BACKFIRE B RADAR/ELECTRONICS MAINTENANCE/CHECKOUT AT AKHTUBINSK FLIGHT TEST CENTER, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05698A000300010042-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 16, 2011
• Sequence Number: 42
• Publication Date: June 14, 1977
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/17: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000300010042-8
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DISSEMINATION CONTROL ABBREVIATIONS
NOFORN- Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals
NOCONTRACT- Not Releasable to Contractors or
Contractor/ Consultants
PROPIN- Caution-Proprietary Information Involved
NFIBONLY- NFIB 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 2011/08/17: CIA-RDP78T05698A000300010042-8
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/17: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000300010042-8
National
Photographic
Interpretation
Center
14 JUNE 1977 25X1
IMAGERY INFORMATION REPORT
BACKFIRE B RADAR/ELECTRONICS MAINTENANCE/CHECKOUT
AT AKHTUBINSK FLIGHT TEST CENTER, USSR (S)
(S/WNINTEL) A BACKFIRE B aircraft undergoing radar/electronics
maintenance/checkout was observed at Akhtubinsk Flight Test Center, USSR,
at Akhtubinsk/Vladimirovka Area Airfield This airfield
serves as the auxiliary airfield for flight test operations conducted at
Akhtubinsk Flight Test Center.
(TSR) The lower portion of the nose radome had been removed and was
observed on the apron near the port wing of the BACKFIRE B. This ovate,
tapering raclnme Rection has an overall length
has an overall length
The tapering, bow-shape cavity of the radome section
(TSR) The refueling probe projected forward of the lead-
ing edge of the upper section of the nose radome. When the lower sect'
is reattached, it will effectively extend the nose position
At that time, the forward projection of the refueling probe beyond the
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(TSR) Another BACKFIRE B was parked on the starboard side of the
BACKFIRE B undergoing radar/electronics maintenance/checkout. The nose
radome on this second BACKFIRE B was intact. A definite chine-like effect,
observed around the nose radome, results from the fact that the lower
portion of the radome is slightly wider than the upper portion. The
refueling probe on the second BACKFIRE B projects orward of the 25X1
nose of the radome.
(S/WNINTEL) A third BACKFIRE B, observed at the airfield 25X1
48-17-35N 046-12-16E
also exhibited the chine-like effect aruuna e
` IIR-042/77
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Top Secret RUFF
(S/WNINTEL) BACKFIRE B and BACKFIRE A exhibiting a chine-like effect
around the nose radome were also observed at Ryazan/Dyagilevo Airfield
Long Range Aviation (LRA) training base.
(S/WNINTEL) A BLINDER B aircraft, a launch platform for the AS-4
(KITCHEN) missile, was parked adjacent to the two BACKFIRE B
The nose radome on the BLINDER B was the standard nose radome and
exhibited the same chine-like effect observed on the BACKFIRE B nose
(S/WNINTEL) Since BACKFIRE B and BLINDER B are used as KITCHEN
launch platforms and both carry the DOWNBEAT radar system, the nose radomes
on both aircraft should be similar in configuration. The appearance of a
similar radome on BACKFIRE A would indicate that this aircraft may also
be intended as a launch platform for KITCHEN. BACKFIRE may have been
equipped with this nose radome in the past, but it has not been readily
observed on prior imagery.
-2-
Top Secret IIR-042/77
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/17: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000300010042-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/17: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000300010042-8
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/17: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000300010042-8