POSSIBLE GUIDED-MISSILE TESTING AND TRAINING RANGES IN COMMUNIST CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-01009A002200010009-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 25
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 14, 2000
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: October 1, 1958
• Content Type: IR

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N9 106
GEOGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT
POSSIBLE GUIDED-MISSILE TESTING AND
TRAINING RANGES IN COMMUNIST CHINA
CIA/RR?GR-198
October 1958
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND REPORTS
SKRET
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WARNING
This material contains information affecting
the National Defense of the United States
within the meaning of the espionage laws,
Title 18, USC, Secs. 793 and 794, the trans-
mission or revelation of which in any manner
to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
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GEOGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT
POSSIBLE GUIDED-MISSILE TESTING AND TRAINING RANGES
IN COMMUNIST CHINA
CIA/RR-GR-198
October 1958
CENTRAL INihLLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Research and Reports
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TABTE OF CONTENTS
I.
II.
Introduction
Criteria for Delimitation of Guided-Missile
Range Areas
Page
1
2
A.
Distance From a Non-Bloc Country
B.
Population Density
2
C.
Logistics
3
D.
Length of Range
3
E.
Terrain
4
F.
Climate
4
III.
Selected 1,100-Mile Ranges
5
A.
Range IMS-1: Northern Ordos Desert
6
B.
Range IMS-2: Southwestern Ordos Desert .
7
C.
Range IMS-3: Chi-ning Area
8
D.
Range IMS-4: An-hsi Area
10
E.
Range IM5-5: Wu-su Area
10
IV.
Selected 700-Mile Ranges
11
A.
Range MS-1: Ordos Desert
11
B.
Range MS-2: An-hsi Area
11
C.
Ranges MS-3 and MS-4: Chiu-ch'uan Area . .
12
V.
Selected 400-Mile Ranges
12
A.
Range S-1: Northern Ordos Desert
12
B.
Range S-2: Wu-wei Area
13
C.
Range S-3: Chi-ning Area
13
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Page
D. Range S-4: Chang-yeh Area 13
E. Ranges S-5 and S-6: An-hsi Area 13
VI. Impact Area for Extension of the Kapustin Yar
Range
VII. Summary
MAPS FOLLOWING PAGE 15
Communist China: East-West Intermediate Missile
Ranges
Communist China: West-East Intermediate Missile
Ranges and Extension of Kapustin Yar Range
Communist China: Medium Missile Ranges
Communist China: Short Missile Ranges
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Map No.
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POSSIBTE GUIDED-MISSITE TESTING AND TRAINING RANGES
IN COMMUNIST CHINA
I. Introduction
The purpose of this study is to determine the most feasible
locations for guided-missile-testing and operational-training
ranges within the borders of Communist China. Possible range
locations have been selected through analysis of the geographic
conditions which have a bearing on the technical criterial
established for ICBM and IRBM testing ranges scaled down to fit the
operational-training and testing needs of ballistic missiles of
400-, 700-, and 1,100-mile range.
Among the considerations that will affect the development of
missile testing and training ranges in Commuaist China are: (1)
limitations to the scope of assistance that the Soviets are willing
and able to offer the Chinese in the form of equipment, instrumen-
tation, and technical personnel; (2) the capability of the Chinese
to support guided-missile activity logistically and technically;
and (3) the strategic and tactical urgency of a guided-missile
program. With these considerations in mirk, it is assumed that at
least three choices may be available to the Chinese Communists in
the field of guided-missile activity. They are:
Case 1. Testing and training with a wide selection
of the family of Soviet guided missiles in the short-,
medium-, and intermediate-range categories. Training
with surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles will require
only adequate space at the launching points, whereas a
range length of 1,000 to 1,100 nautical miles, with a
possibility of extension to 1,600 miles, will probably
be required for IRBM's. It is further assumed that short
or medium ranges will be established initially, with
plans for their subsequent development into intermediate
ranges.
Case 2. Testing and training with short- and medium-
range missiles. Such operations will require launching
facilities similar to those for minimum-range missiles;
but the maximum length of range will be 700 nautical
miles rather than the 1,100 or 1,600 miles required for
IRBM's. It is also assumed that no extension of facili-
ties to include intermediate distances is planned.
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Case 3. Testing and training with short-range
missiles. Operations will require a maximum length
of only 400 nautical miles, with no extension beyond
this limit.
For the purposes of this report, it is also assumed that:
(1) The range facilities required for testing and training with
surface-to-air, air-to-air, or air-to-surface missiles is so
minimal as to preclude any effective determination of feasible
range locations through geographic analysis; (2) ICBM testing and
training is presently beyond the capabilities of the Chinese
Communists; and (3) because the Soviets may wish to extend the
Kapustin Yar range to a maximum of 2,000 nautical miles, an
evaluation of the probable impact area for such an extended range
should be considered.
II. Criteria for Delimitation of Suitable Guided-Missile Range
Areas
A regional analysis of Communist China against the yardstick
of the various pertinent criteria permits a tentative delimitation
of the areas suitable for 400-, 700-, and 1,100-mile ranges. The
criteria considered, and their effect on the selection of ranges,
are discussed below.
A. Distance From a Non-Bloc Country
The criteria established specify that guided-missile launching
and impact areas be located at least 400 to 500 miles from the
nearest non-Bloc observation areas. The parts of China that lie
within 400 miles of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan,
Burma, Laos, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan are shown
on the accompanying maps. Although distance alone tentatively
eliminates large parts of Communist China, most of the areas thus
eliminated would also be unsuitable on other grounds. Of the ranges
selected in this study, those with impact areas in the Tarim Basin
are the only ones that might be affected by the distance criteria.
B. Population Density
Launching and impact areas must be located where population
is sparse. For security reasons as well as because of the high
hazard to population within 25 miles of the launching area and
within 125 miles of the impact area, range facilities will probably
not be located in areas with population densities greater than 25
persons per square kilometer (65 persons per square mile). On the
accompanying maps, areas with densities of more than 50 and between
10 and 50 persons per square kilometer are delineated. Little
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attention has been given to the question of population hazards in
first-stage booster impact areas down range from launching points,
since it is considered unlikely that the Chinese will launch ICBM's.
C. Logistics
The logistic requirements for possible missile ranges impose
further limitations on the location of feasible launching sites and
impact areas. It is probable that launching facilities of any type
would have to be located within 50 or 100 miles of an existing rail
line. The areas within 100 miles of existing rail lines shown on
the accompanying maps indicate the limits set by transportation
on the selection of areas in which guided-missile launching sites
might be located. The site should also have access to supplies of
missiles, auxiliary equipment, missile components, fuels, and
instrumentation components by surfaced roads and airfields as well
as railroads. Roads and airfields, however, can be constructed as
needed if terrain is suitable. Although telecommunications links
with existing land lines would be desirable, radio connections
could be developed as the need arises. It is further assumed that
a launching site will require a supply of fresh water sufficient
for 2,000 to 10,000 persons (including water for technical purposes)
within a distance of 25 kilometers. The logistic requirements for
impact areas are less restrictive -- reasonably good accessibility,
an airfield, and facilities to care for 100 to 400 persons.
Since all but a small fraction of a Chinese Communist missile
program would depend upon supplies from Soviet stockpiles of
missile components and fuels, the original sources of supply need
not enter into the selection of ranges. Because Chinese missile
sub-assembly points will probably be located in North China or
Manchurian industrial areas, launching sites in the east would be
nearer to the immediate source of supply. The sparsity of the
transportation net and the lack of reliable supplies of fresh water
in most parts of arid western China further restrict the possible
locations for guided-missile launching sites.
Shortage of fresh water presents a major problem throughout
the steppe and desert areas of China. The need for sufficient
water to supply a staff of 2,000 to 10,000 persons restricts the
location of launch sites almost exclusively to areas near large
rivers where adequate surface or ground water would be available
at all seasons.
D. Length of Range
The maximum length of range that may be required for IRBM
proof testing is 1,600 miles. For training, however, ranges longer
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than 1,100 miles probably will not be necessary. The minimum
length of range for short range ballistic-missile testing and
training is assumed to be 400 miles. Ranges of these lengths,
combined with logistic requirements, can be found only in the
deserts and steppes of Inner Mongolia, Kansu, and Sinkiang south
of the Chinese-Mongolian border. (See Maps 1 and 2.)
E. Terrain
A launch site for surface-to-surface missiles will probably be
located in an area of relatively flat terrain, since rugged
mountains or deep valleys would hamper the development of the
extensive facilities needed. It is essential that the construction
of spur rail lines and roads between the launching site and existing
rail facilities should not be obstructed by major terrain obstacles.
Terrain in the launching area should also be suitable for the con-
struction of an airfield and should be trafficable by tracked
vehicles throughout the year.
In general the steppes and deserts along the Chinese-Mongolian
border have the terrain best suited to the development of guided-
missile ranges. As indicated by the accompanying maps, the only
other extensive areas of level terrain are the densely populated
North China and Manchurian Plains. The remainder of the country
is eliminated from consideration because of rugged mountains,
eroded plateaus, steep hills, and narrow river valleys. In the
Khingan Mountains in northern Manchuria and the Tsinling Shan in
Central China, the dense forest cover would constitute a fire
hazard. In the deserts, extensive stretches of sand or salt marsh
would hinder vehicular traffic. The steppes and deserts, neverthe-
less, have wide expanses of relatively level, treeless land with
only short-grass or brush vegetation, which provide the sites best
suited to missile ranges.
F. Climate
The climatic factors most important in the selection of a
possible guided-missile launching site include temperature, pre-
cipitation, winds, surface visibility, and cloud cover. For missile
operations, the steppe and desert areas south of the China-Mongolian
border have the most favorable combination of climatic conditions.
The climate of the Tarim and Dzungarian Basins in Sinkiang is less
favorable.
Total annual precipitation averages from 8 to 16 inches on the
steppes northwest of Peiping and along the Yellow River floodplain;
in the adjacent desert areas the rainfall is even lower -- 3 to 5
inches. In Sinkiang, farther west, precipitation is generally low
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in the south -- less than 3 inches per year -- and higher in the
Dzungariaa Basin of northern Sinkiang -- about 10 or 12 inches.
In Inner Mongolia and in southern Sinkiang, the snow cover either
evaporates or is blown into depressions. In the Dzungarian Basin,
however, a light snow cover may persist more than 6 months.
Temperatures in the steppe and desert areas have extreme
diurnal and annual variations, with maximum summer temperatures
reaching to 100?F and minimum winter temperatures as low as -30?F.
Although frostbite in the winter and heatstroke in the summer are
hazards to personnel, precautionary measures can be taken to
counteract them.
Missile launching operations are more likely to be affected
by wind than by any other climatic condition. In both Inner
Mongolia and Sinkiang, winds are light to moderate most of the
year. Winds of gale force (over 32 miles per hour), however, occur
locally during spring and early summer, particularly in Sinkiang.
Violent duststorms and sandstorms usually accompany high winds and
limit visibility to several hundred yards. The haze following dust-
storms may reduce visibility to between 2 and 6 miles for as many
as 5 to 15 days a month during the spring and early summer on the
Inner Mongolian steppes and deserts. In January, skies of Inner
Mongolia are cloudy 24 to 26 percent of the time as compared with
45 to 48 percent in Sinkiang. In July, conditions are reversed
and skies are cloudy a higher percentage of the time in the east
(48 to 58 percent) than in the west ()1-0 percent).
III. Selected 1,100-Mile Ranges
On the basis of geographic conditions and previously defined
range criteria, the following areas are selected as possible
launching and impact areas for operational training and the testing
of 400-, 700-, and 1,100-mile missiles. The selections include
only those areas in which the shorter ranges can be extended by
range increments of the present Soviet missile family to a maximum
of 1,100 nautical miles. Where further extension of the range to
1,600 miles is feasible, the conditions of extensibility are
defined. In the following paragraphs the five selected multiple-
purpose ranges are discussed in order of feasibility. (See Maps
1 and 2.)
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A. Range IMS-1:* Northern Ordos Desert
The northern Ordos Desert conforms more nearly to all the
qualifications for 1,100-mile range head than any other area in
Inner Mongolia or Sinkiang. In evaluating the range westward from
a launching site, the relative advantages and disadvantages of the
basic 70-mile range and instrumentation point, and the 150-, 400-,
700-, 1,100-, and 1,600-mile increments were taken into
consideration.
For Range IMS-1, the launching area is located in the northern
Ordos Desert on the southern bank of the Yellow River opposite
Pao-t'ou, within a region of short-grass steppe and desert. For
most of this area the population density varies from 1 to 16 persons
per square kilometer, but extensive stretches have virtually no
population and a few localities have from 35 to 75 persons per
square kilometer. One of the major advantages of the northern
Ordos Desert area is its location relative to rail transportation
and telecommunications lines. The rail line connecting Pao-t'ou
with Chi-ning (the change-point between the Russian broad-gauge
Trans-Mongolian line and the standard-gauge Peiping--Pao-t'ou line)
passes within 15 to 20 miles of the area.
The Yellow River is the only terrain obstacle likely to hamper
the construction of spur lines from Pao-t'ou to the launching area
for the transport of missiles and supplies either from the USSR or
from the Peiping area. The bridging of the Yellow River (500-2,700
feet wide and averaging 10 feet deep at Pao-t'ou), however,
might be required to provide access to the launching area. The
flat or gently rolling terrain, short-grass vegetation, and stable
steppe soils would facilitate the construction of service roads,
launching facilities, and airfields. The dry climate is favorable
for launchings during most of the year, but duststorms and strong
winds might require the suspension of operations on as many as 100
days a year, especially during the spring and early summer. Cloudy
skies would hamper launching operations during less than 30 percent
of the time in winter and less than 50 percent of the time in
summer. Launching operations are likely to be scheduled later than
October, when the weather is most stable and skies are clear.
*Possible guided-missile ranges selected for this study are
identified on the Maps 1, 2, 3, and 4 by a regional or place name
and by a number with a letter prefix indicating the type of range.
"IMS" signifies an 1,100-mile range with 700- and 400-mile incre-
ments; "MS" denotes a 700-mile range with 400-mile increments; and
"S" stands for a 400-mile range.
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A number of suitable launching points are available within the
northern Ordos Desert launching area, all of them within feasible
distance of water supply and transportation. A variation of 150
miles in the location of the launching point along the axis of the
range would be possible without increasing the distance from water-
supply and transportation facilities. The most likely orientation
of a missile range from the northern Ordos Desert is nearly due
west, extending from the vicinity of Pao-t'ou westward past Hami
and An-hsi. From a point south of Pao-t'ou, the impact and
instrumentation areas of both the 70-mile and the 150-mile ranges
would be accessible by railroad spurs or roads. The 400-mile
impact area, however, is located in a region of sand dunes in the
Ala Shan Desert. This might complicate the establishment of
instrumentation and personnel facilities, and access to the facili-
ties might be difficult. The 700-mile impact area falls in the
Etsin Qol (0-chi-na Ho) area, which has an adequate water supply
and access to the rail transportation in the Kansu Corridor. The
1,100-mile impact area falls in the dune areas of the Takla Makan
Desert. The maintenance of range instrumentation facilities and
access to this impact area even by tracked vehicles may be com-
plicated by sand dunes. Extension of Range IMS-1 to 1,600 miles
is possible, but the impact area would fall within 50 or 75 miles
of the Afghanistan and Kashmir borders -- in either the Kashgar-
Yarkand area or the mountains bordering the Tarim Basin on the west.
B. Range IMS-2: Southwestern Ordos Desert
The southwestern Ordos Desert launching area is located on the
east bank of the Yellow River and extends into the desert for 100
miles east of Yin-ch'uan. Although the area has many of the same
characteristics as the northern Ordos Desert, it has more dis-
advantages. The desert is virtually uninhabited, but the range
would cross densely populated agricultural country along the
floodplain of the Yellow River in the vicinity of Yin-ch'uan. The
launching area is well located with respect to water supply and
transportation; but, in order to provide for testing and training,
the launching facilities for 400-mile missiles would have to be
located from 50 to 75 miles east of the Yellow River, the nearest
water supply. Fresh water would be available from the Yellow River
at Yin-chtuan, but there is virtually no ground water at all in the
desert. The launching area is well located with respect to
probable sources of supply for missiles, fuel, and equipment. Rail
connections through Lan-choulead to Sian and the North China Plain,
and the newly completed rail line following the Yellow River con-
nects Yin-chruan with Lan-chou and the Trans-Mongolian Railroad at
Chi-ning. A wire line follows the railroad and has connections
with Pao-t'ou, Yin-ch'uan, and Lan-chou. The construction of a
railroad spur to the launching area, however, would require the
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bridging of the 170- to 3,500-meter-wide Yellow River near
Yin-ch'uan. The only alternative would. be the building of a
branch along the east bank of the river from a crossing 75 miles
to the north. The southwestern part of the Ordos Desert is
traversed by the regularly scheduled air routes from Peiping to
Sinkiang.
The southwestern Ordos Desert has terrain similar to that in
the north. Most of the launching area is level or gently undu-
lating grassland, with some fixed dunes bordering the Yellow River.
Climatic conditions in the two areas are also similar. In the
southwest, strong winds (up to 30 miles per hour) and accompanying
duststorms would hamper operations for as many as 90 days a year,
especially during the spring and early summer.
For the extension of a southern Ordos Desert range to a 1,100-
mile maximum, the launch site would have to be located as far east
of the Yellow River as possible. Missiles would be directed
northwestward over Yin-chruan and the Ala Shan Desert, past
Chiu-ch'uan and Hami, and into the Dzungarian Basin. Extension of
the range to 1,600 miles would. place the impact area within the
USSR. The chief advantages of the southern Ordos Desert Range are
that (1) adequate space is available for short ranges of less than
50 miles and for adequate spacing of launching facilities; (2) the
150-, 40o-, and 1,100-mile impact areas fall in open desert areas;
(3) the 400- and 1,100-mile impact areas are easily accessible if
tracked vehicles are used; and (4) the range, up to 1,100 nautical
miles, falls entirely within Communist China. The major disad-
vantages of the range are that (1) the maximum extension of the
range within Communist China places the 1,100-mile impact area in
the mountains bordering the USSR; (2) the 700-mile impact area
falls astride an outlier of the Tien Shan north of An-hsi, where
mountainous terrain reduces accessibility and presents problems in
the setting up of instrumentation facilities; (3) the 150-mile
impact area falls in a sand dune section of the Ala Shan Desert,
making access by tracked vehicles difficult and complicating the
problems of setting up range and instrumentation facilities; and
(4) the range crosses the 3,000-meter-high Ala Shan Mountains at a
distance of about 100 miles from the launching point.
C. Range IMS-3: Chi-ning Area
The Chi-ning launching area is located about 150 miles north-
west of Peiping in the grassland steppes of Inner Mongolia.
Despite its proximity to Peiping, the population density of most of
the area is less than 10 persons per square kilometer. The area
was chosen because it is possible to extend the range to a maximum
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distance of 1,600 miles into western Sinkiang. The location of the
launching area near the Russian broad-gauge railroad connecting
Chi-ning with the Trans-Siberian Railroad would facilitate the
transport of missile components and fuel. The chief disadvantage
of the area is a shortage of water. The only continuous supply of
fresh water is the Yellow River, more than 100 miles to the
southwest.
The area consists of level to gently rolling steppe land dotted
with occasional swamps or marshes. In constructing spurs from the
nearby railroad, few if any terrain obstructions would be
encountered. Well water is available intermittently, but ground-
water supplies may dry up during the summer and freeze during the
winter. Trafficability is good for tracked vehicles during most
of the year and for wheeled vehicles during part of the year.
Soft ground, however, might hamper cross-country movement after
rainy spells in the spring and early summer. As in the northern
Ordos Desert area, winters are cold, dry, and clear. Summers are
hot and cloudy. Precipitation is higher than in the Ordos Desert
but averages less than 16 inches a year. Skies are cloudy between
50 and 70 percent of the time during the summer.
A range from the Chi-ning area could be extended westward
1,600 miles to the western end of the Tarim Basin. Facilities and
instrumentation for launching missiles of 400-, 700-, and 1,100-
mile range could be located along the Chi-ning--Ulan Bator railroad.
The impact area of the 150-mile range would lie 25 to 50 miles north
of Pai-yun-o-po, the terminal point of a branch rail line from
Pao-t'ou. The impact point 400 miles down range from the Chi-ning
area falls in the Mongolian Gobi. Although the terrain here is
suitable for impact area facilities and the site is accessible from
China, most of the impact area is on the Outer Mongolian side of the
border. The 700-mile impact area is located in an area of low
mountains and desert about 100 miles north of Chiu-chtuan. Although
the impact area is accessible by tracked vehicles, supplies and water
for range personnel would have to be transported from Chiu-ch'uan or
from the 0-chi-na Ho (Etsin Gol) area to the east. The 1,100-mile
impact area falls in the vicinity of Lop Nor in the eastern Tarim
Basin. Near the Tarim River, supplies of water should be adequate
for range-operating personnel, and sites suitable for range facili-
ties and an airfield are probably available. Trafficability,
however, would be difficult in areas of shifting sand, salt swamp,
and -- just south of the Turfan Depression -- sharply eroded
mountains. The extension of the range to 1,600 miles places the
impact area in the vicinity of Khotan, Yarkand, and Kashgar.
Despite the proximity of the impact area to these towns, the
establishment and maintenance of range facilities might be diffi-
cult because of the shifting sand dunes in the western Takla Makan
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Desert. A more feasible range of 1,500 miles might be established,
with its impact area along the Khotan Darya. Here moderate supplies
of river water are available during summer months, but the amount of
water available in winter has not been determined.
D. Range IMS-4: An-hsi Area
A possible launching area for an 1,100-mile range with an
approximate ENE orientation is located about 50 miles west of
An-hsi. Adequate space for launching facilities is available in
the virtually uninhabited desert plains adjacent to the Su-lo Ho,
and the area is within 50 or 60 miles of the Northwest Railroad.
The rail line is, however, the only surface transportation link
between the launching area and eastern China -- connecting eastern
Sinkiang with Lan-chou, Pao-t'ou, and Chi-ning. The completion of
the railroad across Sinkiang (scheduled for 1960), will connect
An-hsi with Soviet rail lines in the Lake Balkhash area. Adequate
supplies of fresh water are available from the Su-lo Ho, which is
adjacent to the launching area. Trafficability of the area for
tracked vehicles is good throughout the year. Most climatic
conditions are favorable for missile-launching operations, the
weather being either cold and dry or hot and dry. Cloudy days are
few. Visibility may be greatly reduced, however, by sandstorms,
duststorms, and dust haze, especially during the spring. Windstorms
of high velocity may occur at any time during the year, but par-
ticularly in the winter.
An 1,100-mile range in the An-hsi area would probably be
restricted to an ENE orientation because of the high Nan Shan
Mountains to the south and the proximity of the Outer Mongolian
border on the north. It is assumed that missile overflights of
Outer Mongolia would be permissible, but that Chinese Communists
would prefer to confine impact areas to Chinese territory insofar
as possible. The chief disadvantages of the An-hsi area are that
the impact areas of the 400- and 700-mile ranges are located within
Outer Mongolia. Both of these impact areas are reasonably accessi-
ble, but water supplies are uncertain in the central Gobi Desert.
The 1,100-mile impact area falls within Chinese territory, partly
in rolling steppe land and partly in the low, barren Greater Hsingan
Mountains. The 70- and 150-mile impact areas lie in the desert in
the vicinity of An-hsi andYti-men-hsien. Adequate space is available
for 400-mile testing and training facilities and for impact-area
facilities. In all impact areas, population densities are low.
E. Range IMS-5: Wu-su Area
On the contingency that the construction of a rail line
linking Urumchi with the Soviet rail net at Aktogay will be
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completed within the next 2 years, a possible missile range WNW
of Urumchi has been selected., The site has less favorable climatic
conditions for missile-launching operations than the other 1,100-
mile ranges selected, but the terrain is adequate for launching
facilities, airfields, and roads. The alignment of the range so
as to fall within Chinese territory insofar as possible requires
that the range parallel the northern slope of the high, rugged
Tien Shan and cross an outlier of the Tien Shan at the 400-mile
impact area. At the 700- and 1,100-mile impact areas, however,
terrain, climatic, and logistic conditions for range facilities
are good.
IV. Selected 700-Mile Ranges
In addition to the 700-mile sectors of the 1,100-mile ranges
selected in the previous section, 4 other ranges have been selected
as feasible from the point of view of launching and impact areas
for 700-mile missile testing and operational-training ranges. The
700-mile ranges selected also include segments suitable for 400-mile
range operations. Other launching areas and range orientations are
feasible from the standpoint of the geographic conditions and range
criteria, but they are not included because one or more impact areas
would fall within the territory of Outer Mongolia. Still others
are not included because their orientations closely approximate
those of 1,100-mile ranges already considered in Section III. The
following 700-mile ranges are discussed in order of feasibility.
(See Map 3.)
A. Range MS-1: Ordos Desert
The 700-mile range shown on Map 3 is selected as a possible
range originating in the southern part of the Ordos Desert near
Yin-ch'uan. The terrain, climatic, and logistic characteristics
of the area are similar to those described in Section III-B (p. 7)
The impact areas of the 70- and 150-mile ranges fall within the
Ordos Desert and would be readily accessible by tracked vehicles.
The 400-mile impact area lies northeast of the Trans-Mongolian
Railroad in the vicinity of P'ang-chiang, where the terrain is
suitable for the establishment of adequate range facilities. The
700-mile impact area is located in the steppe grasslands west of
the Greater Khingan Mountains in the northern part of the Inner
Mongolian Autonomous Region.
B. Range MB-2: An-hsi Area
The launching site for a 700-mile range oriented almost due
east could be located near An-hsi. Geographic conditions and
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logistic problems would be the same as those for the 1,100-mile
range described in Section III-D (p. 10). The main disadvantage of
MS-2 would be the location of its 400-mile impact area, which would
fall in the Ala Shan Desert.
C. Ranges ME-3 and MS -4: Chiu-ch'uan Area
Launching sites for two 700-mile missile ranges could be
located in the Chiu-Chtuan area of the Kansu Corridor, utilizing
the transportation facilities of the Trans-Sinkiang Railroad.
Geographic and logistic conditions are similar to those of the
An-hsi area (Section III-D, p. 10). One 700-mile range could be
oriented in an ENE direction, with the 700-mile impact area in the
steppe land northeast of P'ang-chiang and the Trans-Mongolian
Railroad. The 400-mile impact area would fall in the steppe north-
west of Pao-t'ou. Both impact areas would be accessible by tracked
vehicles, and the terrain is adequate for range facilities. The
150-mile Impact area, however, is located in the Ala Shan Desert,
where access would be more difficult.
The second possible range originating in the Chiu-chtuan area
is oriented to the west, with 400- and 700-mile impact areas in the
Lop Nor and Takla Makan Deserts, respectively. The 150-mile Impact
area would fall in the vicinity of YU-men-hsien, where conditiohs
are suitable for impact-area facilities. At both the 400- and
700-mile impact areas, however, shifting desert sands would compli-
cate the establishment of range facilities. In the impact areas on
this range, a shortage of water for range-operating personnel
constitutes a major problem.
V. Selected 400-Mile Ranges
Six possible ranges suitable only for 400-mile missiles (see
Map 4) supplement the 400-mile segments of the 1,100-mile and 700-
mile ranges previously described. The launching areas meet most of
the range-selection criteria, but extension of the ranges to
accommodate other types of missiles is not practical. The ranges are
discussed in order of feasibility.
A. Range 5-1: Northern Ordos Deser-:
The launching area of this range is identical to that of the
Northern Ordos Desert 1,100-mile range described in Section III-A
(p. 6). A northeast orientation of the range would place the 70- ?
and 150-mile impact areas in the Yin Shan. Although the mountains
are sparsely populated, movement might be hampered by hilly terrain.
The 400-mile impact area is located in a sparsely populated, short-
grass steppe area and is readily accessible by rail and road.
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B. Range 5-2: Wu-wei Area
The launching area of this range conforms with all requirements
except that the construction of launching facilities, airfields, and
roads may be complicated by patches of swampy or waterlogged land.
The range, with an orientation trending ESE, parallels the Trans-
Sinkiang Railroad, and the impact areas fall along the borders of
the desert. Accessibility is probably good for tracked vehicles.
C. Range 5-3: Chi-ning Area
This launching area, with a northwest-trending range, meets
all criteria except for a reliable supply of fresh water. The
characteristics of the launching area are the same as those
described in Section III-C (p. 8). All impact areas fall within
open, short-grass steppe terrain and are easily accessible by
tracked vehicles.
D. Range S-4: Chang-yeh Area
AR area suitable for 400-mi1e missile launching facilities is
located about 10 kilometers north-northwest of Chang-yeh. The
launching area has adequate water supplies and rail facilities and
meets all other requirements established. The 70- and 150-mile
impact areas of this range, which has an eastward orientation,
would fall in the Ala Shan Desert, where access might be hampered
by drifting sands. The 400-mile impact area, however, is suitably
located on level terrain of the Ordos Desert west of Yu-lin.
E. Ranges 5-5 and S-6: An-hsi Area
Two feasible 400-mile missile launching sites are located in
the vicinity of An-hsi and the Su-lo Ho in Kansu. The character-
istics of both are similar to those described in Section III-D
(p. 10). One range trends ESE from An-hsi, its impact areas falling
in desert plains adjacent to the Trans-Sinkiang Railroad. The second
range trends almost due west from An-hsi and has impact areas in the
vicinity of the Su-lo Ho and Tarim River. The impact areas of both
ranges conform adequately to established criteria, but movement may
be hampered by swampy places near the two rivers.
VI. Impact Area for Extension of the Kapustin Yar Range
Extension of the Kapustin Yar 11600-mile range to a maximum
distance of 2,000 nautical miles would bring its impact area
astride the Astin Tagh on the southern border of the Tarim Basin,
an area difficult of access. The impact area would be more
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accessible if the range were shortened to 1,900 miles. Although
the azimuth could be changed, the present orientation of the
Kapustin Yar range places the 2,000-mile impact area where it
straddles various types of terrain, each of which poses a different
logistic problem. The southwestern section of the impact area falls
in the complex of mountain ranges bordering the Tarim and Tsaidam
Basins and the Tibetan Plateau. The mountains -- the Kun Lun Shan
and the Astin Tagh -- are rugged, arid, and deeply eroded into sharp
V-shaped ravines and canyons. Access to mountain slopes off estab-
lished trails or tracks would involve travel along normally dry
watercourses, where movement would be difficult or nearly impossible.
Farther to the northeast, movement in the shifting sand dunes along
the northern edge of the mountains or in the salt swamps of the Lop
Nor would also be difficult, even for tracked vehicles. Access to
the desert areas southwest of Hami, however, should be reasonably
easy. The terrain here is suitable for range facilities and for an
airfield, but the nearest reliable water supplies may be located as
much as 100 miles from the actual impact area.
VII. Summary
The part of Communist China that is most suitable for the
development of adequate testing and training ranges for ballistic
missiles is a zone south of the Mongolia-China border stretching
from the Greater Khingan Mountains westward through the Ordos and
the Ala Shan Deserts and the Kansu Corridor to the Tarim and
Dzungarian Basins of Sinkiang. Large areas of eastern China had to
be eliminated because the population was too dense -- more than 25
persons per square kilometer. Southern and southwestern China and
Tibet were ruled out because of too rugged terrain as well as
nearness -- less than 500 miles -- to observation points in
countries not within the Sino-Soviet Bloc.
Within the zone suitable for the establishment of missile ranges,
the selection of specific ranges was further limited by logistic
considerations, chiefly access by rail and road and the availability
of adequate water supplies. The best sites are near the Yellow River
and the rivers of the Kansu Corridor. Of the suitable launching
sites, a large number had to be discarded because the ranges emanating
from them were not long enough for the adequate testing of 1,100-,
700-, and 400-mile missiles. The sites remaining were evaluated on
the basis of local geographic conditions, including climate and
terrain.
A total of 15 feasible ranges remained. Of these, 5 were
suitable for testing missiles with 1,100-, 700-, and 400-mile
ranges; 4 were suitable for 700- and 400-missiles; and 6 could
accommodate only missiles with 400-mi1e ranges.
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For 1,100-mile missiles (as well as for 700-mile and 400-mile
increments), the range that most nearly meets all requirements is
IMS-1, Northern Ordos Desert. The launching and impact areas for
missiles of all ranges have good transportation facilities, adequate
water supply, sparse population, suitable terrain, and generally
favorable climate. IMS-2, Southwestern Ordos Desert, ranks lower
because the 400-mile and 700-mile impact areas fall within sand-dune
or mountain regions with limited accessibility and because the
range could not be extended beyond 1,100 nautical miles. The chief
short-coming of the third range, IMS-3, Chi-ning Area, is the lack
of adequate water supplies. Otherwise, only the 1,100 mile impact
area is inadequate. Range IMS-4, An-hsi, generally conforms to
specification, but missiles along the range would overfly Outer
Mongolian territory. IMS-5, Wu-su Area, the least satisfactory of
the 1,100-mile ranges, is selected contingent upon the construction
of a rail connection between Urumchi and Aktogay. It also has a
less favorable climate than the other ranges and high mountains lie
athwart the missile range.
MS-1, Ordos Desert, most nearly meets all requirements for a
700-mile range. Terrain, climatic, and logistic characteristics
are similar to the second ranking 1,100-mile range, and the impact
areas.are readily accessible. The three remaining ranges, MS-2,
MS-3, and MS-4, have suitable launching sites, but one or more of
the impact areas of each falls in sandy deserts where access would
be difficult.
Of the 6 possible ranges suitable only for 400-mile missiles,
S-1, S-2, and S-3 most nearly meet requirements. Terrain, climatic,
and logistic characteristics are suitable for both launching and
impact area installations. Although the launching-site requirements
are met in the remaining three 400-mile ranges, 5-4, S-5, and S-6,
one or more of the impact areas of each range falls in terrain that
is difficult of access.
An extension of the Kapustin Yar 1,600-mile range to 2,000
miles would place most of its impact area astride rugged, moun-
tainous terrain and confine range facilities to the northeastern
end of the impact area.
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COMMUNIST CHINA: EAST-WEST INTERMEDIATE MISSILE RANGES
INK
MAP 1
TERRAIN AND AND TRANSPORTATION
- ? International boundary, demaruted
? ? International boundary, andemareated
? ? International boundary, indefinite
0 National Capital
Selected railroad
Selected road or route
IOC 200
The Great Wall
Salt pan
Sarld.r.
??=, Spot height (in feet)
Selected pass
au? 8,0
I4.004It4.
200 400
Otos..
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27202 9-58
Population densitydkeilnosmiteytelr0 to 50 persons
p
Population density over 50 persons
per square kilometer
All distances are in nautical miles.
Territory within 400 nautical miles
of a non-bloc country
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COMMUNIST CHINA: WESTEAST INTERMEDIATE MISSILE RANGES AND EXTENSION OF KAPUSTIN YAR RANGE
11WW?"dk
i? f
72
MAP 2
(Yd-rnen),:
DESERT
S0
u
?vai)
1-
i
I "r
?E;
grg
kno
S
shang-Ch.
9-.1vrt-Vt: ?
..---,?
(tghttaik
hou.leou
FOUlang
Mien pa-14un
1
rsr-
ca?lwythaii.^E.
c I
GOraithpu,
ng
lirahrnaP"I''
10.-150 Vet
TERRAIN AND AND TRANSPORTATION
International boundary, demarcated
? in ? International boundary, undemarcated
? ? International boundary, indefinite
National capital
Selected railroad
Selected road or route
100 200
The Great Wall
-r= Salt pan
= - Swamp or marsh
400
.2739
Sand area
Spot height (in feet)
Selected pass
600
100
200
Nautical Miles
400
100
600
Statute Miles
200 400
600
1-1 1
Kilometers
SECRET
27200 9-58
Myothyina
h
n-c14?' 1
t.
't?
ss` .
'4/ \
1,A afst,
k
3_24
watow
1,5han-t'04ll
og
CA-0
icor40
.Ettar--1
in 11'e'lb
Shwenyaung
ei-hai Fort
(Chan
LUICHOW
PENINSULA
Luang Prpbang
anh Hoa
BENGAL
G U I. F
TONKIN
MIKAN
(HAI-NA14 TAO)
Youngon
Population density 10 to 50 persons
per square kilometer
Population density over 50 persons
per square kilometer
All distances are in nautical miles.
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did'.....:;::_,.___,___, G:111.11.';'::e
gonad
goi
haina-_ .. ..-....... ............. __stream
ho. -- ..... --..... .............. . ...... ._ stream
hu
dart.
mountain. mountain:P.1;e::
00?^ 1.0
ling mountain ralankge
.
shan .mounlain(s), in...lain range. is:3'km:
shisi strewn
ri
Itoo silo'r' 1 m'n?L'o'ii ._'ni nt aisland
' inrs 1.
tagh
Lula m o it n I a inb plaint's lake
Territory within 400 nautical miles
of a non-bloc country
oci
1?1 S
v 1
I 1A1
cf,r-
\ oag
h
011"
Boundaries and names are not necessardy LI\
those recogn.ed by the U. S. Government 12,0
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COMMUNIST CHINA: MEDIUM MISSILE RANGES
84
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MAP 3
Nizhneudinsk
Zhigalovo
Abakan
ry-
eremkhovo
S T
Leninogorsic
Irkutsk
ultuk
Nerchmsk
obsrigoi
Lkday
Zyryanovsk
? a"he4WYmsnoye
3739
Hadhal
Ulaan Goorn
BuIagan Same
Jrrgalanta
ULAN IBA OR
nYosan Bulag
'Bayan Hangar
? Arbay Heere
Mandel Gobi
Dalen Dzadagad
n si
iYa men
, _0 3
.0.:,g-," , C.
:. \port NI" CFORE-N Z.- .---
?g-''''
,... 0,F L'if.fla-1
, Lung1C
-V
..tien Par
TERRAIN AND TRANSPORTATION
---- International boundary, demarcated
International boundary, undemarcated
? International boundary, indefinite
--- The Great Wall
= Salt pan
Katha
Cao Ban
National capital
Selected railroad
Selected road or route
100 200
Sand area
Spot height (in feet)
Selected pass
Mandalay
R M A
Shwenyaung
Nautical Miles
Statute Miles
0 100 200 400
27203 9-58
K dometerS
SECRET
Toungoo
Population density 10 to 50 persons
per square kilometer
E
anoi
0 R T
?Zty
Luang Prabang
Vinh
102 .
Population density over 50 persons
ung Dan
GULF
anh Hoa TONI<
per square kilometer
All clistonces are in nautical miles.
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GLOSSARY
chiang stream
cliih lake
dalay lake
darya stream
dawan pass
gangri mountair, mountain range
goi trearn
Ret Irearn
he strewn
to lake
In----------------------------------------Pass
long maintain range
lake
nour lake
OM. lake
clan mountaire(s), mountain range. island
shut stream
n mountain range
tagh mourdain(s)
tap Stand
thang plain
lsho lake
mita mountamts)
Territory within 400 nautical miles
of a non-bloc country
those 7ercto:i0zded" by omte
ehGi..7. 7 ,"---.._?ve
Dot
''''rsornn
s'te''Yt. 1\20
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COMMUNIST CHINA: SHORT MISSILE RANGES
66 !shim
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MAP 4
Nizhneudinsk
Nereu"..k
r??????'?"7-
Uuldza
net
- San-leo
Ganges
nisrho6IP'"'
TERRAIN AND TRANSPORTATION
JaIptiai .
eia01114
International boundary, demarcated The Great Wall
? ? International boundary, undemarcated Salt pan
? International boundary, indefinite Swamp or marsh
_
National capital Sand area
Selected railroad
Spot height (in feet)
Pei-hw Fed
iChan.
PENINSULA
Selected road or route Selected pass
100 200 400 600
I I I I i 1 I
Nautical Miles
0 100 200
Statute Miles
27201 9-58
Kilometers
Akyab
&4 y
op
86.1VGAL
T anh MOO
ya..00N
%Otto
Nas..1
GLOSSARY
decal swear.
flee lake
delay lake
Co,ya stream
dawan pass
pearl mountain. mountain range
--------- - --------- ?stream
6' SECRET
Chiengmai
ha strtam
hu Lake
la pass
!mg mountain range
ear lake
Jake
0.10.0
shan rnountainist, mountain range. island
snu, stmarn
Ti mountain range
tagh rnountain(s)
lay island
thane lAiin
Isle lake
uula mountaints1
Population density 10 to 50 persons
per square kilometer
Poptulation density over 50 persons
per !square kilometer
All distanices are in nautical miles.
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........??????????????????????????
Territory within 400 nautical miles
of a non-bloc country
Boundaries ond names are not necessardy
those recognized by the U. S. Government. 120
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