile
Facilities at the Kapustin Yar/Vladimirovka Missile Test Center.
Whenever applicable the reports will present a comparative analysis
25X1 D of the photography, and the line draw-
ings will portray in green all changes and additions subsequent to the 25X1 D-
coverage. Letter designations have replaced initially assigned zone num-
bers, but the latter are referenced parenthetically thro~ighout this and the
future reports. All reported azimuths are referenced from true north,
and the. term miles refers to nautical miles. -
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 Surface-To-Air
Missile Faci111. s (PIC/JR?14(.60)
SAM LAUNCH COMPLEX
MAUTIUI MAIl
CIA/PIC G?3034
INIIIIIIOMT III
INSIIUMTNIATION SIZE
NTAI JAI( (110N 70 NM
~wl sNI
LAUNCH COMPILE
Xoxo H. u.ln
1071 51q R, ,. ????
UPPOIT AIIA
LEAP ~I.Ta
IAVIIC II COMllll G?,
FIGURE 1. KAPUSTIN YAR/VLADIMIROVKA MISSILE TEST CENTER. his map shows the areas of the Surface-to-Surface Missile FacilE.
Clop, and, specifically, Launch Complex "E". Significant additions since throughourthe Test Center are shown In green.
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Approved For Release 2001/08/20 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000100320099=1
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LAUNCH COMHII T
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INTRODUCTION
The Surface-to-Surface Missile Facilities, which are located'
primarily
in the central part of the Kapustin Yar/ Vladimirovka Missile-Test Center
and constitute its largest group of facilities, comprise- the following eight
complexes: Launch Complexes "Alt, 1 "C" and "E"; Troop Training
Launch -Complexes "F" and "G"; the Rocket Launch Complex, and the Test
and Support -Complex (Figure 1.).. The former V-2 Launch Site, now aban-
doned, is also located in the area of the SSM Facilities. All these com-
plexes are supported from Kapustin Yar with the exception of Troop
Training Launch Complex "G" which receives support from Vladimirovka.
Launch Complex "E", under construction in is'the
25X1 D
most recent of the SSM launch complexes. Its presence is indicative of.a
new missile system under development. The area of Complex "E" was
covered b
25X1 D
y aerial photography on and
a
ain on
g
.
At the time of the co
25X1 D
verage the Complex was in a
late
sta
e of
25X1 D
g
construction; there was no evidence on the photograph y
su
e
ti
i
25X1 D
gg
s
ng
ts eventual establishment. It is estimated that the Complex
should have become operational by mid 1960.
Launch Complex "E" is road served and consists of a double-fenced
launch area (Launch Area "E") and a single-fenced Assembly and Checkout
Area (Figure 2). Launch Area "E" is situated at 48-46N 46-18E, 28 miles
by road from Kapustin Yar. The Assembly and Checkout Area is located
four miles to the. south of the launch area, a4jacent to the support area
of Launch Complex "All (Zone 7)_
No guidance or instrumentation facilities have been identified as being
associated with Complex "E", 'and, therefore, the general direction of fire
cannot be determined. However, it should be noted that the orientation
of the large square launch pad (Item 1, Figure 4) is about 50? from north
or nearly coincident with that of the rhombic antennas under construction
near Launch Complex "C" (See CIA/PIC/JB-11/60). If firings are to be
in an easterly direction, as evidenced at other SSM launch complexes, then
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PIC/JR-21/60
EARLY
CONSTRUCTION
AREA
these firings would be. over- a dia-
gonal of the pad. At the time of the.
photo coverage, no 25X1 D
water, power, or communications
lines appeared to connect the as-
sembly and checkout area with the
launch area.
Two inactive areas of minor
importance, an Early Construction
Area and an Unidentified Area, are
located to the west of and along the
road to the launch area. The Early
Construction Area, delineated by a
firebreak, covers about 20 acres.
It contains seven single-story build-
ings of various sizes and a group
of 38 tent -bases. The area appears
abandoned and apparently was active
only during the early construction
phase of the launch area. The Uni-
dentified Area, also delineated by a
firebreak and covering about 35
acres, was probably in existence
prior to the construction of the road
AREA U/C
LAUNCH COMPLEX "A"TO KAPUSTJN YAR CIA/PIC G-3633
FIGURE' 2. LAUNCH COMPLEX "E". This illus-
tration shows the' location and association of areas
comprising this Complex.
to the launch area, since the road
is superimposed over the extreme
western end of the surrounding fire-
break. There are no structures or
buildings in the area, and there is
no evidence that it will be used in
the future.
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PIC/JR-21/60
LAUNCH AREA "E"
in form lines on Figure 4.
Launch Area "E" (Figures 3 and 4), situated at the terminus of .a new
all-weather road from Launch Complex "A", is a nearly square double-
fenced area 1, 840 by 1,680 feet covering about 70 acres. Security consists
of two perimeter fences, 160 feet apart, with guard towers at each corner,
and a security building. Between the fences is a ditch with short offshoots
to each guard tower. Significant items in the launch area include a launch
pad, a control bunker, a vehicle revetment, a vehicle bunker, and two
semiburied tanks. A concrete service road 25 feet wide enters the area
from the west, tees near the control bunker, and provides access to the
large square launch pad. Other items within the area include three circular
ground scars and eight single-story general support and maintenance
buildings. Sufficient room is available in the northern half of the launch
area for the construction of another large launch pad. However, at the
time of photography there was no evidence that a second pad was being
constructed. The location and orientation of the predicted pad is shown
is of concrete construction. It is the largest square pad found at the SSM
launch complexes. A concrete loop road, 25 feet wide, provides access
to the pad on the southeast side and at the west corner. Drainage ditches
are present in the vicinity of the pad, and both the launch pad and service
road have been graded above the general level of the land to insure proper
drainage. On the pad * and in line with the road on the southeast side are
six vertical poles ?0 feet high in two rows of three each- These poles,
which have possible cross members on top, form an aisle 50 feet long
and 15 feet wide. They may be part of a missile handling structure,
supports for a canvas covering, or some other facility in an early stage
Item 1 - Launch pad: The launch pad measures 230 feet on a side and
Adetailed description of all unc area items follows-
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CIA/PIC G-3636 fil+.tL=
FIGURE 3. LAUNCH AREA 'E' AND TWO ADJACENT INACTIVE AREAS.
-1
PIC/JR-21/60
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a
TO ASSEMBLY
AMC) CHECKOU
AREA 4 NM
1 I
FEET
FIGURE 4_ LAUNCH AREA E. This area contains the largest square launch pad in the SSM launch complexes.
111,
'I PROJECTED LAYOUT OF PAD
CONTROL BUNKER
I j .0
. .. ? l LJI 4
LIGHT POLES
70 H.
1680?
I,
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PIC/JR-21/60
of construction. A concrete apron extends off the,north end of the pad
and serves the vehicle revetment and bunker (Items 3 and 4). Four 70-
foot-high light standards are located on the northeast and southwest sides
of the pad. Lines constructed between diagonally opposite poles pass
through the center of the pad.
.Item 2 - Control bunker: The control bunker, located in the center of
the launch area, 375 feet from the center of the launch pad, is an earth-
mounded structure measuring 125 feet square at the base,- 70 feet square
at the top, and about 10 to 15 feet high. Possib3y five objects are on top
of the bunker. Two probable cable trenches lead from near the bunker
to the pad. Access is.gained through a personnel entrance in the. north
side. of the bunker. If a second pad were to be constructed, this bunker
would probably serve both.
Item 3 - Vehicle revetment: This revetment, which abuts the north-
west side of the pad, is 50 feet long and 25 feet wide- It may serve as an
entrance beneath the pad or as protection for launch support equipment.
At least three other launch areas in the SSM facilities have a similarly
positioned revetment. The road leading to this revetment, the concrete
apron, land the northwestern edge of the launch pad delineate a dark,
slightly depressed, circular area, 70 feet in diameter- No particular
significance or function can be attached to this area. ~
Item 4 - Vehicle bunker: This bunker consists of a covered s ction
40 by 20 feet divided into two bays, served by a ramp measuring 50 by
40 feet. It probably serves as protection for launch support equipment.
Again, if a second pad were constructed, this bunker might be used jointly.
Item 5 - Two semiburied tanks: Two tanks, 45 feet in diameter and
40 feet apart, are located along a branch of the T-shaped service road. A
valve or pump house is situated between the tanks. No pipeline traces
can be observed either entering or leaving these tanks.
Item 6 - Three circular ground scars: These scars, one of which has
the appearance of being a buried tank, are about 25 feet in diameter. They
are located in the northeastern section of the launch area and positioned
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PIC/JR-21/60
linear scar connects two of these .circular scars.
Items 7 through 10 - Buildings: These structures are located in a
north-south line near the center of the launch area. The largest is a
gable-roofed structure (Item 8) measuring 55 by 35 feet. It is probably
intended for use by launch personnel but not for active support of firing
operations. No functions can be-determined for the other three buildings:
item 7, 20 by 20 feet, gable roofed; item 9, 30 by 25 feet, ' flat roofed; and
item-10, 25 by 20 feet, flat roofed.
Items 11 through 14 -0 Buildings: These structures, located between
the two security fences near the entrance to the launch area, are concerned
with the security and maintenance of the launch area. The security build-
ing (Item 11) measures 75 by 30 feet and probably has accommodations
for the patrolling troops. A 65-foot-high stack, detached from the build-
ing, is located near the south end. The other three buildings are: item 12,
60 by 30 feet, flat roofed; item 13, 45 by 45 feet, hip roofed; and item 14,
25 by 20 feet, gable roofed. Parking hardstands are associated with two
so as to form a triangle with two sides measuring about 220 feet and one
side 290 feet. An unidentified object is near the center of each scar. A
buildings (Items 11 and 12).
The Assembly and Checkout Area, in mid stage of construction in
is road served and located just north of the. support area
of Launch Complex "A" (Figure 5). Its association with Launch Complex
"E" is based on its location along the new road to the launch area and the
convenient flow pattern evident at the drive-through building. However,
since Launch Complex "A" is undergoing modification and expansion, the
possibility that this area may have a functional relationship with Complex
"A" cannot be overlooked. In either case this area will receive its utility
support from Complex "A".
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S VEHICLES
14
-U /C
ASSEMBL Y AND
'=CHECKOUT B ?LDG.
__ 200? X 130 I
TO KAPUST IN YAM `PITCH
STEARA/HEAT PIJVANT
SUPPORT ARE
~~. LAUNCH COM
_.~'? - / (ZONE11
0 500
1 1
FEET
CIA/Pic G?3638
FIGURE 5. ASSEMBLY AND CHECKOUT ARE . The large drive-through building in this area was under con-
struction in
25X1 D
The area, which encompasses about nine acres, is enclosed by a fence
measuring 725 by 550 feet. Guard towers and a security building were not
present at time of photography. Within the area there is an assembly and
checkout building and several miscellaneous structures. Outside the secu-
rity fence is a group of 55 tent bases present in_ a group of 45 tent 25X1 D
bases new since- and four randomly positioned-buildings, the largest
of which is gabled roofed and measures 90 by 30 feet. Four vehicles are
located near one building while about 10 vehicles are observed at various
locations inside the fenced area. A detailed description of items within the
fenced area follows.
Item 1 - Assembly and checkout building: This drive-through building,
which measures 200 feet long by 130 feet wide, has a total floor space of
26,000 square feet. It consists of a 70-foot-wide, 200-foot-long-clere-
story center section flanked by two 30-foot-wide, 25-foot-high workshops.
The workshops are roofed; the center section has only the end supports
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x
EARTH MOUND
90' X 30-
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PIC/JR-21/60
-in position. Two rows of windows are visible on one side of one workshop.
The entrance to the clerestory center section.will be about 45 feet wide.
A parking hardstand is being constructed at both ends of the building. An
open ditch, probably for a steam line leads from the southern corner of
the building, across the road, and past the steam/heat plant in the support
area of Launch Complex "A". A building under construction at a new
rail-served assembly and checkout area at Launch Complex "C" is similar
in plan view and dimensions.
Items 2 through 4 - Buildings: No particular function other than gen-
eral support can be ascribed to these three single-story structures, which
measure 30?by 20 feet, 40 by 20 feet, and 60 by 15 feet, respectively.
Item 5 - - Sump or pit: This is an excavation 30 feet square which has
two parallel earth scars leading from it. ,
CONCLUSIONS
Launi Complex "E" is a road-served ballistic missile launch facility
to be used in the research and development of a new missile system. It
should be operational by mid-1960. Although one launch pad is present, it
is expected that a second pad will eventually be constructed. Since no
instrumentation facilities can be -associated with the complex, it is assumed
either that they are yet. to be constructed or that the missile will use
existing test range instrumentation. Since both the launch pid and the
assembly and checkout building are large when compared with those at
the other SSM launch complexes, it is possible that the missile to be fired
from Launch Complex "E" is as large as or larger than those fired from
the other -SSM launch complexes.
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REFERENCES
MAPS or CHARTS
CIA. 11995, The Lower Volga Area East of Stalingrad, Jun 52 (6-52),
Scale 1:300, 000 (S)
AMS. Series N501, Sheet NM 38-_11 (Stalingrad), 3d ed,"' Scale 1:250,000
(U)
AMS. Series N501, Sheet NM 38-12 (Petropavlovskyy), 2d ed, Scale
1:250,000 (U)
SAC. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, 0235-22 AL, 3d ed, May 60,
Scale 1:200,000 (S)
DOCUMENTS
- 14 -
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