LAUNCH COMPLEX C, KAPUSTIN YAR/VLADIMIROVKA MISSILE TEST CENTER, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05439A000300360026-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 41
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 25, 2001
• Sequence Number: 26
• Publication Date: April 1, 1964
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2001/11/07 :CIA-RDP78T05439A000300360026-5
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Approved For Release 2001/11/07 :CIA-RDP78T05439A000300360026-5
 25X1~C
DECLASS REVIEW BY NIMA_/ DoD
/?3ooS'
N PIC/R-1 18/64
Apr i 11964
? PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION REPORT
? LAUNCH COMPLEX C,
KAPUSTIN YAR /VLADIMIROVKA
MISSILE TEST CENTER, USSR
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
 25X1 C
LAUNCH COMPLEX C,
KAPI,JSTIN YAR / VLADIMIROVKA
MISSILE TEST C~.NTER, USSR
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
t
25X1C SECRET
 SECRET
i
25X1A
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
f
t
partial answer to a general requirement for a detailed analysis of the
Kapustin Yar ~Vladimirovka ~1issile Test .Cer.rer
derived from hotography.
For purposes of this report, where not otherwise specified
present tense.
frame from
Future tense in general is used to indicate th e
- on, and should not be projected from the
date of publication of the report.
The surface-to-surface missile (SS\1) launch facilities in the
Kapustin Yar iVladimirovka i\1issile Test Center (KY/Vlad ~7I'C) con-
sist of the following complexes: Launch Complexes :~, B, C, D, E, F~,
and G and the Rocket Launch Complex (Figure 1). The former V.-2
launch sit?,. later abandoned, is also located in the area of the SSi\-1
facilities.
25X1 C
 25X1C SECRET ~ ,
Page
Preface ........................................iii
Summary. 1
Introduction 2
Launch Area 1C. .. 2
Launch Site _ 2
Field Troop-Training Sites ... 6
Launch Area 2C 6
Launch Site 2C-1. 9
Launch Site 2C-2. 10
Support Facilities 10
Launch Area 3C 10
Launch Site. ~ 1Q
Dumbbell Configuration 1-1
Operational \4issile Support Facilities ... 1~
Final Checkout Area 1C 15
Final Checkout Area 3C 16
~i'arhead Handling and Checkout Area ~~'est. 18
\ti'arhead handling and Checkout Area East . 19
Final. Assembly and Checkout Area, Under Construction . .. 20
Nonoperational Support Facilities . 22
Administration, Housing, and Service Area. 22
Additional Administration, Housing, and Service Area,
[ender Construction 2-I
Bivouac Area .. 25
Electronic Sites 25
Launch Complex C Instrumentation Sites 2~
Operations Control Center. 26
Site C-2. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . ... . . . . . .. . . . . 27
Site C-3. 28
Instrumentation Sites C-4 and C-S 29
Near-Range Interferometer-Type Instrumentation Sites 30
Lake Llton Interferometer Site. 30
Verkhniy Baskunchak Interferometer Site. ... 31
Possible Interferometer Site, Under Construction 32
Rangehead Communications Site, Under Construction . 33
References . 3-1
~'
t
25X1 C
 25X1 C
FIGURE
1.
I:APUSTIN 1':~K/\'L:IDIMIRO\'I:A \1ISSILE TEST
CE:~ I-ER Facing 1
FIGURE
2.
LAUNCH COMYLE?C C
1
FIGURE
3.
L.-~U\CH :\RE:\ 1C, DECEMBER 199 .
3
FIGURE
-I.
LAU\CII AREA 1C.
-I
FIGURE
~.
LAUNCH AKEA 2C, DECEMBER 1959.
7
FIGURE
6.
LAUNCH AKEA 2C.
S
FIGURE
7.
LAUNCH AREA 3C, Di~EMBER 1959.
12
FIGURE
S.
LAUNCH ARE:1 3C.
13
FIGURE
9.
FINAL CHECKOUT AREA 1C.
16
FIGURE 10.
FIGURE il.
FI\:\L CHECKOUT AKEA 3C.
~1'ARHE:\D H:~NDLING A:~D CHECKOUT AREA
17
FIGURE 12.
\1 EST
~'~'AKHEAD HANDLING :\ND CHECIOUT AREA
18
FIGURE 13.
E:SST.
FINAL ASSE~'IBLY AND CHECKOUT :\RE.-~ ,
20
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
21
FIGURE 1-I.
AD\4INISTRATION, HOUSING, :\tiD SERVICE AKEA.
23
FIGURE 15. ADDITIONAL ADi\IINISTKATIO\, HOUSING, AND
SERVICE AREA, UNDER CONSTRUCTION ~.
2-1
FIGUKE 16.
ELECTKONIC SITES
26
FIGUKE 17.
OPEKA'I~IONS CONTROL CENTER (SITE C-1)
27
FIGURE 18.
INSTRUi\IENTATION SITE C-2
2S
FIGURE 19.
Ii~S-I-RUME\~I~A"I~IO\ SITE C-3. _
28
FIGURE 20.
INSTKUAIENTATION SITE C--I.
29
FIGURE 21.
FIGURE 22.
FIGURE 23.
INS"I RUAIEN'I~ATION SITE C-~.
VERKHNI~ BASKUNCHAK Ii~TEKFEKO~\~1ETER
POSSIBLE I\TERFERO~\1ETER SITE, UNDER
30
CONSTKUC LION
32
SECRET
25X1 C
 25X1 C
ROCKET LAUNCH
COMPLEX ,
/ TROOP TRAINING
LAUNCH COMPLEX F
rot,c.a
Railroad
Road, primary
Road, secondary
-?- Powerline
- - - - Probable cable scar
- ~---. Escarpment
~ Instrumentation site
t
25X1 C
 TO LAUNCH COMPLE% D, G
AND VLADI MIROVKA
Photography of revealed a
major SS\1 launch comp ex at tie K~" Mad
~'fTC. This launch complex, designated Launch
25X1D Complex C, included in-two launch areas
i.
f1C and 3C) consisting of four launch pads, tu'o
final checkout areas, two warhead handling and
checkout areas, an administration, housing and
service area, and instrumentation sites.
On_photography, anumber of changes
~;?ere noted at Complex C. :~ ne~c launch area
i2C) was under construction. The area was to
have two launch pads. In addition, a number of
field-type launch positions were added northeast
y\TO KAPU STIN YAR
~x~
POSSIBLE INTERFEROMETER SITE
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
a
LAUNCH AREA IC
PROBABLE WATERLINE
VNDER CCN ST RUCTION
Red indicates additions since
< Fence
-M- Waif
- -Probable cable scar
- -- Powerline
toco o zooo aooo
ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATION, HOUSING AND
SERVICE AREA UNDER CONSTRUCTION
FINAL A55EM BLY AND CHECKOUT AREA
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
of Launch :area 1C. :\ new railroad-served
final assemble and checkout area .vas under
construction at the time of the photography.
:~ permanent communications facility and a ne~v
administration and housing area were under
construction. .\ large bivouac area also was
present in the western section of Launch Com-
plex C. Two interferometer sites and a third
possible interferometer site under construction,
all added bet~ti?een the
~ INSTRUMENTATION
/ -SITE C-2
7.8 NM
also are discussed here under Complex C, as
part of their function is to sen~e Complex C.
;?N PROBABLE
WATERLINE
WARHEAD HANDLING 4ND
CHECKOUT AREA wC ST
-::
GOUBLE RHOMBIC ANTENNA
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
1 AREA A CONTROL
CENTER (A-1)
5.7 NM
INSTRUMENTATION
SITE C-4
~~
`~,
. IN STRV MEN TATION
1~~~ SITE C-5
INSTRUMENTATION
SITE C~3 7.9 NM _
25X1 C
 25X1 C
\PIC,/R- 1183 '64
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
Launch Complex C (Figure 2), at ~8-35-03
-f6-16-OOE, the largest of the SSM facilities, is
approximately in the center of the launch com-
paralleled the main road to the complex from
the Test and Support Complex 15 nm west.
There is evidence that this rail line vas to be
extended southward. This launch complex con-
tains launch areas; support areas, for both
operational and nonoperational missile support;
and instrumentation sites.
25X1 D
25X1 D
Launch Area 1C (48-36-50'~ 46-17-40E),
located at the terminus of an all-weather road
which leads northeast from the Operations Con-
trol Center (Site C1), consists of a double-
fenced launch site and four or possibly five
field troop-training sites (Figures 3 and 4). In
~onl}? the launch site existed and at that time
it appeared inactive. ~ On ho-
tography this site was very active with most, if
not all, of a single SS-4 battalion engaged in a
training exercise. Checkout and launch equip-
ment for a complete battery was in position on
or near the pad. \lost of the additional equip-
ment to complete a four-battery battalion was
parked near the drive-through building of Final
Checkout Area 1C located 2,500 feet to the rear
of Launch Area 1C. The field training sites,
added since-w'ere inactive at the time of
25X1 D the-photography but showed extensive signs
of recent vehicular activity.
The launch site appeared to be primarily a
25X1 D research and development facility in_How-
25X1 D ever, the addition by_of the field troop-
training sites and the exercise observed in
progress indicate that Launch Area 1C also vas
being used for troop training.
The launch site is irregularly shaped,
measures 1,-115 by 770 feet, and encompasses
about 25 acres. Security is provided by two
fences, four guard towers, and a security build-
ing. Major facilities within the site area large,
square, concrete launch pad, a control bunker,
three vehicle revetments, three vehicle bunkers,
an earth revetment, and an earthen bunker. A
good internal road network serves many of
these facilities.
The most significant items found on the
coverage are the SS-4 battalion exercise
an new vehicle tracks leading from Final
Checkout Area 1C around each side of the fenced
launch site to ne~v access gates on the east side.
A detailed description of facilities at the launch
site follows (item numbers and letters keyed to
Figure 4).
concrete, 185 feet square, and appears to be
raised slightly above ground level A contiguous
concrete apron extends 100 feet north from the
pad and abuts the control bunker (Item 2); it
contains a vehicle revetment with a 50-foot
and was being expanded in
25X1 D
SECRET
25X1 C
 ----- Vehicle Uack
Fence
--- Cable
--- - Probable cable
Light pole
FIGURE 4. LAUNCH AREA 1 C.
- -~ -
FIELD
TROOP-TRAINING
\ SITES
\
\
\
~ \
~ \
\ \
\ ~
~' \ \ POSSIBLE
~ \
~ \`
\\
itions since
Road
----- Vehicle Uack
--.~-- Fence
--- Probable cable scar
? Launch point
- Vehicle revetment
i
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 SECRET
25X1 C
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
t
ramp which appears to extend under the pad.
access to the pad is provided by a concrete
loop road, 20 feet wide, which joins the pad at
the northwest and southwest corners. :mother
concrete loop road runs east from the pad and
serves associated revetments. :round the pad
are five light poles, 120 to 200 feet from the
pad center. .~ probable cable scar runs from
the access road into the west side of this launch
pad.
On -photography a launch platform was
positioned on the center of the pad. On _
-photography, equipment on or ad j~ cent
to the pad consisted of a launch platform (:~1,
mobile launcher 'erector (B), five checkout,.'
support vans (C), a support van (Dl, a mobile
service platform (E), an oxidizer transport
truck (F), a probable water truck (G), _a fuel
transport trailer (H), 2 oxidizer transport
trailers (I), and various smaller unidentified
objects.
Item 2--Control Bunker. The control bunk-
er, 225 feet north of the launch point, is semi-
buried. The bunker is approximately 130 by
100 feet and probably is of concrete construc-
tion. On the roof, near the center of the bunker,
are two probable periscope-type objects. The
entrance is on the northeast corner and a pos-
sible ventilator is at each of the other three
corners. :~ probable cable scar runs from the
control bunker to the access road just inside
the fenced area. :1 second probable cable scar
leading northeast connects with a small building.
.~ branch from this scar extends to a vehicle
revetment (Item 4) just east of the control
bunker. ~ third probable cable scar leads 3~0
feet west from the control bunker and connects
with an unidentified object about 10 feet in
diameter.
Items 3, 4, and S--Vehicle Revetments.
These revetments have concrete ramps, and
their closed ends are oriented toward the center
of the pad. The largest (Item 3), which is on
the apron and -abuts the north' side of the pad,
is about 50 by 30 feet. It is possibly used as an
entry to facilities beneath the pad and ma}' also
be a propellant servicing point. :~ probable
cable scar runs from this revetment past t}~e
control bunker to a vehicle bunker (Item 6). A
cable runs from this revetment to anoti~er re-
vetment (Item -i). This second revetment;
~rhich contains a possible generator, is 50 by
1~ feet, is 300 feet northeast of the launch plat-
form, and is served by an extension of the
eastern loop road. The third revetment (Item 51
is east of the pad and also measures 50 b}' 15
feet. Immediately south of this revetment is a
semiburied tank (Item 101.
Items 6, 7, and B--Vehicle Bunkers. These
three drive-in bunkers, which are earth covered,
have wide vehicle-entry ramps and probably can
hold two vehicles abreast. One bunker (Item 6)
is about -f0 feet west of and oriented toward the
control bunker. Its covered portion is 25 by 15
feet and its ramp is 30 by 25 feet. The other
two vehicle bunkers (Items 7 and' 8) are oriented
toward and about -100 feet north of the launch
pad ~;~vithin the extension of the original fenced
area). The covered portion of the larger bunker
(Item 7) is 35 by 30 feet and the ramp is 3~ feet
lone. The covered portion of the smaller bunker
(Item 8) is 20 by i5 feet and the ramp is 25 feet
long. Unimproved roads serve the three bunkers.
Item 9--Building. This gable-roofed build-
ing, 50 by 20 feet, is just off the loop road and
250 feet west of the launch point. The building
has a dormer facing the launch pad.
Item 10--Tank. This semiburied, earth-
mounded tank is approximately 25 feet in
diameter .
_ Item 11--Earthen Revetment. This large
earthen revetment, L?-shaped with inside meas-
urements of approximately 50 by -10 feet, is near
the southwest fence. It is oriented with its open
 end away from the pads and contains unidentified
equipment .
Item 12--Earthen Bunker.:' 20-font-square
earthen bunker is SO feet southeast of the l'-
shaped revetment (Item 11). The entrance is on
the west side. Evidence of much personnel
traffic between the bunker and the U-shaped re-
vetment appeared on the-coverage.
Item 13--Building. A single-story gable-
roofed building, 65 by 50 feet, is adjacent to the
security building (Item 14). This building may
be an administration or general utility building
for the launch area.
Item 14--Security Building. This building,
adjacent to the gate at the main access road, is
40 by 35 feet and has a 15-font-square extension
facing the road. This arrangement of buildings
(Items 13 and 14) is typical of the security ar-
rangement at most of the launch sites throughout
the rangehead.
Item 15--Building. Small gable-roofed
building with an eastward extension. It is located
25X1 D immediately outside the fenced area and is^
Between four field troop-
training sites and a possible fifth (Figure 4)
were constructed immediately north of the launch
site. These sites are positioned along anorth-
south line that extends over a distance of ap-
proximate!-y 1.2 nm. The sites were inactive at
the time of the~hotography but the entire
area between them and the entrance tothe launch
site was heavily scarred by vehicular traffic.
Although onl}~ two of the sites are similar in
layout and facilities, together they resemble the
training sites at Launch Area ?~ ofLaunchCom-
plex A. Detailed descriptions of the sites follow.
Site 1. This site includes four vehicle re-
vetments and a probable graded launch point. In
contrast to the other sites, the probable launch
point is somewhat distant from the revetments,
being approximately 700 feet from the nearest
one.
Sites 2 and 3. Each of these two sites con-
tains a launch point, five vehicle revetments, a
probable cable scar, and a personnel trench.
The distance bet~~een the two launch points is
2,300 feet. e
Site 4. This site contains a launch point, six
vehicle revetments, a personnel trench, and two
probable cable scars. It differs from Sites 2
and 3 in that there are only four vehicle re-
vetments near the launch point; the -other two
revetments are 720 feet. north of the launch
point.
Site 5. This site, consisting of only two
revetments, is considered as apossibletraining
site, since the revetments appear not to be re-
lated to any of the other sites, and there is no
launch point.
Launch area 2C (-~8-35-5-1~ 46-17--10E),
25X1 D under construction in is lo-
cated at the terminus of an all-~veat er road,
25X1 D ne~v since-runningeast from the Operations
Control Center (Figures 5 and 6). It is a rec-
tangular single-fenced area, 1,700 by 1,200 feet,
covering about -17 acres. There was no evidence
in - that this launch area would be con-
structed. The area, which is centered between
Launch Areas 1C and 3C, about 4,150 feet from
each, includes two nearly identical launch sites,
arbitrarily designated 2C-1 and 2C-2, and
i
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 SECRET
}
i
I
N
DITGH ,
EXCAVATION
DRAINAGE
DITCH
2 ?:-te
a.',.
'
?
I I
I
..
3
I
I I
I I
I
I
I
I I
GRADED ~
j I~~EARTH
1
STRIP -
PROBABLE
j I
I
ROAD
I
9
EXTENSION
~ I
'-~
~
- - I-'---,,, 9
~~ "I~~~JI ~ ^
I
~ ~.
- - - - -~ -- -- - - -
- - -- ~
4 =
a
~
~ I
--------~
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~10
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~ ~ 12
---------
~ I
I
1^d
~-POSSIBLE CONSTRUCTION
GROUND I
SCAR\
I
I I
I-~
~
MATERIALS
~ li
~ ~
x
~,
I
0 13
~
i
DITCH
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i
.. la
6
5
Launch area 2C
}
DITCH
EXCAVATION
~
DI
H
Road
Fence
fi
---- Probable waterline
i QQ, O 100 2Q0
300
FEET (A PPROXIMATEI
25X1 C
 t
t
ings.
In physical aspect the launch sites differ
radically from those at the other SS\1 launch
complexes. Tw?o large hexagonal launch pads
and tw?o seven-ba}? vehicle bur.lcers are the out-
standing features. I~4ost of the facilities were
50 to 75 percent complete at the time of the
-photography, and the launch area probably
should have been operational by the summer
A new probable waterline, under construc-
tion, paralleling the road to the launch area,
could be part of an entirely new waterline
serving the complex.
The road which serves the launch area
enters from the west and forms a T near the
center. From this point the road extends north
and south and 'loops to provide access to the
launch pads. ~'1'here the road tees, the northwest
and northeast corners form right angles while
at the opposite corners there are wide-radius
turns. However, it is believed that on cofi~pletion
of the waterline all corners will also be pro-
vided with wide-radius turns and that the en-
trance road will be extended to join the graded
earth strip that connects the two sites. At the
time of the photography, the loop service road
did not appear paved. The tw?o launch sites are
in slightly var}ping stages of construction, are
about 850 feet apart from center to center, and
are connected by a graded earth strip -f5 feet
wide .
t
t
Considerable construction activity is evident on
the pad. :~ ditch excavation, possibly for cable
lines, leads from the center of tl~e pad to the
third bay from the south, of the seven-bay vehicle
bunker. The ditch excavation is approximately
15 feet across at ground level, but the depth
and the width at the base cannot be determined
because of shadow. Near the center of the pad
and within the excavation is a square hollow
object about 10 feet on aside. The top of this
object is flush with or slightly above ground
level. Much of the construction in the center
of the pad may be for a firing table or platform
or for servicing erection apparatus. .
Item 2--\lultiple-Bay Vehicle Bunker. This
bunker, 1-10 feet long and 30 feet wide, abuts the
western edge of the~aunch pad. It has seven
bays, each about 30 b}? 20 feet. It is assumed
that eventually the bunker will be covered, but at
the time of the photography the top or roof had
not been started. A ramp approximatel}~ 120 feet
long provides access to the bunker from the
service road. -
Item 3--'l'ater Pipeline Under Construction.
:fit the time of the photograph}~, the pipe was in
position in an open ditch leading from t11e south-
east corner of the vehicle bunker and terminating
200 feet south. A probable counterpart to this
line. extends from the northeast corner of the
vehicle bunker (Item 6) at Launch Site 2C-2. If
these- lines were extended, they would connect
and form a T with the probable waterline entering
the launch area from the west, if it, too, were
extended.
Item -1--Construction :activity. This area of
construction activity is marked by a short
angular ditch and a small earth mound. The
activity may be related to either w?aterorpo~ver
facilities. :11so, this area would be an excellent
location for a control bunker, since it is between
and almost equidistant from the tw?o launch sites.
E RET
25X1 C
This site, in the northern half of the launch
area, contains the following items (keyed to
Figure 6):
Item 1--Launch Pad. The launchpad, which
had a packed-earth surface at the time of the
photography, measures 270 by 185 feet overall.
 25X1 C
This site, in the southern half of the area
and a near twin to Site 2C- 1, contains the
following items (keyed to Figure 6):
Item S--Launch Pad. This pad is quite
similar to the one at Site 2C-1 (Item 1). Its
width is the same, 185 feet, but its overall
length is 340 feet. The pad is in tl~e midstage
of construction. Near the pad center is a 60-
foot-square excavation. Leading from the ex-
cavation is a ditch excavation approximately 20
feet across at ground level. The depth and the
width at the bottom cannot be determined because
of shadow. The ditch excavation leads to the
third bay from the south, of the vehicle bunker.
Item 6--Multiple-Bav Vehicle Bunker. This
bunker is similar to the one at Site 2C-1 (Item
2). A ground scar leads from the northeast
corner of the bunker toward the water pipeline
under construction at Site 2C-1 (Item 3).
Item 7--Two Circular Excavatiort~. These
two excavations, 30 feetOin diameter, were under
construction in - In addition, a number of 25X1 D~
unidentified vehicles 'pieces of equipment were
observed throughout the launch area.
SUPPORT FACILITIES
The support facilities for the launch area
were in varying stages of construction when pho-
tographed. These items, all near the entrance
to the area, include two buildings (Item 8) 70 by
35 feet, a building 20 by 15 feet (Item 9), a
security building (Item 10) ~0 by 35 feet, and a
small building nearby; a building (Item 11) 40
by 35 feet; a building (Item 12) 35 by 20 feet and
about t~vo and a half stories, and an area of
acti~~ity containing a possible standpipe or tank
under construction (Item 13) 10 feet in diameter
and an isolated circular excavation 10 feet in
diameter (Item 14) enclosed by a low parapet.
Outside the security fence south of the access
road is a stack of possible construction
materials.
Launch Area 3C (48-34-58N 46-17-40E),
located at the terminus of an all-weather road
which leads southeast from the Operations Con-
trol Center, contains a double-fenced launch
site, a dumbbell configuration, and two field
troop-training sites, with all facilities inter-
related (Figures 7 and 8). All facilities were
25X1 D present in_except one of the troop-training
sites, and generally the area was very active.
25X1D A missile-ong and 5 feet in diameter
in a vertical position was being readied for
25X1 D firing at the launch site. On -photography
no activity was observed. The launch area, as
defined by fencelines and vehicle tracks, en-
compasses about 125 acres overall and is gen-
erally oriented northeast-southwest.
Launch area 3C has many of the same
features as Launch Area 1C. It is possible that
they were constructed about the same time and
are being expanded as the need arises.
The launch site measures 1,200 by 8-10 feet
overall and encompasses about 23 acres. Se-
curity provisions include a 35-foot-wide fire-
break, two fences, four guard towers, and a
security building. The entrance is in the north-
west corner where the main access road enters
the -launch area. The major features are a
r
T
25X1 C
 i
25X1 D the- site between the photograph}?.
The site includes man}~ facilities similar
t
and measures about 1S5 feet on each side. It
appears slightly raised, has sloping sides, and is
of concrete construction. :\s with the launch
pad at Launch Area 1C, access is by a 20-foot-
wide concrete loop road