SHORT TAKE-OFF RAMP UNDER CONSTRUCTION SAKI AIRFIELD, USSR (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82T00709R000101540001-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 29, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 1, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/29: CIA-RDP82T00709R000101540001-6
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25X1
(S/D) SIGNIFICANCE: THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SHORT TAKE-OFF RAMP
(SKI JUMP-TYPE) AT SAKI AIRFIELD INDICATES CONTINUED SOVIET
INTEREST IN IMPROVING SHIPBOARD BASING OF VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND
LANDING (VTOL) AIRCRAFT.
(S/D) REMARKS: THE SHORT TAKE-OFF RAMP WAS IDENTIFIED UNDER
CONSTRUCTION AT SAKI AIRFIELD ON IMAGERY OF THE 25X1
RAMP IS 1 KM NORTHEAST OF SAKI EXPERIMENTAL CATAPULT FACILITY
AT THE SITE OF A SIMULATED SHIPBOARD STRUCTURE PREVIOUSLY
IDENTIFIED AS AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT-ARRESTING GEAR FOR USE
ON A CONVENTIONAL AIRCRAFT CARRIER. THE COMPLETED RAMP WILL BE
LONG ANDS WIDE WITH AN END HEIGHT OFI25X1
(S/D) ONI OF THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE SIDE 25X1
FRAMES OF THE RAMP WERE IN PLACE OVER DECK PLATES ON THE
SIMULATED SHIPBOARD STRUCTURE. THE SHALLOW END OF THE RAMP HAD
BEEN COVERED WITH STEEL PLATES. TWO FRAMES WHICH 25X1
SLOPE UP TO WERE ALSO PRESENT AT THE SITE. A 25X1
HIGH AND LONG RECTANGULAR FRAME WHICH IS 25X1
PROBABLY THE END-SUPPORT FRAMP WAR ALSO PRESENT. FRAMEWORK FOR
THE RAMP WAS FIRST SEEN ON AND WAS IDENTIFIED AS 25X1
SUPPORTS FOR AN EXPERIMENTAL WEB-TYPE AIRCRAFT BARRIER.
(S/D) ANALYST'S COMMENTS -- EXTENSIVE TESTS IN THE UNITED
STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN INDICATE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN
RANGE, PAYLOAD AND PILOT SAFETY FOR VTOL AIRCRAFT WHEN USING A
RAMP RATHER THAN A VERTICAL TAKE-OFF. STRIKE CAPABILITY OF THE
KIEV-CLASS AIRCRAFT CARRIERS COULD BE ENHANCED BY THE
INSTALLATIONS OF SHORT TAKE-OFF RAMPS WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE
ABILITY TO LAUNCH FORGER AIRCRAFT AT HIGHER GROSS WEIGHTS WITH
GREATER RANGE.
(S)
COORDINATES 45-05-35N 033-36-21E
These notes have been prepared for briefing purposes only and should not be used for detailed ana-
lytical work. Their use should be restricted to the particular briefing board(s) they were prepared for
and must be considered valid only for the reporting period as indicated by the date of issue.
WARNING NOTICE
Intelligence Sources
and Methods Involved
NPIC/IEG (6/82)
11 JUNE 1982
SHORT TAKE-OFF RAMP UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
SECRET
25X1
25X1
25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/29: CIA-RDP82T00709R000101540001-6