TRENDS IN THE SOVIET ANTARTIC PROGRAM

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CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
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RIPPUB
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K
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17
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November 17, 2016
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July 7, 2000
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1
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Publication Date: 
February 1, 1974
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REPORT
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Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Central Intelligence Agency Directorate of Intelligence February 1974 TRENDS IN THE SOVIET ANTARCTIC PROGRAM 1. The USSR's Antarctic program appears to have stabilized and matured following a period of uncertainty and then rapid expansion during the 1960's (Figures 1 and 2, following page 1). Most of this past expansion as well as the present mix of scientific programs can be traced to decisions reached during a major policy study in 1966, and refined in subsequent annual reviews. These stated objectives emphasize research that will yield practi cal benefits, particularly from marine and mineral resources, and from meteorological and geophysical forecasting. 2. The Nineteenth Soviet Antarctic Expedition (SAE), 1973-74, is remarkably similar in size and scope to the previous three expeditions. For the fourth consecutive year the USSR will probably man six year-round stations. No mention has been made this year of plans to open a new station, Russkaya, on the coast of Marie Byrd Land (see map, page 2). Attempts during the last two expeditions to establish Russkaya failed; last year's try led to a delay in ship scheduling and eventual entrapment of the resupply ship Ob' for three months in the ice pack. Indications several years ago that Mirnyy station might be abandoned have been negated by a current rebuilding program. STATINTL STATINTL Comments and questions may be directed to of the office of Basic and Geographic Intelligence, Code 143, Extension 2257. Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 3. According to the Soviet press, about 750 persons are on the Nineteenth SAE. Some 350 of these are crew members of the five ships supporting the expedition. The 400 regular expedition members are allocated roughly as follows: 240 persons at permanent stations, more than 100 on field parties, and about 50 on shipboard research and support activities. The 240 station personnel are augmented during the present summerseason tbyn addadditional 100 to 200 members of the overlapp'ng 9 na Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 4. One of the best indicators of trends in the Soviet Antarctic effort is the total number of wintering- over scientific workers. During 1973, the scientific contingent at six Soviet stations numbered 112, almost triple the 41 who stayed in 1962. Of this total, Molodezhnaya had about 40, Mirnyy and Vostok had 20 each, and Bellingshausen, Leningradskaya, and Novolazarevskaya were about equal with 10 each. All other countries active in Antarctica, including the US, support fewer than 50 scientific workers on the continent during the winter season. 5. Scientific activities at the six Soviet stations encompass the entire range of atmospheric and earth sciences common to the Antarctic programs of other countries. The largest are meteorology, radiowave propagation, satellite geodesy, glaciology, medicine, and geomagnetic research. Significant recent developments in these fields include: a meteorological rocket launching program at Molodezhnaya; an ice drilling program at Vostok that has reached a depth of 1000 meters and is designed to reach the bottom of the 3,500-meter-thick ice; a biomedical program that includes a new medical research center at Molodezhnaya; a new computing center at Molodezhnaya for processing meteorological and other data. 6. Activities during the austral summer season vary considerably from year to year and are composed of distinct marine and continental components. The marine portion fluctuates with the number of research vessels available to the expedition: in recent years two or three ships have been available to conduct research between expedition logistic duties. (Soviet research vessels without logistic duties related to Antarctic shore stations are not considered to be part of an SAE even when conducting research in Antarctic waters.) 7. Seasonal field research conducted on land during the last three expeditions has considerably exceeded that of any previous expedition. Nearly all of it has been based at a temporary camp on the Amery Ice Shelf in East Antarctica. In each of the three seasons more than 100 scientists and support personnel using aircraft and helicopters have operated from the Amery camp. This year Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 they plan to complete mapping of the entire mountainous area extending 800 kilometers inland from the Amery camp using data compiled from geological, gravity, seismic, aerial photographic, radio ice sounding, and magnetic surveys. Soviet researchers have stated that these data will be used to evaluate the area's mineral resources. They have given no indication of the nature or scope of future field programs. An ambitious project, announced in 1971, to install 34 automatic geomagnetic stations throughout East Antarctica has not been pursured according to the original schedule; it may now be accelerated using resources freed by completion of the field project around the Amery Ice Shelf. AIR AND SEA LOGISTICS 8. The five ships being used on the current expedition provide the largest combined cargo capacity of any Soviet Antarctic Expedition. Two, the Vasiliy Fedoseyev and the Olenek, are ice-strengthened cargo vessels of 8,108 gross tons, identical to the Navarin and similar to the Ob', both used on previous expo iitions. The Nina Sagais a somewhat smaller refrigerated cargo ship that requires an escort in ice. The Bashkiriya is a 5,211-gross-ton passenger vessel of the same class as the Nadezhda Krupskaya, used by the 18th SAE. Finally, the Professor Vize is an ice-strengthened research, passenger, and cargo vessel that has been used on four previous expeditions. 9. The USSR employed five ships in its Antarctic operations once before, on the Sixteenth SAE. In that instance, however, one was a fuel tanker which is used in alternate years to resupply the large tank farms at Molodezhnaya and Mirnyy. The first 12 SAE's (1955-1967) used an average of two ships -- the multipurpose vessel Ob', and usually a passenger vessel. The last six SAE's prior to this year have averaged four ships -- the Q W, the Professor Vize or its twin the Professor Zubov, a tanker in alernate years, a freighter in four of the years, and in one season two Navy hydrographic vessels. Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 10. Although they are not considered part of the Soviet Antarctic expedition, other research vessels from USSR Academy of Sciences and fisheries fleets also operate in the Antarctic each year. During the current season, for example, a fisheries research ship will tow a manned submersible in Antarctic waters. 11. The USSR has not used aircraft to ferry personnel and supplies to Antarctic since 1964, at least partly be- cause of a lack of adequate landing facilities at the continental stations. Aircraft are, however, used in most years to shuttle some of the annual relief personnel as far as Australia, where they are picked up by one of the expedition ships. 12. The USSR has often acknowledged a need for larger aircraft for intercontinental and intracontinental support. A Soviet Antarctic specialist has noted that this require- ment will soon become critical because production of the IL-14 has been discontinued. This plane is similar in size to the DC-3 and provides the only Soviet capability to fly to the interior station Vostok. The USSR has recently shown interest in purchasing the larger C-130 aircraft from the US to meet these needs. 13. On the continent itself, light aircraft and helicopters are used to ferry personnel and cargo from ship to shore and between stations and also in support of field parties. This capability has increased slightly this year over that of the past few years, continuing a trend that has been noticeable for some time. On hand for the 19th SAE are four IL-14's, two AN-2's (small biplanes), and four MI-8 helicopters, each with a payload capacity of 7,000 pounds. Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Trends in the Soviet Antarctic Program BGI RP 74-10 February 1974 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Central Intelligence Agency Directorate of Intelligence February 1974 TRENDS IN THE SOVIET ANTARCTIC PROGRAM STATINTL 1. The USSR's Antarctic program appears to have stabilized and matured following a period of uncertainty and then rapid expansion during the 1960's (Figures 1 and 2, following page 1). Most of this past expansion as well as the present mix of scientific programs can be traced to decisions reached during a major policy study in 1966, and refined in subsequent annual reviews. These stated objectives emphasize research that will yield practical benefits, particularly from marine and mineral resources, and from meteorological and geophysical forecasting. 2. The Nineteenth Soviet Antarctic Expedition (SAE), 1973-74, is remarkably similar in size and scope to the previous three expeditions. For the fourth consecutive year the USSR will probably man six year-round stations. No mention has been made this year of plans to open a new station, Russkaya, on the coast of Marie Byrd Land (see map, page 2). Attempts during the last two expeditions to establish Russkaya failed; last year's try led to a delay in ship scheduling and eventual entrapment of the resupply ship Ob' for three months in the 'i ce pack. Indications several years ago that Mirnyy station might be abandoned have been negated by a current rebuilding program. Comments and questions may be directed to - of the Office of Basic and Geographic Inte ZZigence, Code 143, Extension 2257. STATINTL Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001- figure 1 unbar of ersoa i c i Soviet A stardic Expe itio is 0 1960-61 61-62 62-63 63-64 64-65 65-66 66-67 67-68 68-69 69-70 70-71 71-72 12-73 73-74 SAE 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 4-0 Total Expedition Personnel Ships' Crews Aviation Personnel Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825RO00300140001-Lur00 2 umber of vilnter Personnel on Soviet Aftarctic Expeditions 1_-_ I I I I I I 0 1960-61 61-62 62-63 63-64 64-65 65-66 66-67 67-68 68-69 69-70 70-71 71-72 72-73 73-74 SAE 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Number of Sumer Personnel on Soviet Antarctic Expeditions 300 Total Winter Personnel Winter Scientists Total Summer Personnel " Summer Scientists* 1960-61 61-62 62-63 63-64 64--65 65-66 66-67 67-68 68-69 69-70 70-71 71-72 72-73 73-74 SAE 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 '0n last five SAE's includes 12 to 25 man scientific detachment on Vize and Zubov, officially listed by USSR as ship's crew. "Does not include ships' crews. Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 3. According to the Soviet press, about 750 persons are on the Nineteenth SAE. Some 350 of these are crew members of the five ships supporting the expedition. The 400 regular expedition members are allocated roughly as follows: 240 persons at permanent stations, more than 100 on field parties, and about 50 on shipboard research and support activities. The 240 station personnel are augmented during the present summer season by an additional 100 to 200 members of the overlapping Eighteenth SAE. Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 4. One of the best indicators of trends in the Soviet Antarctic effort is the total number of wintering- over scientific workers. During 1973, the scientific contingent at six Soviet stations numbered 112, almost triple the 41 who stayed in 1962. Of this total, Molodezhnaya had about 40, Mirnyy and Vostok had 20 each, and Bellingshausen, Leningradskaya, and Novolazarevskaya were about equal with 10 each. All other countries active in Antarctica, including the US, support fewer than 50 scientific workers on the continent during the winter season. 5. Scientific activities at the six Soviet stations encompass the entire range of atmospheric and earth sciences common to the Antarctic programs of other countries. The largest are meteorology, radiowave propagation, satellite geodesy, glaciology, medicine, and geornagneti c research. Significant recent developments in these fields include: a meteorological rocket 1 th.unchi ng program at Molodezhnaya; an ice drilling program at Vostok that has reached a depth of 1000 meters and is designed to reach the bottom of the 3,500-meter-thick ice; a biomedical program that includes a new medical research center at Mot odezhnaya; a new computing center at Molodezhnaya for processing meteorological and other data. 6. Activities during the austral summer season vary considerably from year to year and are composed of distinct marine and continental components. The marine portion fluctuates with the number of research vessels available to the expedition: in recent years two or three ships have been available to conduct research between expedition logistic duties. (Soviet research vessels without logistic duties related to Antarctic shore stations are not considered to be part of an SAE even when conducting research in Antarctic waters.) 7. Seasonal field research conducted on land during the last three expeditions has considerably exceeded that of any previous expedition. Nearly all of it has been based at a temporary camp on the Amery Ice Shelf in East Antarctica. In each of the three seasons more than 100 scientists and support personnel using aircraft and helicopters have operated from the Amery camp. This year Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 they plan to complete mapping of the entire mountainous area extending 800 kilometers inland from the Amery camp using data compiled from geological , gravity, seismic, aerial photographic, radio ice sounding, and magnetic surveys. Soviet researchers have stated that these data will be used to evaluate the area's mineral resources. They have given no indication of the nature or scope of future field programs. An ambitious project, announced in 1971, to install 34 automatic geomagnetic stations throughout East Antarctica has not been pursured according to the original schedule; it may now be accelerated using resources freed by completion of the field project around the Amery Ice Shelf. AIR AND SEA LOGISTICS 8. The five ships being used on the current expedition provide the largest combined cargo capacity of any Soviet Antarctic Expedition. Two, the Vasili Fedose ev and the Olenek, are ice-strengthened cargo vessels of 8,108 gross tons, identical to the Navarin and similar to the Ob', both used on previous expeditions. The Nina Sac aydak is a somewhat smaller refrigerated cargo ship that requires an escort in ice. The Bashkiriya is a 5,211-gross-ton passenger vessel of the same class as the Nadezhda Kruoskaya, used by the 18th SAE. Finally, the Professor Vize is an ice-strengthened research, passenger, and cargo vessel that has been used on four previous expeditions. 9. The USSR employed five ships in its Antarctic operations once before, on the Sixteenth SAE. In that instance, however, one was a fuel tanker which is used in alternate years to resupply the large tank farms at Molodezhnaya and Mirnyy. The first 12 SAE's (1955-1967) used an average of two ships -- the multipurpose vessel Ob', and usually a passenger vessel. The last six SAE's prior to this year have averaged four ships -- the Ob', the Professor Vize or its twin the Professor Zubov, a tanker in al ernate years, a freighter in four of the years, and in one season two Navy hydrographic vessels. Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 10. Although they are not considered part of the Soviet Antarctic expedition, other research vessels from USSR Academy of Sciences and fisheries fleets also operate in the Antarctic each year. During the current season, for example, a fisheries research ship will tow a manned submersible in Antarctic waters. 11. The USSR has not used aircraft to ferry personnel and supplies to Antarctic since 1964, at least partly be- cause of a lack of adequate landing facilities at the continental stations. Aircraft are, however, used in most years to shuttle some of the annual relief personnel as far as Australia, where they are picked up by one of the expedition ships. 12. The USSR has often acknowledged a need for larger aircraft for intercontinental and intracontinental support. A Soviet Antarctic specialist has noted that this require- ment will soon become critical because production of the IL-14 has been discontinued. This plane is similar in size to the DC-3 and provides the only Soviet capability to fly to the interior station Vostok. The USSR has recently shown interest in purchasing the larger C-130 aircraft from the US to meet these needs. 13. On the continent itself, light aircraft and helicopters are used to ferry personnel and cargo from ship to shore and between stations and also in support of field parties. This capability has increased slightly this year over that of the past few years, continuing a trend that has been noticeable for some time. On hand for the 19th SAE are four IL-14's, two AN-2's (small biplanes), and four MI-8 helicopters, each with a payload capacity of 7,000 pounds. Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-825R000300140001-5 DISTRIBUTION LIST STATINTL Title of Report Date Trends in the Soviet Antarctic Program 13 February 1974 Report No. Project No. Classification Control RP 74-10 69.1361/11 UNCLASSIFIED E IMPDET CL BY 019641 Name of Requester Name of Anal st Branch Adm. Thomas Owen, Asst. Dir. OBGI/GD/X National Science Foundation INTERNAL DDCI, 7E12, HQ 1 - George A. Carver, Jr., D/DCI/NIO, 6F19, HQ 1 - NIO, 7E62, HQ (Attn: STATINTL STATINTL 1 - Congressional Support Officer, 7F36, HQ - 0/DDI, 7E44, HQ (Attn: STATINTL 1 - CRS/DPSD/DSB/Doc, 1E4810, HQ 2 - CRS/ISG, 1H19, HQ 2 - IRS/HRG, 2G40, HQ STATINTL 3 - NPIC/IB, 1S518, 1 - OPR/USSR, 3E58, HQ 1 - OD/BGI 1 - OCh/NISD/OBGI 2 - OCh/CD/OBGI 2 - OCh/MLD/OBGI STATINTL 1 - Archives, 7 - OCh/GD/OBGI 3 - GD/X STATINTL 1 - OCI/SRE, 7G31, HQ 1 - OSI/PSED, 5F25, HQ (Attn: 1 - OSR/RA/U, 2G11, HQ Approved For Release 2000/08/17 CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For F.lease 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-U825R000300140001-5 EXTERNAL 2 - Comdr. Kelsey B. Goodman OASD/ISA Department of Defense Pentagon (Rm 4B748) Washington, D. C. 20301 5 - Mr. Harris B. Stone Office of Chief of Naval Operations Department of Defense Pentagon (Rm 4B525) Washington, D. C. 20301 2 - Mr. Jacques Heilfron Dep. Dir. for Scientific and Tech. Intelligence Defense Intelligence Agency Pentagon (Rm 1E864) Washington, D. C. 20301 1 - Mr. William MacDonald OPPD/Branch of International Activities Topographic Division, USGS Department of Interior (Rm 2177) Reston, Virginia 22092 STOP 515 2 - Mr. R. K. McGregor Arctic Program Earth Sciences Division Naval Research Group Office of Naval Research Ballston Center Tower No. 1 (Rm. 307) 800 Quincy St. Arlington, Virginia 3 - Mr. W. T. Peterson Ocean Sciences and Technology Division Sciences and Technology Department Naval Intelligence Support Center (Rm S133) 4301 Suitland Road Suitland, Maryland 1 - Mr. James Q. Tierney Assistant Chief of Staff of Oceanographic Analysis Oceanographer of the Navy Hoffman Bldg. (Rm 8S33) 2461 Eisenhower Blvd. Alexandria, Virginia Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 Approved For R,vlease 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84.Q 825R000300140001-5 EXTERNAL (Continued) 4 - Capt. James E. Heg Chief, Polar Planning and Coordination Staff Rm 620-D National Science Foundation Washington, D. C. 2 - Mr. Robert Yoder SCI/SA Rm 7824A Department of State Washington, D.C. 2 - Mr. Serge Olenicoff Physical Sciences Department The RAND Corporation 1700 Main Street Santa Monica, California 90406 STATINTL Rm 1S031 National Security Agency Fort Meade, Maryland 1 - Mr. Evan T. Sage Arms Control and Disarmament Agency Rm- 4929 Department of'State Washington,. D. C. STATINTL Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5 ,n I L-_T r TIVITY NOTICE Liiiiii___ 1~1 017 SUBJECT PROJECT NUMBER ds in the Soviet Antarctic Program T 69.1361./11 ren 25X1A SUBJECT REQUESTER REQUESTING OFFICE Adm,Thomas Owen, Asst. Dir., National Science NSF STATEMENT OF PROBLEM n tion TARGET DATE On 22 Januar durin a meeting on another matter, 6February 74 /1 Adm. Owen and fell into a discussion of this ANALYST/BRANCH year's Soviet Antarctic program. At that time he mentioned that in mid-February he will be going to GD/X Congress with budget proposals and will cite expansion FST. ANALYST MANHOURS of the Soviet Antarctic program in his justification for additional fundsFor this purpose lie requested 1.6 that provide him with data on the size of the Soviet program and some analysis of trends over the 25X1A past few years. We propose preparing a short Research Paper of 25X1A perhaps 10-15 paragraphs and a few graphs, using readily available data. NIS Division could do the graphics. Besides NSF, limited dissemination will be made to interested components of DoD. COORDINATION REQUIRED FROM CD/BI : None OTHER CIA: None NON-CIA None XXXXXXXX CHIEF, Special Research BranclATE28Jan7 REPORT RECORD REPORT NUMBER CIA/BI G PUDLITION DATE ANALYST/BRANCFI INITIAL OF COPIES AREA CODE JECT MANHOURS EXPENDED CLASSIFICATION DISTRIBUTION ANALYST TYPIST TS C STANDARD V A d -d iq Approved For Rese 2000/08/17D M 2594 B IMF= CL, Y 01641 CONFIDENTIAL El SECRET