SOVIETS INCREASING THEIR LF/VLF COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05439A000300040108-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 25, 2003
• Sequence Number: 108
• Publication Date: December 1, 1963
• Content Type: REPORT

ILLEGIB gpproved For Release 2003/08/18 :CIA-RDP78T05439A000300040108-9
Approved For Release 2003/08/18 :CIA-RDP78T05439A000300040108-9
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 Very Low .Frequency Communication Site (Goliath-type)
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Lorenz Ground-System Installation `Goliath'
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Soviet High-Power LF/VLF Transmitter Sites
following page
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25X1A
.A gradual increase in Soviet very low frequency (VLF) communi-
?cations capability is: shown by the installation of additional antenna
systems for radio transmission at these frequencies. Two new an-
tenna installations recently were observed in Western USSR. A
General Sciences Division
OSI/CIA.
25X1 G
25X1 D
s 25X1 C
SOVIETS INCREASING THEIR LF/VLF
saw ; ayn antenna farm east of Kiev that
appeared to be `a type used for VLF radio transmission.' It con-
` silted of a definite cluster of high towers, about. half of which stood
slightly-" higher than the others. Sucli~, an arrangement is charac-
teristic of most .VLF' antenna systems, particularly the .Goliath
(nickname for OWorld War II VLF installation) pattern, which
apparently is used by the Soviets in all of their VLF antenna designs.
Photographic intelligence of a VLF communications antenna sys-
tem under. construction, ax Vileyka, Belorussia, clearly shows a
fine the pattern of a ground plane reflector
of the Goliath-type VLF antenna system.
which de-
Since World War II, the Soviets have constructed at least eight
LF/VLF transmitting stations and associated antenna systems.
The first of these was observed by at Kudma,
near Gorkiy, and it was identified as the Goliath antenna
s stem which had been transporter} by the Soviets
The Soviet antenna at Kudma appeared to be just about
e same in physical arrangement as the Dinstallation, ex-
cept for some slight reduction in the mast heights. Other Soviet
LF/VLF transmitters were later identified and their locations
determined by radio direction finding methods, but their physical
characteristics were not determined. (See map.)
TOP SECRET
 25X1 D
SUPPORT AREA
Missia
VARY. LOW FREQUENCY
COMMUNfCATION SITE
~~GOLIATH-TYPE)
. VILEYKA, USSR 54-28N 2647E
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Approved For Release 2003/08/18 :CIA-RDP78T05439A000300040108-9
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25X1 C
The photograph of the Vileyka site is the first firm evidence that
the Soviets are continuing to use the Goliath-type antenna system
pattern for their - L.F/VLF s~tion- antennas. A comparison of the
Vileyka system with the original shows
they are almost identical. (See? sketch.) It is quite like y, erefore,
that the Soviets have? used the same physical arrangement in the
construction of at least some of their LF/VLF antenna systems.
It also -appears- that- the .Soviets .are.. determined, to maintain their
advantage over the United States in utilizing very low frequencies
communications by continued expansion of their LF/VLF
for' radio
_
network. ~At;~very`~ low' frequencies, radio communications serve
remarkably well i.n -support of naval, operations, because radio
signals transmitted at these frequencies are rel'iabIy received over
2.5X1 C
TOP SECRET