SOVIET 'TYPE 37' AND 'TYPE 39' JET BOMBERS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91T01172R000300010015-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 20, 2006
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: June 4, 1954
• Content Type: MEMO

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
4 JUNE 1954
MEMORANDUM TO: Deputy Director (Intelligence)
SUBJECT : Soviet "Type 37" and "Type 39" Jet Bombers
this plane is in series production.
1. In a series of six practice fly-bys from 18 April
through 28 April and in the May Day air parade, the Soviet
Union officially unveiled two new jet aircraft, a four-
engined bomber, designated "Type 37," and a twin-engined
bomber, designated "Type 39." Only one "Type 37" was dis-
played, suggesting that this aircraft is in the prototype
stage. Although nine "Type 39"s" were flown on May Day, as
many as eleven were flown in the rehearsals, indicating that
3. The "Type 37", a swept-wing, four-engine, heavy jet
bomber, has a fuselage approximately 155 feet long, a wing
span of approximately 170 feet, and an estimated gross weight
on the order, of 300,000 pounds. It is estimated that each
engine is capable of developing approximately 15,000 pounds
sea level static thrust. The bomb bay, estimated to be 17
feet long and 6 feet wide, is large enough to accommodate
one 11,000 pound general purpose bomb or one conventional
atomic bomb, The defensive armament is apparently contained
in three turrets. The appearance of a radome much larger
than the one used on the IL-28 indicates the probable use of
improved blind bombing/navigation radar equipment. Fire
control radar is probable on at least the tail turret.
Antennae suggest that a variety of HF, VHF, and possibly
UHF equipment is used. The configuration of the nose: section
indicates provision for visual bombing. The "Type 39", the
medium twin jet bomber, is similar in configuration to the
"Type 37" and appears to be in the same size class as the
US B-47. Its engines are probably the same as those in the
"Type 37". Electronic equipment on the "Type 39" appears
to be similar to that on the "Type 37", and its defensive
armament also appears to be contained in three turrets.
DIA.review(s) completed.
SE$ REVERSE FOR DECLASSIFICATION ACTION
25
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4. The US B-52 has a length of 156.5 feet and a wing
span of 185 feet. Its normal gross weight is 390,000 pounds:.
It is powered by eight turbo jet engines with a sea level
static thrust rating of 8,250 pounds each. It has a
maximum bomb load of 50,000 pounds and a combat radius with
a 10,000 pound bomb load of 3160 nautical miles. The US B-47
has a length of 106.8 feet and a wing span of 116 feet. Its
normal gross weight is 125,000 pounds. It is powered by-six
(J-47 axial flow turbo) jet engines with a sea level static
thrust rating of 5270 pounds each. It can carry one 22,000
pound general purpose bomb or one 10,000 pound special
weapon. With the latter weight bomb load it has a combat
radius of 1635 nautical miles.
5. The first indication of the existence of the "Type
37" occurred in July 1953 when Western attaches observed an
aircraft with tail section and fuselage similar to the B-47.
The wing was not attached to the plane, suggesting that
fabrication or some type of static tests were then underway.
In November 1953, British attaches observed at Kazan, east
of Moscow, two aircraft very similar in configuration to the 25X1
plane now identified as the "Type 39."
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 25X1 Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP91 T01 172R000300010015-3
Approved For Release 2007/02/08 : CIA-RDP91 T01 172R000300010015-3