WHITE HOUSE ASSESSES REPORTS OF SOVIET ASAT LASER FACILITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90B01390R000100080007-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 9, 2010
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: September 18, 1986
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/12/09: CIA-RDP90B01390R000100080007-4
Iq
Next 6 Page(s) In Document Denied
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/12/09: CIA-RDP90B01390R000100080007-4
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/12/09: CIA-RDP90B01390R000100080007-4
White House Assesses
Reports of Soviet
Asat Laser Facilities
Washington-The White House is assess-
ing intelligence reports suggesting that the
Soviet Union has begun deployment of the
world's first operational ground-based la-
ser antisatellite system, and is in a posi-
tion to break out of the antiballistic
missile treaty with similar ABM laser de-
velopments, the stockpiling of ABM mis-
sile systems and new command facilities
observed in the USSR.
A U. S. Air Force imaging reconnais-
sance satellite has photographed two new,
unusually large high-technology facilities
under construction on mountain tops near
the Soviet-Afghanistan border. Intelli-
gence agency assessments are that the fa-
cilities involve laser weapons.
Two Other Facilities
U. S. intelligence agencies do not agree,
however, on whether the new facilities,
spotted near Dushanbe and another site
in the region, are operational antisatellite
laser sites, laser development facilities that
could eventually go operational or merely
laser research facilities.
Some U. S. analysts believe the facilities
will be operational Soviet Asat laser facili-
ties that could be upgraded to antiballistic
missile lasers with more advanced point-
ing and tracking systems.
Senior Strategic Defense Initiative offi-
cials said although there is debate on the
exact nature of the two complexes, they
dwarf all of the U. S. laser weapons devel-
opment facilities. "Nothing in the U. S.
directed energy program compares to
what we see," one official said.
Another official said some analysts be-
lieve the Dushanbe site includes laser and
microwave weapons systems and that the
other site contains two laser systems.
Both sites are in an advanced state of
construction and have only recently been
discovered by U. S. intelligence.
Missile Stockpile
In addition to the laser facility issue,
officials said there are indications the So-
viets are stockpiling antiballistic missiles
similar to the former U. S. Sprint/Spartan
ABM system.
It is unknown whether this indicates an
intention to break out of the ABM treaty
with a more extensive deployment of
ABM systems than currently allowed, or
whether it is a continuation of a Soviet
trait to overproduce and stockpile arma-
ments, the SDI official said.
U. S. intelligence also is continuing to
assess the discovery in the Caucasus re-
gion of a large, new Soviet radar that
might be used for ABM battle manage-
ment. ^
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/12/09: CIA-RDP90B01390R000100080007-4
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/12/09: CIA-RDP90B01390R000100080007-4
Soviets said
to build 2
laser bases
REUTERS NEWS AGENCY
The Soviet Union may have
started deploying what will be the
world's first operational ground.
based laser anti-satellite system,
Aviation Week and Space Technol-
ogy magazine said yesterday.
The magazine said the White
House was assessing intelligence re-
ports suggesting this development
as well as evidence that Moscow is
now in a position to exceed the limits
of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Tleaty.
Aviation Week said a U.S. Air
Force reconnaissance satellite has
i photographed two new, unusually
large high-technology complexes
under construction on mountain
tops near 'the Soviet-Afghanistan
border. Intelligence analysts beliqve
f1 the facilities involve laser weapons.
Some U.S. intelligence experts be-
lieve the sites will be operational So-
viet anti-satellite laser installations
that could be upgraded to anti-
ballistic missile laser facilities with
more advanced pointing and
tracking systems, the magazine re-
ported.
The magazine quoted senior of-
ficials with the U.S. Strategic De-
fense Initiative program, sometimes
called "star wars," as saying that
while there is debate over the exact
nature of the facilities, there is no
doubt that they dwarf all U.S. facili-
ties for the development of laser
weapons.
Aviation Week also said that of-
ficials found signs that Moscow is
stockpiling anti-ballistic missiles.
tUAS/a1~-Cs~~ rin4&3
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/12/09: CIA-RDP90B01390R000100080007-4