INCREASED LEVELS OF SS-20 FIELD TRAINING, NOVOSIBIRSK USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T01184A000200350001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 22, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 1, 1979
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
Top Secret
PHOTOGRAPHIC
I NTERPRETATION
REPORT
INCREASED LEVELS OF SS-20
FIELD TRAINING, NOVOSIBIRSK
USSR (TSR)
Top Secret
25X1
PI R-031 /79 25X1
MAY 1979
Copy 13 3
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79T01184A000200350001-0
Top Secret RUFF UMBRA
INCREASED LEVELS OF SS-20 FIELD TRAINING
NOVOSIBIRSK, USSR (TSR)
1. (TSR) A large, SS-20 mobile intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), field-training
exercise probably involving a regimental unit was observed near the Novosibirsk IRBM Rail-to-
Road Transfer Point USSR, on (Figure 25X1
1). More mobile missile equipment and troop activity were observed on this date than during four
previous SS-20 field-training exercises. The exercise took place approximately 1.0 to 1.5 nautical
miles (nm) north and northwest of the Novosibirsk RTP and 5.0 nm. from Novosibirsk Mobile
25X1
IRBM Base 1 . Activity was seen at six areas, including three areas containing
SS-20 launch-related equipment and three separate command and control and support areas
(Figure 2). A total of 28 launch-related, net-covered vehicles were present, including nine probable
SS-20 transporter-erector-launchers (TELs), and at least 30 support vehicles. A seventh area, an
additional support area, is 3 nm east of the training area. The results of mensuration suggest that
the TELs were not carrying missile canisters. Although field deployment was complete and cam-
ouflage was in place when the facility was imaged, some troop activity and movement of various
support vehicles were observed.
2. (TSRU) At each area, the mobile missile equipment was aligned along the treeline at the
edge of large agricultural clearings. This is the same alignment pattern seen at previous SS-20
field-training exercises in the Novosibirsk area since July 1978.'
However, tentative identi-
25X1
25X1
fications of all launch-related vehicles were made by their relative positions in the SS-20 launch
line.2 The three areas containing launch-related equipment were characterized by the presence of
three probable SS-20 TELs in each SS-20 launch line. This marked. the first deployed instance of
three TELs in a launch line. The nine TELs correspond to nine single-bay garages at a mobile
IRBM support base and are the best indication of a regimental training exercise.
3. (TSR) Each area occupied by launch-related equipment (Figures 3, 4, and 5) contained
three probable SS-20 TELs, a probable MAZ-543 missile support vehicle (MSV), a probable0 25X1
meter van truck with an erected 14-meter antenna, unidentified equipment, and two large tents.
In addition, one probable BTR-60PU command and control vehicle was observed at launch line 2
(Figure 4), and one bus was seen near launch lines 1 and 3 (Figures 3 and 5). Three additional
areas were also occupied by support elements. A field-deployed communications unit (Figure 6)
consisted of three probable MAZ-543 MSVs, one free-standing antenna, two probable
van trucks, a probable TWIN EAR troposcatter truck, and a probable Ural-375 support van. A
main support and bivouac area (Figure 7), observed in a heavily wooded area, contained nine
small personnel tents; three larger, probable mess/administration tents; one probable vehicle
.'L ~ I __~ `- _7~-Z
27, v ~X 83?00' NAUTICAL MILES 83?1 5' ,
Top Secret
25X1
25X1
25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79T01184A000200350001-0
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79T01184A000200350001-0
Top Secret RUFF UMBRA
parking tent; two canvas-covered, probable supply trailers; and at least three small cargo trucks.
A separately deployed engineer unit near launch line 2 (Figure 4) consisted of nine vehicles (two
not on photograph) and three tents. Equipment observed for snow removal and technical support
included an MDK-2 ditching machine, an AT-T prime mover, one E-305V backhoe, and six
unidentified vehicles. A road grader was clearing snow from the main roadway and several small
vehicles were moving between the occupied areas. The six areas are 400 to 600 meters apart.
4. (TSR) A second main support area (Figure 8) is approximately 3 nm east of the training
area and 2 nm east of Novosibirsk RTP. This area contained five probable, canvas-covered supply
trailers; two long, canvas-covered, drive-through revetments; and approximately 30 to 35 canvas-
covered vehicles/objects. A road grader, one bus, and several small vehicles were observed moving
about in the area. Approximately 25 troops were present in one group and several defense/security
positions were at the perimeter of the area.
5. (TSR) Approximately 60 vehicles were observed at Novosibirsk, including the vehicle
count for the SS-20 launch lines, deployed communications, and both support areas and all the
vehicles observed traveling between occupied areas. Additional support vehicles may have been
under canvas at the second support area. The support and bivouac area supported approximately
90 to 108 troops, using the standard 10-to-12-man capacity for each of the nine personnel tents
observed. These totals represent a somewhat lower number of vehicles present and also a lower biv-
ouac capability than expected for regimental operations. Prior estimates3 of regimental strength
levels projected as many as 180 total vehicles, not including ancillary, nondirect-support vehicles.
The amount of large-vehicle garage space available at SS-20 mobile IRBM support bases also
indicates that as many as 56 large vehicles could be associated with a regiment. Although this
exercise was the largest in scale observed to date, it may have represented a regiment-sized unit at
reduced strength. It is suspected that the training area at Novosibirsk is larger than the area
imaged ono The distance of 3.0 to 3.5 nm between the second main support area and the 25X1
mobile missile training area may suggest the involvement of an additional SS-20 field deployed
unit several miles to the east of the occupied areas.
6. (TSR) The three areas occupied by SS-20 launch equipment on are the same 25X1
areas used for an earlier field-training exercise observed on imagery of on that date, 25X1
the support and bivouac area may have also been occupied, but heavy summer tree foliage and
oblique, low-resolution imagery precluded any possible identification of tents and equipment.
However, vehicle tracks were observed leading from the wooded area, a possible indication of
-3-
Top Secret
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79T01184A000200350001-0
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
Top Secret RUFF UMBRA
7. (TSR) This latest mobile missile activity, though larger in scale, is similar to previous
SS-20 field-training exercises observed at both Novosibirsk and Drovyanaya SSM Complex (BE
further analysis.
similar support activity. At least one of these areas was again occupied during a subsequent SS-20
field-training exercise observed on Heavy cloud cover on that date precluded 25X1
Prior coverage of the training areas at Novosibirsk on revealed no 25X1
equipment or activity. Subsequent was partially cloud covered; 25X1
however, none of the observed areas were occupied. The elapsed time of the exercise and the
deployment patterns are consistent with previously observed exercises.
25X1
25X1
-5-
Top Secret 25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
Iq
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
Top Secret RUFF UMBRA
(TSR) All available KEYHOLE imagery acquired through
of this report.
was used in the preparation 25X1
MAPS OR CHARTS
DMAAC. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet M0162-5HL, 6th ed, Aug 75, scale 1:200,000 (SECRET
Field Training at Novosibirsk, USSR (TSR), Aug 78 (TOP
2. NPIC.I PIR-047/78, Identification of Soviet SS-16/-20 Equipment by Location and Dispersal Pat-
terns (TSR), Dec 78 (TOP SECRET
3. CIA Intelligence Memorandum, The SS-X-20: Deployment Prospects and Strategic Implications,
Jun 76 (TOP SECRET
REQUIREMENT
Project 13008ONA
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are wel
Strategic Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
-8-
Top Secret
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1'
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0
Top Secret
Top Secret
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/22 : CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200350001-0