OPERATING MODE OF THE SOVIET TT-EL-01 TELEMETRY ANTENNA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83T00574R000102580001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 11, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 1, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

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-- WNINTEL
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Z-14616182
DAIS-0089/82
SEPTEMBER 1982-
Copq ; , 74
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OPERATING MODE OF THE SOVIET
TT-EL-01 TELEMETRY ANTENNA (S)
INTRODUCTION
1. (S/WN) This report discusses the TT-EL-01 telemetry antenna and its operating procedures
at three test ranges in the Soviet Union. Satellite imagery acquired from January 1980 through F
I
drawings, and six photographs.
was used in the preparation of this report, which includes a location map, conceptua
OVERVIEW
2. (S/WN) The TT-EL-01 is a seven-element telemetry antenna that has been identified at
missile test ranges and missile tracking facilities in the Soviet Union (Figure 1). A detailed analysis
of this type of antenna suggests that the orientation of the antenna indicates three separate
modes: a stowed or resting mode, a calibration mode, and an operating or prelaunch/launch
mode. The orientation of the antenna in the prelaunch/launch mode provides a good indication
of launch-related activity.
3. (S/WN) Since the first TT-EL-01 antenna was observed at Tyuratam in 1978, 19 TT-EL-01s
have been identified (either complete or under construction) at 11 sites (Figure 1 and Table 1).
Twelve of the antennas have been identified at test ranges, and seven have been identified at
downrange tracking facilities. Primarily because of the frequency of coverage, the best data on
the operation of the TT-EL-01 (Figure 2) has been obtained from imagery of test ranges. An
accurate assessment of the operating procedures for the TT-EL-01 at Nenoksa, Kapustin Yar, and
Plesetsk has resulted.
DISCUSSION
Nenoksa Naval Missile Test Center
4. (S/WN) Because of the high frequency of coverage of the two TT-EL-01 antennas at
Nenoksa (approximately 150 times since January 1980), the operating procedures of these anten-
nas can now be understood. These two TT-EL-01s were the first to be positively associated with a
single missile system-the SS-NX-20.
5. (S/WN) The antennas were installed on the checkout building for the SS-NX-20 several
weeks before the first launch of the missile in January 1980. Unlike some other telemetry anten-
nas, the TT-EL-01 does not face its calibration device when not in use. When the antennas are
stowed, they face northward over the White Sea at an approximate azimuth of 0 degrees (Figure
3). On three occasions, the antennas were facing the calibration devices at an approximate
azimuth of 320 degrees. Since this orientation is unusual, the antennas were probably being
calibrated at those times. On six occasions, the antennas were facing launch facility D at an
approximate azimuth of 155 degrees, and SS-NX-20 prelaunch activity was evident. On
the antennas were reoriented during an SS-NX-20 loading operation (Figure 4). The facility
WNINTEL
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was imaged twice on that day. During the three-hour interval between the two coverages, the 19-
meter missile railcar was moved to the launch facility, the erector/loader was elevated, and the
antennas were reoriented toward the launch facility.
Kapustin Yar Missile Test Center
6. (S/WN) A TT-EL-01 had been installed in the Kapustin Yar Complex C Assembly/Check-
out Area by April 1981 (Figure 5). Approximately 30 images of the area have been received since
the antenna was installed. Like the two TT-EL-01s at Nenoksa, the antenna does not face its
calibration device when not in use. On all coverages acquired through May 1982, the antenna was
in its stowed mode facing northward toward the corner of a support building. On F] it was
reoriented partially toward the calibration device (Figure 6).
7. (S/WN) The antenna and its calibration device are in a portion of the Assembly/Checkout
Area that has been renovated and separately secured. Vehicles observed in this area have also
been at Kapustin Yar Missile Range Test Complex C, Site 2 , which has been
modified for an unidentified program. The presence of the TT-EL-01 and the fact that it is in line
of sight with Site 2 suggests that the antenna is probably intended to monitor telemetry from the
unidentified program.
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Table 1.
Locations and Descriptions of the TT-EL-01 at Known Facilities in the USSR
(Keyed to Figure 1)
This table in its entirety is classified SECRET/WNINTEL
Facility/BE No
Date TT-EL-01
Installed
Antenna
No/Mount
Tyuratam ICBM Test
Aug -Sep 78
1; pedestal
Support Facility 3
Nenoksa Naval
Jan 80
2; SLBM checkout
Missile Test Center
bldg
Balaklava Missile Test
Apr 81
2; pedestal
Center
Dec 81
1 ; pedestal
Plesetsk Telemetry/
Tracking Facility
2; new telemetry
bldg
Tatishchevo Launch
Oct 80-
1; transportable
Control Facility CC
Feb 81
Kapustin Yar Complex C
Apr 81
1; pedestal
Assembly/Checkout
Area
Uka Hen Egg/
Jun 81 -
1 ; pedestal
Kamchatka Impact
Jan 82
Tracking Facility A
Jan-May 82
1; pedestal
Naryan-Mar
Sep 81 -
1 ; pedestal
Telemetry/Tracking
Feb 82
Facility
Sary-Shagan Missile
Apr 81 -
1; pedestal
Test Range-Related
Mar 82
Facility 1
Apr 81
1; ucon;
pedestal-installed
array being
assembled Jun 82
Letniy Navolok
Feb 82
2; on telemetry
Tracking Facility
bldg
Yelovka Tracking
Jun 81 -
1 ; pedestal
Facility NNE
Mar 82
Calibration Device
No/Mount
1 ; telemetry control
bldg
2; both on 1 tower
2; separate towers
Uses device in
place for antenna
installed in Apr 81
1; tower
1; tower
1; renovated
assbly/checkout
bldg
1; tower
Ukn
1; tower
Ukn
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CALIBRATION DEVICE
FIGURE 2. CONCEPTUAL DRAWINGS OF THE TT-EL-01 ANTENNA AND CALIBRATION DEVICE AND THE
64-ELEMENT TELEMETRY ANTENNA
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Plesetsk Missile Test Center
face the northeast (Figure 7); Plesetsk ICBM Launch Test Sites 23 and 24
8. (S/WN) Two TT-EL-Ols were installed on a new telemetry building in May 1981. A single
calibration device to service both was installed on a nearby lattice tower. The antennas normally
respectively) are in that general direction.
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9. (S/WN) The two TT-EL-01s were facing the calibration device on
probably being calibrated. By they were in their usual position, and a third TT-EL-01
antenna had been ground-mounted nearby. On the two building-mounted antennas
were again facing the calibration device. The ground-mounted antenna appeared to be blocked
from the tower-mounted calibration device by the telemetry building. A possible calibration
device for the third antenna is mounted on a nearby support building.
10. (S/WN) On the ground-mounted antenna and one of the building-mounted
antennas were facing southeast; Plesetsk ICBM Launch Test Sites 22 and 28 and
respectively) are in that direction. On the same day, the second building-mounted
antenna was being calibrated. On I all three were facing southeast, and on
they were facing northeast. On each of the eight coverages acquired from
May, the antennas were again facing southeast.
11. (S/WN) Because the usual stowed position of the antennas is in the general direction of
Sites 23 and 24, it is difficult to determine when they are actually being used in connection with
those sites. However, the reorientation of the antennas toward Sites 22 and 28 suggests that they
were being used in connection with those sites on F___1and fromF ]through
Imagery Analyst's Comments
12. (S/WN) Although analysis of the imagery of the TT-EL-01 has yielded a good understand-
ing of the antenna's method of operation at certain facilities, several questions remain unan-
swered.
13. (S/WN) The TT-EL-01 antennas at Balaklava Missile Test Center are pedestal mounted.
The first two were installed at instrumentation sites 1 and 2 in April 1981. Concurrently with the
installation of the antennas, clutter screens were erected behind each antenna. Azimuths drawn
perpendicular to the screens intersect at a 230-meter-high TV transmitter in Sevastopol, suggest-
ing that the screens are positioned to eliminate interference from the tower. The third antenna
was installed at instrumentation site 1 in late 1981. No clutter screen was erected, nor has any
subsequent attempt been made to construct one. Since the Soviets do not seem to be concerned
about interference with the third antenna, either it operates in a different frequency range or
interference from the tower is no longer a problem. The third antenna apparently uses the same
calibration device as the screened antenna previously installed at site 1. This suggests a common
range of frequencies unless the calibration device operates in more than one frequency.
14. (S/WN) The two building-mounted antennas at Plesetsk share a common calibration
device, as do the two pedestal-mounted ones at Balaklava instrumentation site 1. The two build-
ing-mounted antennas at Nenoksa are also close to each other; however, they have separate
calibration devices. It is unclear whether the antennas operate in different ranges or the two
calibration devices are redundant and were found to be unnecessary at later installations.
15. (S/WN) Finally, it has not been determined why there are three TT-EL-01 antennas at
Balaklava, which supports popup testing of naval missiles, and only one at Tyuratam, which is the
Soviet's largest test center.
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(S/WN) All applicable satellite imagery acquired from January 1980 through) was used in the 25X1
NPIC. Z-20147/81, IAR-0160/81, TT-EL-01 Probable Telemetry Antenna, USSR (S), Sep 81 (SECRET/
NPIC. Z-14548/82, IAR-0031/82, Transportable TT-EL-01 Telemetry Antenna, USSR (5), Apr 82 (SECRET/
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome
Soviet Strategic Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
Z-14616/82 SECRET
. They may be directed to
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.Secret
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