MOBILE MISSILE-RELATED ACTIVITY AT PLESETSK MISSILE/SPACE TEST CENTER SSM, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T01782R000200030001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 28, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 1, 1980
• Content Type: REPORT

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Imagery anolysI report
Mobile Missile-Related Activity at Plesetsk
Missile/Space Test Center SSM, USSR (S)
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SEPTEMBER 1980
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MOBILE MISSILE-RELATED ACTIVITY AT PLESETSK MISSILE/SPACE
TEST CENTER SSM, USSR (S)
1. (TSR) The observation of troop formations, construction of SS-16/-20 vehicle mockups,
the presence of two large canvas-covered structures, and recent construction indicated that Ple-
setsk Mobile ICBM Facilities I and 2 at Plesetsk Missile/Space 25X1
Test Center (MSTC) SSM USSR, were occupied and that training was occurring 25X1
in and near these facilities (Figure 1).
2. (S/D) In mid-1979, there were several indications that both mobile facilities 1 and 2 were
occupied by substantial numbers of troops. On at mobile facility I, eight separate troop 25X1
formations and two buses were near the main entrance (Figure 2). Eight troop formations were
seen again on in the housing area. On at mobile facility 2, five troop formations 25X1
were in front of an I1-bay garage in the operations area, and vehicle tracks led to at least two and
possibly five bays of the 11-bay garage (Figure 3). Although vehicle tracks were often observed
around the multibay garages at both facilities, the observation represents one of the 25X1
best examples.
3. (TSR) Construction was started on two probable SS-16/-20 vehicle mockups between[:] 25X1
in the operations area of mobile facility 2. The two probable mockup frame- 25X1
works were aligned with an existing mockup of an SS-16/-20-associated van truck 25X1
(Figure 4) which was constructed in September 1978. Similar SS-16/-20 vehicle mockups have been
constructed at SS-20 mobile bases and were probably used for training. Since support vehicles for
both the SS-20 IRBM and the SS-16 ICBM mobile systems are apparently the same, it would pot
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be unusual to see similar training with vehicle mockups at Plesetsk, where the SS-16 was tested
from 1972 until early 1976.
4. (S/D) Probable upgrading of troop housing and support structures was underway at
mobile facility 1. A new three-story barracks/administration building, one two-story barracks, and
a probable new recreation building have been constructed. Since early 1980, seven older single-
story barracks have been razed in the housing area. At mobile facility 2, existing barracks are
multistory, and only a new messhall has been constructed recently.
5. (TSR) Between a rectangular framework covered with camouflage
canvas/netting (Figure 5 was erected over a rail siding at the Plesetsk ICBM Rail-to-Road Trans-
fer Point The structure is and was still present on
A section of the rail was covered with earth at the southern end of the structure,
probably to facilitate vehicle access for transloading operations. Similar canvas-covered structures
have been erected at several SS-20-associated RTPs. The RTP at Plesetsk is approximately 6
kilometers (km) south of mobile facility I and was once used to support SS-7 propellant transload-
ing.
6. (TSR) In June 1979, a open-sided, drive-through wooden
structure was under construction along the edge of a tree line 6 km east of mobile facility 2. The
structure was completed by The open sides had been covered with sheets of canvas by E
the canvas sheeting had been staked on either side of the structure, giving it
a tentlike appearance. The canvas cover has been maintained since the summer of 1979. The
structure was still present when last seen on
7. (TSR) On vehicle tracks led to and probably through the structure, indicat-
ing that it was being used (Figure 6). Similar vehicle tracks were also seen in the snow during
March and April 1980. The only vehicle seen near the structure was a bus parked near the west end
of the structure on 0 This structure is across the road from a tree clearing where five
canvas-covered SS-16 vehicles (Figure 6) were seen in July 1974. Although the purpose of this
structure is not known, its presence near an area previously used for probable field training
suggests that similar activity may be occurring.
8. (TSR) As early as September 1977, a large sheet of camouflage canvas was observed lying
on the pavement in the operations area of mobile facility I. in October 1979, several sheets of
canvas were spread on the pavement in front of the clerestory building at mobile facility 2.
Although observations of this kind are not frequent, they indicate that mobile missile-associated
vehicles are probably at these facilities.
9. (TSR) Historically, unprecedented concealment efforts were observed at Plesetsk during
the SS-16 ICBM development program. The extensive use of canvas/netting to conceal activity
and equipment was observed prior to and during the flight test program. Concealment and the
apparent use of strict measures to deny overhead observation is apparently continuing. Since the
end of the SS-16 flight test program in April 1976, construction has continued at facilities associ-
ated with the mobile missile program. This was evidenced by the construction of multibay garages,
high-bay maintenance buildings, and possible warhead handling buildings.
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10. (TSR) Extensive coniferous forests cover large areas of the test range, a limiting factor
which affords excellent areas for concealment of vehicles during daylight hours. Vehicle track
activity and secondary roads lead into these forested areas around mobile facilities I and 2 and
launch sites 5 and 6. Once vehicles enter the tree cover, their presence is almost impossible to
detect. Another limiting factor which denies visual observation of vehicular activity is the long
periods of cloud cover which are more prevalent in the Plesetsk area than at the Kapustin Yar and
Tyuratam MSTCs. Because of these factors, the lack of ground support equipment and launch-
related vehicle observations in or near these support facilities is not surprising.
11. (TSR) Although there was no direct evidence to suggest that mobile facilities I and 2
were being used as operational bases, it is possible that training or equipment reliability checkout
for a mobile ICBM system is underway. To maintain readiness in terms of mobile crew training or
to develop scenarios for future mobile ICBM systems would not be inconsistent with Soviet
planning.
MAPS OR CHARTS
ACIC. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet FP0102-9HL, scale 1:200,000 (SECRET)
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. The , may be directed to
Strategic Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
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