BALAKLAVA MISSILE TEST CENTER MAY 1977--MAY 1978

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B07179A000100430001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 3, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 1, 1978
• Content Type: REPORT

Top Secret
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
BASIC
IMAGERY
INTERPRETATION
REPORT
BALAKLAVA MISSILE TEST CENTER
MAY 1977--MAY 1978 (5)
MISSILE RANGES: NAVAL LAUNCHED FACILITIES
USSR
SEPTEMBER 1978
Top Secret
RCA-17/0005/78
Copy 112
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/03: CIA-RDP78B07179A000100430001-1
Top Secret RUFF
INSTALLATION OR ACTIVITY NAME
Balaklava Missile Test Center, May 1977--May 1978
UTM COORDINATES
NA
GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES CATEGORY EE NO
44-30-14N 033-31-22E
(MTC), USSR, from May 1977 to May 1978 and updates NPIC report
25X1)
25X1
2. (TSR) Significant events that occurred during the reporting period were prepara-
tions for popup testing of a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), including
the arrival of a new popup barge at the Balaklava Submarine Base and Ship Repair Yard
evidence of land-based testing of a STYX missile variant; and change 25X1
in the position and number of bouys in the popup test area.
3. (U) This report includes four photographs and a location map.
4. (TSR) The Balaklava MTC (Figure 1) consists of a submerged launch test facil-
ity; a test equipment support area, Balaklava Submarine Base and Ship Repair Yard; a
former SAMLET research and development launch area, Balaklava Coastal Defense Test
Site CM Tactical Short Range 0 a missile handling area; a liquid pro- 25X1
pellant service area; a missile storage area; a base support area; and instrumentation
sites 1, 2, and 3. This report updates a previous NPIC report.'
New SLBM System
5. (TSR) A photographic study of missile-related equipment provided evidence that
a new SLBM is probably being popup tested at Balaklava MTC. Analysis also indicates
meters.
6. (TSR) In May 1977 a new probable SLBM missile transporter was seen in the
missile handling area (a second transporter was seen at the facility in October 1977). The
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/03: CIA-RDP78B07179A000100430001-1
Top Secret RUFFI
long and is comparable in length to the SS-N-18 transporter. However, analysis of the
wheelbase and fender location and the absence of an auxiliary box behind the prime
mover indicated that the new transporter does not have the same chassis as the SS-N-18
transporter, but it is on the style of a flatbed trailer.' The trailer portion was0 25X1
long and when seen on imagery of it had handling cradles with an 25X1
inner diameter of25X1
7. (TSR) Accompanying the transporter was a flatbed truck with an unidentified
canvas-covered object (Figure 2). The object was approximately and 25X1
could have been a launch-assist device for the missile to be tested from the popup barge.
8. (TSR) Probable missile handling rings were seen near the new transporters on
several occasions and on a dock at the submarine base where the popup barges are
moored. The rings ranged in size from in outside diameter and 25X1
when measurable had inside diameters of the same size as the inner diameter 25X1
of the cradles on the transporter.
9. (TSR) On a new SLBM popup barge (Figure 4), built at Nikola- 25X1
yev Shipyard Nosenko 444 arrived at the submarine base. The barge 25X1
was probably constructed to simulate. a section of the missile bay of a fleet ballistic
missile submarine, nuclear propelled (SSBN). It had two outer doors similar in shape
-44?30'
BALAKLAVA
SUBMARINE BASE
AND SHIP REPAIR
YARD
hTIC S-5769
BALAK LAVA MISSILE
TEST CENTER
 I Top Secret RUFF
and location to those seen on the missile bay of the Delta-class SSBN. The doors were at
least and possibly long and~wide, Olonger and
wider than the outer doors of the Delta-class SSBN. When two possible frames
for the missile tube doors were seen at Nikolayev, both had diameter inner
framing support sections.
10. (TSR) Considering the length of the trailer chassis, the dimensions of the cra-
dles on the trailer, the diameter of the missile handling rings, and the size of the missile
tube doors of the new popup barge, it is reasonable to assume that the new SLBM will
Analysis of imagery over these periods
revealed a vehicle that could function as a possible firing platform for the system. The
vehicle, a possible canister transporter/launcher (Figure 5), was seen on imagery of D
in the missile handling area. It h
ad an overall le
ngth of with a
canister/launch tube. A vehi
cle of similar di
mensions was also seen at
that position on
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X J
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/03: CIA-RDP78B07179A000100430001-1
Top Secret RUFF 25X1
12. (TSR) The possible canister transporter/launcher is similar in appearance to
the canister-type trans orter/launchers seen at Kapustin Yar Cruise Missile Test Com-
plex D Marciena Missile S
upport Facility
and Pro- 25X1
zhany Army Barracks The
vehicles at these fa
cilities were reported as 25X1
possible remote-piloted vehicle/drone related." The vehicle at Balaklava differs from the
others in that it is 1 meter shorter and lacks end caps, but the canister portion is
dimensionally compatible with the STYX missile.'
13. (TSR) The site previously used in the testing of land-based cruise missile sys-
tems at Balaklava is apparently inactive since it is overgrown with vegetation, and no
missile-related activity has been seen there since before the STYX missile firings began.'
Popup Test Area
14. (TSR) In July 1977 the number of stabilization buoys at the Balaklava MTC
offshore popup area increased from four to eight, signifying that two popup test programs
were possibly being planned. (The last time eight buoys were seen. in the test area was
between 1968 and 1971, when the SS-N-8 and another missile, possibly the SS-N-9, were
believed to be undergoing simultaneous popup testing.) Four of the eight buoys were
probably related to the new SLBM popup barge (platform 8) which arrived at the
submarine base in August 1977. The other four buoys are probably related to either the
cruise missile barge or the twin-tube popup barge.-,
Changes Within the Missile Storage Area
15. (TSR) The only change within the area has been the reduction of SS-N-2 crates
Construction Activity
16. (TSR) The most significant physical change to the facility has been the in-
creased security around the missile handling area and instrumentation site 2. Both areas
are now double-fence secured.
 ' Top Secret RUFF
(TSR) All inter retable KEYHOLE imagery from October 1976
was used in the preparation of this report.
MAPS OR CHARTS
2nd RTS. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet 0250-25, scale 1:200,000 (UNCLASSIFIED)
DOCUMENTS
1. NPIC.
RCA-17/0002/77, Balaklava Missile Test Center, January 1976--May 1977, Jul
25X1
25X1
2. NPIC.I
SR-054/77, Possible New Missile Trans orter at Balaklava Missile Test Center,
25X1
USSR (S), Aug 77 (TOP SECRET
25X1
3. NPIC.
SR-007/78, Estimated Dimensions of New Soviet SLBM (TSR), Jan 78 (TOP
25X1
SECRET
25X1
4. NSA. K/00/8852/77, TAG FAER RU SS-N-2C/STYX Missile D7 lays Sea-Skimming Cruise Capabil-
ity, Aug 77 (TOP SECRET
5. NPIC.O SR-037/78, Possible Firin Platform for the SS-N-2C (STYX Variant) Missile in
the USSR (TSRZ), Apr 78 (TOP SECRET
6. NPIC. SR-050/77 De to ment o a Possible New RPV/Drone in USSR (S), Jul 77 (TOP
SECRE
7. NPIC.O SR-045/78, Po u Test Activity at Balaklava Missile Test Center, USSR (TSR),
Jun 78 (TOP SECRET
REQUIREMENT
COMIREX ROl
Project 280003DR
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to
Soviet Strategic Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
 List of Conversion Factors by Classification
MILLIMETERS
0.0394
INCHES
KILOGRAMS
2.2046
POUNDS(AVOIR.)
CENTIMETERS
0.3937
INCHES
POUNDSIAVOIR.)
0.4536
KILOGRAMS
INCHES
25.4000
MILLIMETERS
SHORT TONS
0.9072
METRIC TONS
INCHES
2.5400
CENTIMETERS
METRIC TONS
1.1023
SHORT TONS
FEET
0.3048
METERS
METRIC TONS
0.9842
LONG TONS
FEET
0.0003
KILOMETERS
LONG TONS
1.0160
METRIC TONS
YARDS
0.9144
METERS
METERS
3.2808
FEET
METERS
0.0005
MILESINAUTICAL)
METERS
1.0936
YARDS
KILOMETERS
3280.8400
FEET
KILOMETERS
0.6214
MILESISTATUTE)
KILOMETERS
0.5400
MILESINAUTICAL)
LITERS
0.2642
GALLONS
MILES(STATUTE)
1.6093
KILOMETERS
LITERS
0.0063
BARRELS(POL)
MILES(NAUTICAL)
6076.1154
FEET
LITERS
0.0010
CUBIC METERS
MILES(NAUTICAL)
1.8520
KILOMETERS
GALLONS
3.7854
LITERS
MILES(NAUTICAL)
1852.0000
METERS
GALLONS
0.1337
CUBIC FEET
GALLONS
0.0238
BARRELS(POL)
GALLONS
0.0038
CUBIC METERS
BUSHELS
0.0352
CUBIC METERS
CUBIC FEET
7.4805
GALLONS
CUBIC FEET
0.1781
BARRELS(POL)
SQUARE CENTIMETERS
0.1550
SQUARE INCHES
CUBIC FEET
0.0283
CUBIC METERS
SQUARE INCHES
6.4516
SQUARE CENTIMETERS
CUBIC YARDS
0.7646
CUBIC METERS
SQUARE FEET
0.0929
SQUARE METERS
BARRELS(POL)
158.9873
LITERS
SQUARE YARDS
0.8361
SQUARE METERS
BAR RELS(PGL)
42.0000
GALLONS
SQUARE METERS
10.7639
SQUARE FEET
BARRELS(POL)
5.6146
CUBIC FEET
SQUARE METERS
1.1960
SQUARE YARDS
BARRELS(POL)
0.1590
CUBIC METERS
SQUARE METERS
1.0000
CENTARES
CUBIC METERS
1000.0000
LITERS
SQUARE METERS
0.0002
ACRES
CUBIC METERS
264.1721
GALLONS
SQUARE METERS
0.0001
HECTARES
CUBIC METERS
35.3147
CUBIC FEET
ACRES
4046.8564
SQUARE METERS
CUBIC METERS
28.3776
BUSHELS
ACRES
0.4047
HECTARES
CUBIC METERS
6.2898
BARRELS(POL)
HECTARES
10000.0000
SQUARE METERS
CUBIC METERS
1.3080
CUBIC YARDS
HECTARES
2.4711
ACRES
 Top Secret
Top Secret