PRAHA AIRFRAME PLANT VODOCHODY LETOV

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T01819A000100970001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 14, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: July 1, 1979
• Content Type: REPORT

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Top Secret
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
BASIC
I MAGERY
INTERPRETATION
REPORT
PRAHA AIRFRAME PLANT VODOCHODY
LETOV (S)
STRATEGIC WEAPONS INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
JULY 1979
Top Secret
25X1
Copy 49 25X1
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Ton Secret RUFF
Praha Airframe Plant Vodochody Letov
UTM COORDINATES
NA
GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES
50-13-18N 014-24-09E
DMA. USATC, Series 200, Sheet 0231-15, scale 1:200,000
NEGATION DATE (If required)
NA
ABSTRACT
1. (TSR) This report provides an initial NPIC basic description of Praha Airframe Plant
Vodochody Letov, Czechoslovakia, and substantially satisfies the basic reporting requirement for
this target. On the date of the latest imagery used in this report, the plant
consisted of 102 buildings and structures (72 of which are considered significant) and contained
116,230 square meters of usable floorspace.
2. (S/WNINTEL) This report includes a basic description of Praha Airframe Plant Vodo-
chody Letov, a discussion of chronological developments, and a summary of production, assembly,
repair, and aircraft modification activities at the plant. This report also contains a location map,
two annotated photographs, a table of mensural and chronological data, and a chart of activity at
the plant and aircraft observations.
3. (S/WNINTEL) Klecany/Vodochody Airfield, the test and flyaway field for the plant, is
also described in this report.
INTRODUCTION
4. (S/WNINTEL) Praha Airframe Plant Vodochody Letov, Czechoslovakia (Figure 1), has
an area of approximately 49 hectares and is 8.3 nautical miles northwest of the city of Praha
(Prague), on the north side of Klecany/Vodochody Airfield It is on relatively flat 25X1
terrain in primarily agricultural surroundings. Future expansion could take place in all directions
with the exception of south.
5. (S/WNINTEL) The plant (Figure 2) is secured by a 3-to-5-meter-high wall, except where
the outer face of a building becomes part of the plant perimeter. Access into the plant is restricted
to one rail and seven vehicle/pedestrian entrances. Klecany/Vodochody Airfield (Figure 2), the
test and flyaway field for the plant, is secured by a fence, except where it shares security with the
plant.
BASIC DESCRIPTION
6. (TSR) Praha Airframe Plant Vodochody Letov contains 102 buildings and structures of
which 72 are considered significant. Major structures (Figure 3) include four administration build-
ings (items 51, 52, 67, and 72, Table 1), two engineering buildings (items 54 and 63), a final
assembly building (item 35), an assembly building (item 48), and a subassembly building (item
11). Other significant buildings/structures include a checkout/paint hangar, a repair hangar, an
aircraft weapons ballistics test building, an open-air engine test facility (with an associated
control building and pumphouse), an engine run-up building, seven shop buildings, a shop/main-
tenance building, a steam/heating plant, a carpentry shop, a rail service/maintenance building,
three transshipment buildings, two vehicle storage buildings, an apprentice school' (items 17
through 21), a POL storage facility, a water storage facility, a reservoir, 33 storage buildings, and
a support building.
7. (TSR) As of the information cutoff date for this report, the plant 25X1
contained approximately 116,230 square meters of usable floorspace. A functional breakdown of
this floorspace is presented below.
Function Floorspace
(sq m)
Administration/engineering 26,764
Fabrication/assembly/repair 45,061
Direct support 19,283
General support/storage 25,122
Total floorspace 116,230
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8. (TSR) Klecany/Vodochody Airfield (Figure 2) consists of a 2,500- by 52-meter, east-
southeast/west-northwest, serviceable concrete runway; a parallel concrete taxiway; a concrete
end-connecting link; a concrete crossover link; two concrete parking aprons; a concrete loop
turnaround; a compass rose (Figure 3); a control tower; and extensive electronic equipment.
9. (TSR) Electronics equipment observed at the airfield on included OR-2
and RP-2 ground-control approach (GCA) radars, a TALL PATH glidescope transmitter, a THIN
PATH localizer, HAY-series instrument landing system (ILS), air-to-ground communications,
and an inner marker beacon.
Chronological Development
10. (S/WNINTEL) The earliest usable imagery of Praha Airframe Plant Vodochody Letov
was aircraft (TALENT) photography of Because of the poor image quality, however, 25X1
only two buildings could be discerned, the final assembly building (item 35) and the repair hangar
(item 68). On the date of the first usable satellite coverage of Vodochody, the plant 25X1
contained 48 buildings and structures with a combined usable floorspace of 99,705 square meters.
These buildings and structures included three administration buildings (items 51, 67, and 72), an
engineering building (item 63), the final assembly building (item 35), the assembly building (item
48), and the subassembly building (item 11).
11. (S/WNINTEL) Construction between (Figure 3) resulted 25X1
in a net increase of 12,171 square meters, bringing the total floorspace to 111,876 square meters.
Fifty buildings were constructed during this period, including 20 which are considered significant;
of these significant buildings, none were directly related to production activity. Other construc-
tion included the addition of an engineering section (item 63b) and a storage section (item 32b).
14'30'
KRALUPY
NAD
V LTAVOU
KLECANY
~VODOCHODY
PRAGUE
RUZYNE
AIRFIELD
KOSTELEC
NAD LABEM
PRAGUE/LETNANY
AIRFIELD /
VODOCHODY LETOV
C
PRAHA
(PRAGUE)
BRANDYS
NAD LABEM
AIRFIELD
PRAGUE/KBELY
/ AIRFIELD
I / / ( AIRFIELD
1
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12. (TSR) Construction between) (resulted in a net increase 25X1
of 4,354 square meters of floorspace, bringing the total to the current 116,230 square meters. Four
buildings were constructed during this period: an administration building (item 52), an engineer-
ing building (item 54), and two storage buildings (items 12 and 53). Additionally, three storage
building sections (items 34b, 58a, and 66a) were added and the roofs of five buildings (items 4, 11,
25, 36, and 39) were refurbished.
Plant Activity*
extensive use
13. (S/WNINTEL) Prior to Vodochody was involved in the licensed prod- 25X1
uction of MiG-15 (FAGOT) and MiG-17 (FRESCO) aircraft (Figure 4). Production of the FAGOT
began in early 1954 and ended in early 1959. FRESCO production began in early 1960. and ended
in early 1963.2 The number of FAGOT and FRESCO aircraft produced at Vodochody is unknown;
one FAGOT and one FRESCO were seen at the plant on long after production had 25X1
ceased.
14. (TSR) Production of the L-29 Delfin (MAYA), a twin-seat primary jet-flight trainer,
probably began in early 19642 and as many as 20 MAYAs per month may have been produced at
Vodochody through 1972.' MAYA production slackened between 1973 and 1975; by late 1975 the
program had terminated.' However, observations of MAYA aircraft at the plant (Figure 4) since
late 1975 suggest that some refit/repair activity may be taking place. The MAYA, which serves as
the basic jet trainer for all Warsaw Pact countries except Poland,' was also produced at Kunovice
Airframe Plant By mid-1976, the two plants may have produced as many as 25X1
3,840 MAYAs.3
15. (S/WNINTEL) Two other MAYA versions were produced in a limited quantity; a single-
seat aerobatic model (designated L-29A Akrobat), and a single-seat reconnaissance/counter-insur-
gency model with nose cameras and underwing weapons stores (designated L-29R). One L-29A
was observed at the plant on The L-29R, which has been exported to Iraq and 25X1
possibly other Middle East countries,' has not been identified at the plant because of the lack of
high-resolution coverage.
16. (TSR) In early 1970 Praha Airframe Plant Vodochody Letov began production of the L-
39 ALBATROS, a twin-seat jet-flight trainer, which was designed and built to meet criteria and
specifications provided by Czechoslovakia's best customer, the Soviet Union.' Thus, the L-39 was
designed to function as both a primary/advanced flight trainer (to replace some MAYAs in the
Soviet inventory) and as a light attack aircraft. Soviet specifications called for a flight envelope
consisting of a speed capability of 0.8 mach and gravity loads of 7.0 positive and 3.5 negative.'
The gravity goals were evidently surpassed, however, since current estimates suggest that loads of
8.0 positive and 4.0 negative are possible.' L-39 observations at the plant (Figure 4) suggest that
full-series production of this aircraft had begun by early 1973. As many as 920 L-39s may have
been produced by mid-1978.3 The light attack version of the L-39, probably designated the L-
39D,4 which features underwing pylon-mounted machine guns and rocket launchers, has probably
been exported to several Third World countries' (as well as the Soviet Union) but has never been
photographically confirmed at the plant, because of limited high-resolution coverage.
17. (TSR) Vodochody has also produced, and may still be producing, an unidentified direc-
tional communications antenna,' telescopic antenna masts, casings for radio sets, and MiG-21
(FISHBED) external fuel tanks.' The latter have been observed at the plant on several occasions
in the vicinity of a storage building (item 13, Figure 3) in the south-central plant area.
Aircraft Assembly
18. (TSR) Licensed assembly of the Soviet MiG-21 (FISHBED) and Su-7 (FITTER) proba-
bly began at Vodochody in late 1968 and ended by late 1973.'' A small number of FISHBEDs
were probably also repaired between 1966 and 1968.1 FISHBEDs were first observed at the plant
on (Figure 4), and a total of seven had been seen by The first 25X1
FITTER aircraft was observed at the plant on a total of 25X1
eight had been seen.
Aircraft Repair and Modification
19. (S/WNINTEL) The repair of Soviet-built MiG-19 (FARMER) aircraft probably began
at the plant by early 19669 and ended by mid-1971. The Czechoslovakian Air Force (CAF) requires
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Table 7. Structures, Dimensions, and Construction Chronology, Praha Airframe Plant Vodochody Letov
(Items keyed to Figure 3)
This fable m its entirety rs class,f,ed TOP SECRET RUFF
Tolal Date
Total Date
Item Description
Dimensions' Floorspace Observed
Remarks
Item Description
Dimensions' Floorspace Observed
Remarks
Intl Isq m) Complete
In-) Isq ml Complete
W H
1 Aucra(t weapons ballistics
36 Shop bldg
Roof refurbished by0
test bldg
a Shop sect
a Weapons firing sect
Firing bay in center
b Engr sect
r sect
b En
37 Shop bldg
20 roof vents, open storage area
g
& overhead traveling crane
c Engr sect
immediately W
d Inner target sect
e Monitoring sect
38 Spt bldg
f Doter target sect
39 Shop bldg
3 roof monitors added
g Monrtonng sect
between
h Spt sect
i Stor sect
40 Stor bldg
2 Pumphouse
Mounded POL tank immediately
41 Shop bldg
NE supports engine test area
42 Stor bldg
First observed ucon n
3 Control bldg
Supports engine test area with
43 Checkout paint hangar
2 open-art test stands
a Paint sect
4 Stor bldg
Roof refurbished between
h Mawr sect
c Checkout sect
5 Stor bldg
d Star sect
6 Star bldg
44 Star bldg
PUG
7 Star bldg
45 Stor bldg
8 Stor bldg
In separately secured open storage
46 Pumphouse
Mounded water tank immebr
area with item 9
ately E
9 Star bldg
In separately secured open storage
47 Star bldg
area with rtem 8
48 Assembly bldg
10 Pumphouse
In separately secured storage area
a Assembly sect
Separately fence -secured open
containing an unknown number
storage area immediately W
of burred POL tanks
b Spt sect
11 Subassembly bldg
49 Star bldg
Supports coal yard
a Subassembly sect
Roof monitors on S half of bldg
50 Steam/heat plant
Coal yard with overhead traveling
refurbished between n
crane immediately W
0 those on N hall
51 Admin bldg
refurbished between
a Mess sect
b Admin sect
2 stories
b Assembly sect
c Spt sect
c Shop sect
4 exhaust stacks on N side
52 Admin bldg
3 stories. List observed ucon
d Engr sect
2 stones
0
e Admm sect
2 stories
53 Star bldg
1 En
r sect
2 stories
54 Engr bldg
2 stones first observed ucon
g
3
replaced mounded
g Admm sect
stones
'
12 Star bldg
First observed ucon n
water tank
open sided
55 Stor bldg
First observed ucon
t 3 Stor bldg
Numerous acft wing tanks
replaced small shed'
observed near bldg
56 Stor bldg
14 War bldg
Fencesecured open storage
57 Stor bldg
area on W side
58 Star bldg
15 Stor bldg
a Star sect
16 Star bldg
b Star sect
17 Classroom bldg
Part of apprentice school
59 Stor bldg
18 Workshop
Part of apprentice school'
60 Shoprmamt bldg
19 Starlspt bldg
Pert of apprentice school,
a Mant sect
connected by covered passage-
b Shop sect
way to rtem 20
c Maint sect
20 Workshop
Pan of apprentice school,
6t Rail service ma or bldg
Rad through
connected by covered passage
62 Star bldg
way to rtem 19
63 Engr bldg
2t Workshop
Part of apprentice school
a Engr sect
22 Star bldg
Open storage area immediately 5
b Engr sect
Includes small 2-story
a Spt sect
subsection
b Star sect
64 Star bldg
23 Transshipment bldg
Ra I cad mg dock immediately E
65 Star bldg
In separately wall secured storage
24 Transshipment bldg
Open storage area immediately W
area which also contains 27
25 Transshipment bldg
First observed ucon
small huts
roof refurbished between
66 Stor bldg
0
a Ste sect
26 Star bldg
First observed a000
b Stor sect
supports separately fence-
67 Admm bldg
secured open storage area
a Admin sect
2 stories
immediately W
b Veh star sect
27 Carpentry shop
c Firehouse sect
Part 4 stories
28 Shop bldg
4 roof vents
68 Repair hangar
29 Shop bldg
a Repair sect
10 hangar bays with alternate
control tower 190 square meters)
30 Shop bldg
31 Stor bldg
b Ops sect
a Spt sect
c Maint sect
b Stor sect
69 Engine run-up bldg
2 run-up hays, each with blow
32 Stor bldg
out panel on roof
e Star sect
70 Vehicle stor bldg
L-shaped
b Smr sect
Floorspace includes
71 Vehicle stor bldg
C-shaped
m annex
72 Admm bldg
33 Stor bldg
a Admin sect
4 stories
34 Star bldg
b Security sect
Drive-through entrance
a Star sect
Unnumbered bldgs (30)
Small spt bldgs
b Star sect
35 Final assembly bldg
a Final assembly sect
Height at highest point
b Engr sect
2 stones
c Engr sect
2 slorres
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FAGOT(MIG-15)
1
FRESCO 5 18 15? 18 6 3 1 1 1
(MIG-17)
MAYA (L-29)
2 1 7 8 4 10
L-79
3FIS
HBED (MIG-21) 3 1
FITTER (SU-7) 1 6 1
FARMER (MIG-19) 7
1
CRATE (IL-14) 1 ~1 F1_ 2 2
1
Unid Photo recon
Modification Modification
1955 1960 1965 1970 1975
^ Period of indicated activity by category and aircraft type 2,5,8,9
-Includes one L-29A Akrobat
Note: Numbers Represent Photographic Sightings of Aircraft
1979
maintenance of FARMER aircraft after every 400 hours of flying time. FARMER maintenance
includes the changing of engines, extensive airframe stress tests, electronics equipment inspection
and renovation, and repainting of the fuselage.' Seven FARMER aircraft were first observed at
the plant on and one was seen on
20. (S/WNINTEL) On two separate occasions Vodochody was involved in the modification
of IL-14 (CRATE) aircraft of the CAF.2,6 At the end of 1966, approximately 15 CRATE aircraft
were delivered to the plant. Passenger seats were removed, and unknown modifications were made
in the cabin. After modification, these aircraft featured a small bubble on the fuselage, directly
beneath the cabin.2 In February 1969, three CRATE aircraft were modified by the addition of a
photo reconnaissance package mounted in the nose. These three CRATE aircraft were evidently
intended for civilian use within Czechoslovakia' (probably terrain mapping). CRATE aircraft
have been observed at the plant on several occasions, but no external modifications were discerni-
ble.
was used in the preparation of this report. Earlier German World War II (GX) and US TALENT
photography was reviewed but not used due to unacceptable imagery quality.
DMA. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet 0231-15, scale 1:200,000 (UNCLASSIFIED)
DOCUMENTS
1. DOD. IIR-1-521-0439-73, Praha Airframe Plant Vodochody Letou, 13 Sep 73 (CONFIDENTIAL)
2. DOD. IIR-2-218-3972-69, Vodochody Aircraft Plant, 22 Aug 69 (CONFIDENTIAL
3. DIA.
4. Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1973-74 (UNCLASSIFIED)
5. CIA. IIR-00-B-321/03770/78, L-39 Aircraft Development/Specifications/L-29 Production/Orga.nizational Informa-
tion, 12 Apr 78 (CONFIDENTIAL
6. Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1974-75 (UNCLASSIFIED)
7. DIA. RDA-11 0050/72, Praha Airframe Plant Vodochody/Letov, Jun 72 (TOP SECRET
8. DOD. IIR-1-521-1023-70, Aircraft Plant in Vodochody, 15 Apr 70 (CONFIDENTIAL
9. CIA. IIR-CS-K-311/11375-69, Aircraft Inspection at the Letov Airframe Plant at Vodochody, 23 Dec 69 (CONFI-
DENTIAL)
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Project 290009DJ
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to
Pact Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
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