SOVIET AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A001100060010-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 1, 2004
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: June 2, 1959
• Content Type: BRIEF

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NSC BRIEFING 2 June 1959
SOVIET AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION
I. Production of aircraft in USSR
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by continued very low level of activity in production of heavy
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bombers and probable phasing out of production of medium bombers,
1. This may be Soviet effort to maintain production capability
and to keep skilled labor force intact. It is possible this
capacity to be used to produce improved BISON or some 25X1
USAF review(s)
completed.
3. We estimate modified BISONs, about 12 of which now in
operational units, are capable of reaching most US targets
on two-way missions with one refueling.
D, BEAR turboprop heavy bomber is only Soviet bomber capable
of unrefueled two-way flights against most of United States,
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1. Production of BEAR believed to have ceased in late 1956
3, .DILT, USAF ,~s./iar,,u ac-09l' d,d twf"
or early 1957. ,44 U.-A/ /af c t`y /9's-S), 40-70 //0 V.-J'l0.4
2. Total production of BEAR estimated at about 50 to 60 aircraft,
E. BADGER jet medium bomber production believed virtually stopg&t~.'1
2. Total production of BADGERs to date is estimated about 1800
aircraft. V/T, ?5AF /god DAD.; S L 4m. .
II. Only large new Soviet bomber definitely known to be under development
is BOUNDER. This four-turbojet bomber was first observed in Moscowl
in August last year,
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B. BOUNDER potentially supersonic and may be intended as carrier
of air-to-surface missile.
1. It is also possible that BOUNDER will be developed with more
advanced propulsion system.
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2. Should USSR decide to produce this prototype in its present
configuration, it would probably be medium range bomber
comparable in range to BADGER rather than BISON or BEAR,
III, Soviet aviation research and development centers will continue to
work toward improved manned aircraft,
A. Whether or not new intercontinental bombers are developed to
point of operational use will depend on Soviet judgment as to
their effect on world balance of military force, in light of
Western capabilities and other available Soviet weapons system,
Intelligence community is preparing estimate which will
thoroughly review Soviet long-range bomber and missile capa-
bilities for strategic attack over next few years.
C. Considering recent trends, we now believe that for at least
next year or two, Soviet manned bomber capability against
continental United States will remain substantially unchanged,
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Approved For Release 2004/07/28 : CIA-RDP79R0089OA001100060010-8