SHORT TAKE-OFF RAMP UNDER CONSTRUCTION SAKI AIRFIELD, USSR (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90T00784R000100250004-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 9, 2011
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: June 11, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/09: CIA-RDP90T00784R000100250004-4
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SHORT TAKE-OFF RAMP UNDER CONSTRUCTION
SAKI AIRFIELD, USSR
I
25X1
(S/D) SIGNIFICANCE: THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SHORT TAKE-OFF RAMP
(SKI JUMP-TYPE) AT SAKI AIRFIELD INDICATES CONTINUED SOVIET
INTEREST IN IMPROVING SHIPBOARD BASING OF VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND
LANDING (VTOL) AIRCRAFT.
(S/D) REMARKS: THE SHORT TAKE-OFF RAMP WAS IDENTIFIED UNDER ^-
RAMP IS 1 KM NORTHEAST OF SAKI EXPERIMENTAL CATAPULT FACILITY
AT THE SITE OF A SIMULATED SHIPBOARD STRUCTURE PREVIOUSLY
IDENTIFIED AS AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT-ARRESTING GEAR FOR USE
ON A CONVENTIONAL AIRCRAFT CARRIER. THE COMPLETED RAMP WILL BE
(S/D) I THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE SIDE 25X1
FRAMES OF THE RAMP WERE IN PLACE OVER DECK PLATES ON THE
SIMULATED SHIPBOARD STRUCTURE. THE SHALLOW END OF THE RAMP HAD
BEEN COVERED WITH STEEL PLATES. TWO FRAMES WHICH 25X1
SLOPE UP WERE ALSO PRESENT AT THE SITE. A 25X1
RECTANGULAR FRAME WHICH IS 25X1
PROBABLY THE END-SUPPORT ALSO PRESENT. FRAMEWORK FOR
THE RAMP WAS FIRST SEEN AND WAS IDENTIFIED AS 25X1
SUPPORTS FOR AN EXPERIMENTAL WEB-TYPE AIRCRAFT BARRIER.
(S/D) ANALYST'S COMMENTS -- EXTENSIVE TESTS. IN THE UNITED
STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN INDICATE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN
RANGE, PAYLOAD AND PILOT SAFETY FOR VTOL AIRCRAFT WHEN USING A
RAMP RATHER THAN A VERTICAL TAKE-OFF. STRIKE CAPABILITY OF THE
KIEV-CLASS AIRCRAFT CARRIERS COULD BE ENHANCED BY THE
INSTALLATIONS OF SHORT TAKE-OFF RAMPS WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE
ABILITY TO LAUNCH FORGER AIRCRAFT AT HIGHER GROSS WEIGHTS WITH
GREATER RANGE. 25X1
(S) COORDINATES 45-05-35N 033-36-Z1E 25X1
These notes have been prepared for briefing purposes only and should not be used for detailed ana-
lytical work. Their use should be restricted to the particular briefing board(s) they were prepared for
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Z-15245/82
NPIC/IEG (6/82)
11 JUNE 1982
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/09: CIA-RDP90T00784R000100250004-4