MISSILE-RELATED ACTIVITY AT KAPUSTIN YAR MISSILE RANGE TEST COMPLEX C SITE 2, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83T00574R000102610001-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 13
• 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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MISSILE-RELATED ACTIVITY AT KAPUSTIN YAR
MISSILE RANGE TEST COMPLEX C SITE 2, USSR (S)
INTRODUCTION
1. (S/WN) Kapustin Yar Missile Range Test Complex C Site 2 (Site 2C; Figure 1), 25X1
USSR, was modified between January 1979 and November 1980. Activity and equipment observed since
that time indicate that Site 2C may support the research and development (R&D) of a new liquid-
propellant missile system. This report gives a brief history of Site 2C, describes the modifications and
activities observed since January 1979, and updates information published in a 1981 NPIC report.'
DISCUSSION
Background
2. (S/WN) Site 2C has been used to support the development of missiles for both the Soviet
Strategic Rocket Forces (SRF) and the Soviet Navy. Two launch pads, designated LP 2C-1 and LP 2C-2
(Figure 2), were constructed in the late 1950s to support the R&D program for the SS-4 medium-range
ballistic missile and probably the SS-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). Launch pad 2C-1 was
modified in September 1965 to support the R&D program for the SS-N-6. This same pad was subsequently
modified in March 1968 to support the R&D program of the SS-NX-13, an antiship missile that was never
deployed. From September 1976 through November 1978, Site 2C supported SS-20 mobile-IRBM crew
training. Direct support for activity at Site 2C is provided by the Kapustin Yar Complex C Assembly/
Checkout Area , which is 3.2 nautical miles west of the site.
Recent Modifications
square aperture on the downrange face. The downrange face is oriented on an azimuth of approximately
95 degrees. An exhaust/personnel passageway extends upward at a relatively steep angle from the rear of
3. (S/WN) Additional modifications to Site 2C were begun in January 1979, when an excavation was
initially observed at the northern edge of LP 2C-2. By November 1980, a complex, three-story buried
building had been constructed in the excavation, and an A-frame structure had been built on it (Fi ure
3). The lower two (second and third) floors of the buried building (Figures 4 and 5) are aroximately] 75X1
while the first floor (belowgrade) is approximately The A- 25X1
frame structure was built atop the first floor of the buried building. It is high and has a base 25X1
approximately The eastern (down an e) face of the A-frame structure is 25X1
square and inclined approximately 45 degrees. A diameter dome protrudes from a 25X1
the third floor of the buried building and emerges at ground level behind the A-frame 25X1
structure. The area to the rear of the third floor is stepped down before it attaches to the exhaust/person-
nel passageway. A cable trench extends from around the A-frame structure to the eastern edge of the
site, where it terminates at three points outside the site security fences.
4. (S/WN) Other modifications to Site 2C included construction of a new bunkered launch control
building, installation of a concrete block apron in front of the A-frame structure, installation of five
lightning arresters and two probable electronics/telemetry-related towers, and enlargement of the turn
radii of the roads within the site. The new launch control building is and is just 25X1
northwest of the original launch control building (Figure 2). The new launch control building is cable
connected to the site support area and is also connected by a linear excavation to an 18-meter-square
building foundation. Construction of the building foundation had ceased by September 1979. The con-
crete block service apron, which is was installed in front of the A-frame structure 25X1
during November 1979. During the summer of 1980, the paving blocks were temporarily removed while
the soil beneath the apron was repacked (Figure 6). After the concrete blocks were replaced, two 1-
meter-square probable hardpoint/tiedown (HP/TD) positions were installed in the apron directly in front
of the downrange face of the A-frame structure (Figure 7). One probable HP/TD position is on each side
of the dome on the downrange face. Three of the lightning arresters and the two 25X1
probable electronics telemetry-related towers were erected near the A-frame structure. The other two
lightning arresters were installed at the south end of LP 2C-2. During mid-1979 the turning radii of the
roads serving both pads were increased.
Ground Support Equipment
5. (S/WN) Several types of ground support equipment (GSE) and unidentified pieces of equipment
have been seen at Site 2.C since the modification began. Equipment included a new-type probable
transporter-erector (TE), a load simulator/strongback, an unidentified cylinder, SS-9/-11 propellant trans-
porters and nitrogen trucks (Figure 2), an unidentified framework, and a ramplike structure.
Z-14615/82 SECRET
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46?00'
10 MR/IRBM bivouac/troop
training area
11 Complex C administration and
housing area
12 Transmitting communications
facility
13 Warhead receiving/checkout area
(warhead handling areas)
14 General support area
15 SA-5 SAM launch complex
16 Telemetry/tracking facility
COMPLEX H
.0
COMPLEX H
(support area)
45?45'
1 SRBM support facility
2 Complex A support facility
3 Missile receiving and
checkout facility
4 Missile receiving /inspection
storage area
5 Receiving communications
facility
6 Rangehead tracking facility
7 Probable LOX plant
8 Propellant storage and
handling facility
9 Complex C assembly/
checkout area
SAM base
support
complex
Kapustin Yar\
46?15'
*-- Railroad
Road
? SA-2 SAM site
? Tracking facility
3C
4C
LAUNCH
SffE
2C
*Associated with Akhtubinsk Flight Test Center
i
/Vladimirovka
COMPLEX B
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6. (S/WN) The probable TE was first observed on imagery of and was positioned
directly in front of the downrange face of the A-frame structure (Figure 8). It has since been seen in front
DOME
APERTU
FIRST
FLOOR
SECOND
FLOOR
THIRD
FLOOR
Not Drawn To Scale
EX HA US 1/
PER SO N N EL
PASSAGEWAY
NPZC T-4724
FIGURE 3. CONCEPTUAL DRAWING OF NORTH SIDE OF BURIED BUILDING AND A-FRAME STRUCTURE
UNID
.~ STRUCTURE
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~uu~iuic WI )IA uuiet uccasions. Ine prooa ie It consists Ot a osslbly
three-axle trailer with a MAZ-537 prime mover (Figure 9). A slightly inclined, cradle-
like structure (Figure 10) is mounted behind aboxlike structure at the forward end of
tue trailer. /\
ring is vertically mounted on the rear end of the cradlelike structure
A
.
structure with a_________ possible aperture is mounted at the rear of the probable TE
(Figure 11), This structure appears to be hinged and can be raised, lowered, and possibly detached. When
in a horizontal position, it may serve as an interface between the probable TE and the downrange face of
the A-frame structure. It may provide the missile-handling function necessary for a missile transfer
between the probable TE and the A-frame structure. When connected to the A-frame structure, it could
also serve as a launch stand. A MAZ-543 truck-mounted crane (TMC) has usually been observed near the
probable TE.
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7. (S/WN) A 12-meter-long load simulator/strongback was first observed at Site 2C on
25X1
=11 months prior to the first observation of the probable TE. Since then, it has usually been seen near
25X1
the probable TE (Figure 11).
8. (S/WN) On an unidentified, cylinder was in front of the
downrange face of the A-frame structure, which was in a late stage of construction at the time (Figure 12).
A crane was positioned at each end of the cylinder. On the cylinder was not present,
suggesting that it had been inserted through the aperture in the downrange face of the A-frame and into
the buried building. The cylinder would not fit in the buried building at an angle perpendicular to the 45-
degree downrange face of the A-frame structure. However, the cylinder would fit if it were installed at a
steeper angle than that of the face of the A-frame structure. The cylinder would then extend from the
aperture into the third floor area. If the long cylinder was installed, it may function as a launch
tube. In addition, on a second unidentified cylinder similar in size to that seen on
this cylinder
was on a trailer at the north end of LP 2C-2 near the A-frame structure. On
vas being canvas covered (Figure 13).
9. (S/WN) An unidentified framework was angled out
aperture on the downrange face of the A-frame structure on
(Figures 6, 7, and 8). On the framework had been lowered to a horizontal position and
appeared to be connected to the rear end of the probable TE. It may serve as a locking/spacing device
for positioning the probable TE in front of the A-frame structure. It is not known how the framework on
the A-frame structure interfaces with the structure on the probable TE.
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
10. (S/WN) Three SS-9/-11 propellant transporters and two nitrogen trucks were at Site 2C onU 25X1
As many as five SS-9/-11 propellant transporters and three nitrogen trucks have been at the site 25X1
since~ Although these vehicles are normally parked at LP 2C-1 (Figure 2), as many as two 25X1
nitrogen trucks have been observed near the A-frame structure. On one SS-9/-11 25X1
propellant transporter and two nitrogen trucks were adjacent to the probable TE aligned with the A-
frame structure (Figure 14). The presence of these propellant-associated vehicles, also observed at this site
during the SS-N-6 and SS-NX-13 programs, suggests that the new missile has stages that use liquid
propellants. Prior to these propellant vehicles had not been observed at Kapustin Yar since 25X1
the termination of the SS-NX-13 program in 1973. These vehicles are not known to be associated with any
other missile system at Kapustin Yar.
11. (S/WN) A ramplike structure (Figure 15) was at LP 2C-2 on The structure con- 25X1
sisted of two parallel rails and apart with a slope of approximately 25X1
The structure had been removed b The function of this structure, which was fastened 25X1
to the apron with tiedown points, is not known. During April and May 1981, a similar, if not identical,
structure was present during the construction of a new propellant-handling facility at Balaklava Naval
Missile Test Center inset, Figure 15). 25X1
Support Facility
12. (S/WN) A large, high-bay assembly/checkout building in the Kapustin Yar. Complex C Assem-
bly/Checkout Area was refurbished between March and October 1977. The roof was resurfaced, the large
equipment doors were replaced, and the interior of the structure was refurbished. Between November
1981 and June 1982, an 18-meter-long extension was added to the east end of one of the two low-bay
sections of the building. Nitrogen trucks and a MAZ-543 TMC have also been observed at this facility. In
addition, between September 1980 and April 1981, a TT-EL-01 telemetry antenna was ground-mounted on
a pedestal east of the assembly/checkout building, and its associated calibration device was mounted on
the roof of the assembly/checkout building (Figure 16). The TT-EL-01 antenna has only been associated
with ballistic missile system launch activity. The presence of the TT-EL-01 antenna and the timing of its
installation at this facility suggest that modifications to this facility are related to activity at Site 2C and that
the activity at Site 2C is related to a ballistic missile system.
Imagery Analyst's Comments
13. (S/WN) The presence of missile GSE and the type and repetitive nature of activity at Site 2C
strongly indicate R&D of a missile. What is not clear is what type of missile is being developed, what type
of launch mode it will use, and for which military service it is being developed.
14. (S/WN) Although the missile has not been seen, handling equipment associated with it suggests
that it is 11 to 13 meters in length and less than 2 meters in diameter. This is based on the size of the
cradlelike structure on the probable TE, the length of the load simulator/strongback, and the size of the
cylinders seen in front of the A-frame structure and on a trailer near the A-frame structure. The judgment
that the missile uses liquid propellants is based on the presence of the SS-9/-11 propellant transporters.
This, however, does not rule out the possibility of a hybrid missile that also uses a solid-propellant stage.
15. (S/WN) The unusual configuration of the A-frame structure seems to rule out its use as a
launcher. However, the presence of a concrete service apron with two probable HP/TD positions in front
of the A-frame structure and repeated observation of the probable TE on the apron strongly suggest that
the A-frame structure is a launcher. Additionally, a framework that may serve as a loading tray is occa-
sionally seen extending from the downrange face of the A-frame structure. A framework such as this
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would be necessary to align/guide the loading of a missile into a launch tube. The cylinder seen in front
of the A-frame structure may have been the launch tube. Moreover, the stepped-down floor at the rear
of the third floor of the A-frame structure seems designed more to channel exhaust into an exhaust
conduit than to serve as a personnel passageway. If a missile were launched from the A-frame structure, it
would have to be launched at a steeper angle than the 45 degrees of the face of the A-frame structure.
16. (S/WN) The probable TE could be a launcher, although it has never been seen elevated. If it is a
launcher and not a loader for the A-frame structure, it would probably erect a missile on one of the
concrete surfaces near the A-frame structure, as this vehicle is not designed for offroad use.
17. (S/WN) If the above judgments are correct, and a relatively small missile is being developed at
Site 2C, then the missile is probably being developed for the Soviet Navy rather than the SRF. The
development of a naval missile however, would not be unusual since both the SS-N-6 and SS-NX-13 were
flight tested from Site 2C. Naval involvement with the ongoing activities at Site 2C is also supported by
the return of the SS-9/-11 propellant transporters, which have been used only for naval missile systems at
Kapustin Yar, and the appearance of a unique type of ramplike structure at Balaklava Test Center shortly
after the same type of structure had been removed from Site 2C.
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-------AIL-
FIGURE 9. CONCEPTUAL DRAWING OF PROBABLE TE IN FRONT OF A-FRAME STRUCTURE
a 25X1
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IMAGERY
(S/WN) All applicable imagery acquired through as used in the preparation of this report.
DOCUMENT
1. NPIC. Z-20179/81, RCA-15/0002/81, Kapustin Yar Missile Range Test Complex C Site 2 (5), Dec 81 (SECRET/
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to
Strategic Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
25X1
Soviet 25X1
25X1
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