MODIFIED FLOTATION DEVICE SUPPORT PATTERN AT SEVERODVINSK SHIPYARD 402, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84T00171R000300440001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 25, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 1, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1
NOFORN
imagery analysis report
Modified Flotation Device Support Pattern at
Severodvinsk Shipyard 402, USSR (S)
Z-12112/83
IA R-0077/83
NOVEMBER 1983
Copy 46
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000300440001-1
 25X1
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1
 Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1
SECRET
NOFORN
MODIFIED FLOTATION DEVICE SUPPORT PATTERN
AT SEVERODVINSK SHIPYARD 402, USSR (S)
25X1
1. Launch preparations have been underway on launch rail C at Severodvinsk Shipyard 402
USSR, since The arrangement of flotation device supports (FDSs) on 25X1
launch rail C at construction hall 1 indicates that a modified D-III nuclear-powered ballistic
missile submarine (SSBN) or a D-III follow-on will be launched in the near future. (S/WN)
2. Flotation devices are used to float submarines off the transfer dollies to the fitting-out
quay via the deep-water portion of the launch basin (Figure 1). A floating crane is used to place
the flotation devices on pads mounted on the submerged, sawhorse-shaped FDSs after a subma-
rine is rolled out of the construction hall (Figure 2). Each flotation device rests on two FDSs. Prior
to rollout, the FDSs are arranged in a specific pattern that has been different for each class of
submarine. The FDS pattern observed on launch rail C on was similar to the pattern 25X1
used for the launches of D-III SSBN units 11 through 14, when 12 FDSs were used on each side of
the launch rail. However, four FDSs have been added, for a total of 14 on each side of the launch
rail (Figure 3); this FDS pattern will support 14 flotation devices. The additional FDSs have been
positioned forward of those in the standard D-III SSBN pattern and will be used to support one
additional flotation device on each side of the bow. Two sizes of flotation devices, large and
small, are used at Severodvinsk. The large flotation devices are approximately 10 meters long, 6
meters wide, and 7 meters high, and the small devices are approximately 10 meters long, 3 meters
wide, and 7 meters high. Analysis of imagery acquired of previous launches suggests that a
combination of ten large and four small flotation devices will be used; however, a combination of
12 large and two small devices is also possible. Either of the above combinations will provide the
greatest total lifting capacity yet used for any submarine rolled out of construction hall 1. The
total lifting capacity of the flotation devices has increased with each new class submarine con-
structed in construction hall 1 (Figure 4 and Table 1). (S/WN)
3. The addition of two flotation devices to the standard D-III configuration suggests that a
heavier D-111-type submarine (unit 15) will be rolled out of the hall. The D-III SSBNs are equipped
with the SS-N-18 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). A follow-on to the SS-N-18 SLBM,
the SS-NX-23 (formerly the NE-05), is presently being tested at Nenoksa Naval Missile Test Center
and is probably heavier than the SS-N-18. The additional flotation devices at the 25X1
bow could be necessary to offset the additional ballast weight required on a submarine equipped
with the SS-NX-23. (S/WN)
4. The modification of the FDS pattern could also indicate that unit 15 is a longer submarine.
The additional FDSs have been positioned approximately 10 meters closer to the door of the
construction hall than the FDSs in the standard D-III FDS. pattern, and the standard portion of this
FDS pattern is approximately 8 meters farther from the door than the pattern used for D-III units
11 through 14 (Figure 5). An upgraded torpedo tube-launched weapons system or an improved
sonar on this submarine may require a longer bow area. (S/WN)
WNINTEL
Z-12112/83
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1
 Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1
Iq
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1
 Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1
Table 1.
Flotation Devices and FDSs for Classes of SSBNs Constructed in Construction
Hall 1 at Severodvinsk Shipyard 402, USSR
SSBN Construction No of No of Flotation Equivalent
Class Period FDSs Used Devices Used To
Late 1966-
24
4 large and
8 large flotation devices
Aug 1972
8 small
Jan 1972-
28
4 large and
9 large flotation devices
Aug 1974
10 small
Late 1974-
32
4 large and
10 large flotation devices
Jul 1975
12 small
D-III
units 1 -10
Late 1975-
Apr 1979
32
6 large and
10 small
11 large flotation devices
D-III
units 11 -14
Late 1979-
Late 1981
24
10 large and
2 small
11 large flotation devices
Mod D-III
Ucon
28
10 large and
12 large flotation
(unit 15)
4 small (prob)
devices (prob)
This table in its entirety is classified SECRET/WNINTEL
Z-12112/83 SECRET
IAR-0077/83
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1 ___
 Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84TO0171 RO0O3O044O0O1-1
D-III SSBN
Units 1-10
D-III SSBN FDS PATTERN FOR
Units 11-14 Mod D-I11 SSBN
16 iISL'l_16
LDGI
$1
NPIC T?7599
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84TO0171 RO0O3O044O0O1-1
 Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1
 Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1
SECRET
All applicable satellite imagery acquired from September 1966 through
the preparation of this report. (S/WN)
Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They
et Strategic Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
_z_
Z-12112/83 S E CR:ET
may be directed to
25X1
25X1
25X1
20A 1
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1
 Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1
Secret
Secret
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300440001-1