LARGE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN THE SOVIET UNION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82T00709R000200640001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 20, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 1, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

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imagery analysis report
Large Transport Aircraft Development
Program in the Soviet Union (S)
Secret
secret
Z-14571/82
IAR-0058/82
MAY 1982
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LARGE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM IN THE SOVIET UNION (S)
INTRODUCTION
1. (S/WN) Analysis of imagery of three Soviet facilities associated with the Antonov Experi-
mental Design Bureau (OKB) indicates that a large transport aircraft comparable in, size to the
United States C-5A (GALAXY) is being developed. The Antonov OKB was responsible for the
successful development of several transport aircraft currently in military and civilian service. One
of these, the COCK, is currently the largest aircraft in the Soviet inventory. The facilities involved
in this program are Kiyev Airframe Plant 473 Fi ure 1 , which is the home of the 25X1
Antonov OKB;1 Tashkent Airframe Plant B Chkalov 84 Figure 2); Tashkent Airfield 25X1
GOSTOMEL
AIRFIELD
KIYEV AIRFRAME
PLANT 473
ROAD
-II II RAILROAD, DOUBLE TRACK
I I RAILROAD, SINGLE TRACK
I NPIC T-4081
Figure 2) and its associated flyaway field, where the AN-22 (COCK) aircraft was 25X1
I
30? 15'
FIGURE 1. LOCATION OF KIYEV AIRFRAME PLANT AND GOSTOMEL AIRFIELD, USSR
WNINTEL
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PLANT B
CHKALOV 84
ROAD
-II II RAILROAD, DOUBLE TRACK
~-I RAILROAD, SINGLE TRACK
I 0 1 2 3 4
LI I I I I I I.
NAUTICAL MILES
69?1k'5' I I
FIGURE 2. LOCATION OF TASHKENT AIRFRAME PLANT AND TASHKENT AIRFIELD
previously produced and is currently overhauled;2 and Gostomel Airfield , which 25X1
serves as the flight test center for aircraft designed by the Antonov OKB.1 In addition, a recently
modified CANDID A, which may be associated with this development program, is also discussed
in this report.
2. (S/WN) This report contains two location maps, 12 annotated photographs, and a table
with the dimensions of the aircraft discussed in this report.
Table 1.
Dimensions of the COCK,
GALAXY, and New Antonov Transport
This table in its entirety is classified SECRET/WNINTEL
Aircraft
Overall Length*
Wing Span*
COCK
58
65
GALAXY
75
68
New Antonov Transport
72"
75**
(AN 400)4
*Dimensions in meters
*Estimated dimensions
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DESCRIPTION
Structural Test Facility Expansion at Kiyev
3. (S/WN) A large hydrostatic test basin, originally constructed for structural testing of a
COCK fuselage, has been recently expanded. The basin is one component of the Antonov OKB's
hydrostatic test facility located at the northern end of Kiyev Airframe Plant. A COCK fuselage was
within the 56- by 10-meter test basin from May 1971 through April 1981. By the
western end of the basin had been removed and footings for lengthening this structure had been
emplaced (Figure 3). The COCK fuselage, which had occupied the basin, had been moved to the
large aircraft parking/maintenance apron in the Antonov OKB test area (Fi ure 4). A 14-meter
enlargement of the hydrostatic test basin had been completed by which increased
the overall length of the basin to 70 meters (Figure 5). The width remained at 10 meters.
COCK Modified to Transport Large Aircraft Components
4. (S/WN) A modified COCK was recently used to transport a large aircraft wing from
Tashkent to Kiyev. The modifications to the COCK consist of two raised blisters/hardpoints atop
the fuselage immediately aft of the wing box and a centerline-mounted third vertical stabilizer
(Figure 6). In addition, a removable boat-shaped support structure, used to carry the wing, has
also been observed on this aircraft.
5. (S/WN) The modified COCK, distinguishable from other military-marked COCK by its
dark-toned horizontal stabilizer and two-toned wing, is probably a developmental aircraft oper-
ated by the Antonov OKB. This aircraft, without modifications, was regularly seen at Gostomel
Airfield from September 1973 through July 1979. The COCK with the fuselage blisters/hardpoints
was subsequently observed at both Tashkent and Kiyev during 1980 (Figure 7). Throughout 1981,
the modified COCK underwent major wing and wing box maintenance/overhaul at Tashkent
Airfield (Figure 8). The third vertical stabilizer and the boat-shaped support structure were first
identified on the aircraft at Tashkent in February 1982 (Figure 9). On a large wing
was mounted lengthwise atop the modified COCK at Tashkent. The aircraft and wing were seen
at Mozdok Airfield where the COCK stopped en route to Kiyev
(Figure 10). On the modified COCK was at Kiyev, parked outside the new, 217-by 96-
meter final assembly building which has been under construction since February 1978 (Figure 11).
The large wing had been removed and was probably inside the final assembly building. The wing
was the longest ever identified in the Soviet Union and had an overall length of a
wing root of and a wing tip chord of
Production and Test Facility Construction Probably
To Support New Large Aircraft Program
6. (S/WN) Ongoing construction at both Kiyev and Gostomel is probably intended to sup-
port the development of the new large aircraft. The large final assembly building has been under
construction at Kiyev since February 1978 and a large maintenance fitting-out apron immediately
north of the new final assembly building has been completed (Figure 12). This apron is connected
by a taxiway to a 102-meter-diameter concrete compass rose. In addition, a 100- by 96-meter
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maintenance/fitting-out hangar, a large steam/heat plant, and several shop and storage/support
buildings were also observed under construction at Kiyev. At Gostomel, the concrete runway,
under construction since September 1973, was 2,680 meters long and 57 meters wide by March
1982. This runway has been connected to the airfield maintenance and support areas Ly a con-
crete taxiway (Figure 13). In November 1981, construction began on a large aircraft parking/-
maintenance hardstand adjacent to the new taxiway. Expansion of the airfield support facilities
has also been observed.
CANDID A Modified for Use as a Large Turbofan Engine Testbed
7. (S/WN) A specially modified CANDID A, was recently identified at
Ramenskoye Flight Test Center with a large probable turbofan engine. On
a CANDID A, with possible was outside the western assembly
building at Tashkent Airframe Plant. Four standard D-30 engines were observed on this aircraft. By
the port side inboard engine had been removed. CANDID A~emained at the
airframe plant through During this time, the inner portion of the port side wing
leading edge and inboard engine pylon were removed. From
CANDID ADwas observed at Tashkent Airfield. The port-side wing leading edge and inboard
pylon were in place but no engine was mounted on this pylon. This aircraft was at Ramenskoye
ono A new engine, noticeably wider than the standard D-30 engines, was mounted on
the port-side inboard engine pylon (Figure 14). CANDID ADwas regularly observed on the
transient parking apron at Ramenskoye throughout April.
8. (S/WN) The large engine on CANDID ADwas approximately in diameter
and extended approximately 6 meters forward of the wing leading edge. These dimensions are
similar to those for several western-designed, high by-pass ratio turbofans, including the General
Electric TF-39, which powers the GALAXY.3 The TF-39 was initially flight tested on the starboard
side inboard pylon of a modified Boeing B-52E.
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Imagery Analyst's Comments
ery-derived analysis of events, construction, and activity at Kiyev, Tashkent, an ostomel, as well
as the identification of a large new engine, is evidence supporting these reports. The following
conclusions can be drawn:
a. The large aircraft wing identified in March was produced at Tashkent Airframe Plant, and
this plant may also produce other components for the new aircraft;
b. The shipment of the wing to Kiyev and the extensive construction currently underway
indicates that Kiyev will be involved in the final assembly of the large aircraft prototypes;
c. The enlarged hydrostatic test basin at Kiyev will be used for the structural testing of this
aircraft;
d. Modified CANDID AD is being used as an engine testbed for a large probable
turbofan engine-possibly to be used by the new transport; and
e. The initial flight test program of the new transport will be conducted at Gostomel
Airfield.
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(S/WN) All available satellite imagery acquired between
cutoff date, was used in the preparation of this report.
MAP OR CHART
DMA. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet 0233-8, scale 1:200,000 (SECRET)
DOCUMENTS
1.
DIA. DST-1830S-104-81, Soviet Aviation Industry Design and Development Resources-USSR (U), 9
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RCA-09/0018/78, Tashkent Airframe Plant B, Chkalov 84 (S), Jul 78 (TOP SECRET
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3. Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1968-1969, p648 (UNCLASSIFIED)
4. CIA. 00-K-323/17964-81, Antonov Design Plant Development of the 600 Passenger lzdelye-400 Air-
craft, 12 Aug 81 (CONFIDENTIAL
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**Extracted information is classified SECRET
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(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to
25X1
Warsaw Pact Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
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