BALAKLAVA MISSILE TEST CENTER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T01819A000101020001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 17, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 1, 1979
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/17: CIA-RDP79TO18
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basic Imagery Intsrprstatlan report
Balaklava Missile Test Center (S)
MISSILE RANGES: NAVAL LAUNCHED FACILITIES
USSR
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RCA-17/0002/7Q
SEPTEMBER ti2a Xa1
Copy 49
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SAC. USATC, Series 200, Sheet 0250-25, scale 1:200,000
NEGATION DATE f r, ciumd
NA
1. (TSR) This report describes activity at the Balaklava Missile Test ('enter, USSR, from
May 1978 through May 1979 and updates NPIC report 25X1
2. (TSR) During the reporting period the Golf V ballistic missile submar:.ne arrived at the
Balaklava Submarine Base and Ship Repair Yard ; the Soviets continued to 25X1
actively use the 29- by 15-meter popup barge, platform 8, in a popup test program: and work was
begun on either dismantlement or modification of the twin-tube barge, platform 5. Other activity
included the addition of electronics equipment to instrumentation sites 1 and 2 and new construe-.
tion at the missile handling and base support areas.
3. (U) This report contains a location map and three annotated photographs.
4. (TSRI The Balaklava Missile Test Center (MTC; Figures 1 and 2) consists of several
areas-a missile storage area; a liquid propellant service area; Balaklava Coastal Defense Test
Site Cruise Missile (CM) Tactical Short Range (TSR; a missile handling area; a 25X1
base support area; instrumentation sites 1, 2, and 3; a submerged launch test facility (operations
test area); and the popup barge mooring positions at the Balaklava Submarine Rase and Ship
Repair Yard.'
Road
~--~ Railroad
0 3
NAUTICAL MILES
3 3?3 0'
I
BALAKLAVA MISSILE
TEST CENTER
Top Secret
44?30'
BALAKLAVA
SUBMARINE BASE
\ AND SHIP REPAIR
YARD
BALAKLAVA
--- -,
.VP1C S-7433
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Missile-Related Activity
5. (TSR) The Golf V ballistic missile submarine (SSB; Figure 3), formerly designated the
402S, left Severodvinsk Shipyard 402 in August 1978 and arrived at the Balaklava
submarine base in October 1978. The Golf V, believed to be the flight test platform for the new
submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), was probably brought to Balaklava to supplement
stationary popup testing . The 29- by 15-meter popup barge, platform 8, is used to conduct
stationary popup testing while the Golf V is apparently used to test the effects of underwater motion
on missile ejection. Since its arrival, the submarine has usually been berthed at reporting position
18, along the quay and south of platform 8; however, its mooring position was changed on several
occasions, indicating active involvement in testing. (In May 1979 the submarine was seen in the
Black Sea just off the coast of the Balaklava MTC.) In November 1978 two sections of a work
platform were seen on the quay beside the submarine. They were approximate)
long and about0 in diameter. These dimensions are comparable to the dimensions of other
pieces of missile-related hardware associated with the new SLBM.z," The mooring position of
platform 8 was also changed several times during the past year, suggesting that it too was being
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actively used for popup testing. In August 1978 a floating crane (YD) was positioned adjacent to
platform 8. One of the missile tube doors on the barge was open, exposing a F____1(approxi-
mately) missile tube cover (Figure 4).
6. (TSR) Activity involving the old twin-tube SLBM popup barge, platform 5, has also been
observed. Platform 5 was used in the popup test program for the SS-NX-17 and possibly for the
SS-N-18 between 1973 and 1975." Since August 1978, the barge has changed considerably. As of[::
a tube, approximately in diameter, was all that still remained in the area of
the former twin-tube configuration of the barge (Figure 3). It cannot be determined whether the
barge is being modified or dismantled. The Soviets usually do not dismantle the barges at
Balaklava; however, they have modified them for other test programs.'
Instrumentation Sites
7. (TSR) In late 1977 a pedestal-mounted twin-element helix antenna was added to instru-
mentation site 1, and three van-mounted possible twin-element helix antennas and a van-
mounted SHIP WHEEL radar were added to instrumentation site 2. Additional security fences
were constructed around instrumentation site 2, and ground scarring was observed extending from
the control building toward the beach area. No significant activity was observed at instrumenta-
tion site 3.
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RCA-17/0002/79
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Construction Activity
8. (TSR) During November 1978, the training area within the base support area was resur-
faced and several items in the static display were removed. In May 1979 construction was started
on a new vehicle shed in the vehicle park. In the missile handling area, a trench was observed
between the handling area and a nearby security building. Three possible electronics vans were
observed near the security building in November 1978; by April 1979 they had been removed.
MAPS OR CHARTS
SAC. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet 0250-25, scale 1:200,000 (I'NCLASSIFIED)
DOCUMENTS
1. NPIC.P
NPIC.L
SECRET
ZCA-17/0005/78, Balahlaua Missile Test ('enter May 1977--May 1978 (S), Sep '78 (TOP
(TOP SECRET
Dimensions of New Soviet SLBM (7SR), Jai 71+ i1'OP SECRET
5. NPIC.~ I PIR-034/79, Indications of a Probable New or Modified Liquid-Propellant .SLBM ('rider
Deuelopm~'nt in the USSR (TSR), Apr 79 (TOP SECRET
Yard, 27 Nov 78 (SECRET
COMIREX R01
Project 2900(2DR
(S) ('omrnerts and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may he directed to
Strategic Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
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RCA-17,10002179
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