NEW STEAM LAUNCH CATAPULT FACILITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT SAKI AIRFIELD, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T01819A000100740001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 19, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: August 1, 1979
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19: CIA-RDP79T01819A000100740001-3
Top Secret
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Imagery analysis report
Now Steam Launch Catapult
Facility Under Construction
At Saki Airfield, USSR
Top Secret
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IAR-AO13/79 25X1
AUGUST 1979
copy 16 8
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19: CIA-RDP79T01819A000100740001-3
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19: CIA-RDP79T01819A000100740001-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19: CIA-RDP79T01819A000100740001-3
Top Secret RUFF
NEW STEAM LAUNCH CATAPULT FACILITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT
SAKI AIRFIELD, USSRF__1
struction at Saki Airfield USSR,
launch catapult facility was observed adjacent to the %\k- t end
of the main taxiway/parking apron at this airfield. The facility, which has been under construction
since July 1977, includes a large central excavation, a small excavation sshich is linked to the larger
excavation by a trough-like structure, a similar trough-like structure extending sscst from the large
excavation, a runway under construction, and a dual, probable steam line s hieh is parallel to the
facility and the runway. The runway, which is 473 by 23 meters, and both trou1_1h-litre stri.jetures
are on the same linear axis as the major taxiway/parking apron at Saki Airfield. In addition, a
new, probable arresting barrier was observed under construction at the southssest end of the
runway.
2. = The large excavation is 105 meters along the east-west axis and 100 meters ;ib ng the
north-south axis. The small excavation is 43 meters along the cast-ssest axis and 52 meters along the
north-south axis. The east trough-like structure which links the two excavations is 88 meters lortg and 24
meters wide. The west trough-like structure is 65 meters long and 24 meters vide. I he du;rl, prohahle
steamlinc extends approximately 1,200 meters west of the facility to a point near the shore of the Black
Sea. Expansion joints were observed approximately every 170 meters along the steamline.
3. The new steam launch catapult facility at Saki -\irficld Wars he similar in
operation to the steam launch catapult facility at the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent Riser, Marv-
land (Figure 2). This facility is used primarily for the structural testing of all carrier-based aircraft as
well as for the preparation of airplane catapult compatability studies for the US Nas-.
4. Saki Airfield is 23 nautical miles west-northwest of Simferopol on the Black Sea
coastal area. It supports flight operations for the FORGER training unit and the 131 IN1)1 R
reconnaissance regiment subordinate to Soviet Naval Aviation.
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Top Secret
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