Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Pm
e
E OR
MUMMOM MUTE
basic-imagery 6nterpvetatu?n Pepovt
BIE: Va ous
Usst
NAVAL BASE FACOLOTOES
Q2) uk_L7 u
25X1 I
Z-12?76/83
INCA-66/0001/83
? O:On T C:IYI BLE l 1983
copy 3 6
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
1 I
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Soviet Naval Air Cushion Vehicle Developments
CIA. Base Map 77716, USSR
Installation
Name
Geographic
Coordinates
Murmansk/Gryaznaya 69-03-46N
Guba Seaplane Station 033-17-34E
Chalmpushka Roslyakova 69-03-28N
Ship Repair Yard 033-13-03E
Leningrad Boatyard 59-57-21N
Dekabristov 030-15-20E
Baltiysk Naval Base 54-38-33N
019-54-34E
Khabarovsk Naval Base 48-34-27N
Ostrov Zayachiy 135-01-48E
Feodosiya Naval Base 45-01-32N
and Ship Repair Yard 035-23-36E
Feodosiya Shipyard 45-07-11N
Yuznaya Tochka 035-29-54E
Ozero Donuzlav 45-23-49N
Amphibious Force Base 033-08-08E
Vladivostok Naval 43-05-32N
Repair Yard Diomid 131-53-53E
Vladivostok Naval Base 42-58-31N
Ostrov Russiky 131-48-15E
Baku Naval Base and 40-20-53N
Ship Repair Yard 049-50-48E
information cutoff date of this report is (S/WN)
See below See below See below See below
BE No Category COMIREX NIETB
ABSTRACT
1. The Soviets have made a significant investment in the military application of air cushion
vehicles (ACVs). Since 1967, five classes of ACVs have been produced. Additionally, the Soviets
have increased the number of operational bases to six and have made improvements to the two
production facilities. (S/WN)
2. This report, discussing Soviet ACVs, provides a brief historical perspective of the Soviet
ACV program and a description of each class of ACV and associated facilities. Twenty-three
annotated photographs, a location map, two line drawings, and two tables are included. The
WNINTF_ L
Z-12076/83
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
INTRODUCTION
3. It was not until 1960 that the Soviet military became actively involved in air cushion
technology. The first large experimental naval ACV was completed in 1967 at Leningrad Boatyard
Dekabristov (Figure 1). This vehicle-the MS-01 (Figure 2)-was a 30-ton craft designed by Firma
Almaz, the Soviet high-speed design bureau? The MS-01 served as a research and development
testbed from which operational ACVs evolved. (S/WN)
4. Since the launching of the MS-01 in 1967, the Soviets have become preeminent in military
ACV production. They have produced five classes of naval ACVs and have the largest number of
operational units in the world. Also, the Soviets have built the world's largest military ACV, the
Aist. Table 1 illustrates ACV production in the Soviet Union. (S/WN)
5. The five classes of ACVs in the Soviet inventory are the Aist-class air cushion utility
landing craft (LCUA), the Lebed-class air cushion medium landing craft (LCMA), the Utenok-class
LCMA, the Tsaplya-class LCMA, and the Gus-class air cushion personnel landing craft (LCPA).
(S/WN)
6. Two major naval ACV production plants-one at Leningrad on the Baltic Sea and one at
Feodosiya on the Black Sea-are involved in, or have been involved in, extensive expansion
programs. At least two classes of ACVs-the Aist LCUA and the Tsaplya LCMA-are being pro-
duced at these plants. (S/WN)
7. The Soviets have six facilities where ACV overhaul, repair, and maintenance are per-
formed. These facilities consist of conventional repair yards, where various types of marine craft
are repaired, and more specialized facilities, which have been specifically configured to support
ACVs. (S/WN)
8. The Soviets have six ACV operating bases; three of these bases are new, and two have
recently been enlarged. ACV activity has included participation in Warsaw Pact exercises in both
the Baltic and the Black Seas. ACV deployment is illustrated in Table 2. (S/WN)
BASIC DESCRIPTION
Air Cushion Utility Landing Craft
9. The Aist LCUA (Figure 3) is the world's
largest operational military ACV. Like the
much smaller and less capable Gus LCPA, the
Aist was designed and developed by the Firma
Almaz Bureau; the first prototype was ob-
served at Leningrad Boatyard Dekabristov in
May 1967. Since then, 15 units have been built
at Dekabristov. The 15-year-production run of
this unit is the longest for any class of Soviet
ACVs. There have been no indications that
series production will cease. Two new units
became operational in 1982, and one new unit
was launched in August 1983 but has not yet
been observed at an operational base. (S/WN)
10. The Aist is equipped with bow and
stern ramps, giving it a drive-through capabil-
ity for up to three modern armored personnel
carriers (APCs) and over 100 men. The vehi-
cle's cargo capacity as well as its high-speed
and long-range abilities make it a valuable
asset in the Baltic and Black Sea Fleets. The
Aist has not yet been deployed to the Pacific
or Northern Fleets. (S/WN)
Air Cushion Medium Landing Craft
11. The Lebed LCMA (Figure 4) is the
first Soviet ACV with an enclosed well deck. It
is capable of not only carrying vehicles but
also of being transported long distances in an
R CA-06/0001/83
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
SECRET
Table 1.
Estimated Soviet Production of
ACV, 1969-1982
Class Shipyard
Total Produ
ction Dates
Gus Leningrad Bo
Dekabristov
atyard
4 1969
-1970
Aist Dekabristov
15 (2 1969-
present
Lebed Dekabristov
0-2" 1972-
1973
Gus Feodosiya Sh
Yuzhnaya Toc
ipyard
hka
27 1971 -
1976
Lebed Yuzhnaya Toc
hka
14-16" 1974-
1980
Utenok Yuzhnaya Toc
hka
2 1981 -
1982
Tsaplya Yuzhnaya Toc
hka
1 (1-2) 1982-
present
Data in parentheses provides the estimated number of ACVs under construction.
The first two Lebeds may have been built at either yard.
This table in its entirety is classified
Table 2.
Soviet Deployment of ACVs,
Fleet and Base
Aist
Gus
Lebed
Utenok
T
saplya
Baltic Sea Fleet
Baltiysk Naval Base
Black Sea Fleet
8
10
4
0
0
Ozero Donuzlav Amphibious
Force Base
Pacific Fleet
6
0
4
2
1
Vladivostok Naval Base
Ostrov Russiky
0
0
4
0
0
Khabarovsk Naval Base
Ostrov Zayachiy
Northern Fleet
0
14
0
0
0
Murmansk/Gryaznaya
Guba Seaplane Station
Caspian Sea Flotilla
0
0
4
0
0
Baku Naval Base
0
5
0
0
0
Unlocated or Stricken
1
2
0
0
0
Totals
15
31
16
2
1
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
-~_jP MURMANSK
5._BALTIYSK }
l,LENINGRAU
r OZERO DONUZLAV
?
?-"--SEVASTOPOL
FEODOSIYA
FIGURE 1. LOCATIONS OF ACV FACILITIES, USSR
KHABAROVSK
VLADIVOSTOK~0/
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Iq
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
SECRET
amphibious ship. Lebeds can be transported as
deck cargo on a transport/cargo ship, or two
Lebeds can be transported inside the flooda-
ble well deck of the Ivan Rogov-class am-
phibious assault transport dock (LPD; Figure
5). (S/WN)
12. The first unit of the Lebed was not
observed until it had been deployed to
Baltiysk Naval Base, an operational base, in
early 1973. In November of that year, unit 2
was observed at Dekabristov; this unit, like the
first, was complete when it was first observed.
This was the only time that the Lebed was
observed at Dekabristov. It is not known
whether the first two units of the Lebed were
constructed at Dekabristov or at Feodosiya
Shipyard Yuznaya Tochka, where the subse-
quent 14 units were constructed. (S/WN)
13. The Utenok LCMA (Figure 6), for-
merly the Yuz-B, was first observed at Feo-
dosiya Shipyard Yuznaya Tochka in April 1979,
when the first unit was being fitted-out. A
second unit was subsequently observed at this
facility. This class is slightly smaller than the
Lebed LCMA but probably has better sea-
keeping ability. Only two units have been
built; both units had been deployed to Ozero
Donuzlav Amphibious Force Base by 1982.
(S/WN)
Tsaplya LCMA
14. On the Tsaplya
LCMA (Figure 7) was observed for the first
time at Feodosiya Shipyard Yuznaya Tochka.
This vehicle-originally given the interim de-
signation of Yuzh-D-appears to be an im-
proved design of the Lebed and may be in-
tended as a replacement or a follow-on. The
Tsaplya strongly resembles the Lebed although
it is slightly larger, has a central pilot house,
repositioned lift fans, a sloping foredeck, and
increased armament. The enlarged size proba-
bly increases the lift capability, which is neces-
sary for transporting heavier T-72 and T-80
tanks. The sloping foredeck may provide im-
proved stability and may prevent water inges-
tion by the engines. Armament has been in-
creased from one Gatling gun to probably
three. The Tsaplya LCMA is presently at
Ozero Donuzlav, probably undergoing test-
ing. Only one unit has been observed al-
though additional units are probably under
construction. (S/WN)
SECRET RCA-0610001183
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Iq
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
SECRET
Air Cushion Personnel Landing Craft
15. The Gus LCPA (Figure 8) was the first
Soviet military ACV to go into series pro-
duction. This vehicle was designed by the
Firma Almaz Bureau. The first four units were
built at Leningrad Boatyard Dekabristov, and
the first unit was observed there in April 1969.
After four units were constructed, the pro-
duction site was moved to Feodosiya Shipyard
Yuznaya Tochka, where 27 additional units
were built from 1971 to 1976. Twelve of the
Feodosiya units were transported in sections to
Khabarovsk Shipyard Ussuri South 876 (BE
in the Soviet Far East, where they
were reassembled for deployment along the
Sino-Soviet border. Two additional units were
later transported intact to the Far East. (S/WN)
RCA-06/0001/83
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
SECRET
FIGURE 9. SURA AGL (GUS MOTHER SHIP)
16. The Gus LCPA is used for amphibious
assault and has been observed participating in
Warsaw Pact exercises in the Baltic, where the
Soviet Navy has used the Sura-class buoy ten-
der (AGL) as a transport and mother ship (Fig-
ure 9). The use of the Sura AGL significantly
increases the range of the Gus and permits its
use with conventional task forces. Addition-
ally, the Gus is used as a river border patrol
vessel in the Soviet Far East, where it is based
at Khabarvosk Naval Base Ostrov Zayachiy on
the Amur River near the Sino-Soviet border.
(S/WN)
Construction Facilities
Leningrad Boatyard Dekabristov
17. Leningrad Boatyard Dekabristov (Fig-
ure 10) was the first facility to be involved in
the construction of military ACVs. ACVs pro-
duced there include the MS-01 experimental
prototype; the Gus LCPA; possibly the first
two Lebed LCMA; and the Aist LCUA, which is
still in series production. (S/WN)
18. ACV-related improvements at Deka-
bristov began in 1965 with the excavation for
the first of two ACV construction halls. This
construction represented the Soviet Union's
early commitment to ACV production, even
before the first prototype was tested in 1967.
(S/WN)
19. Since the mid-60s, the first construc-
tion hall has been completed, an administra-
tion building has been expanded, and a 10-
story office building has been constructed. A
second construction hall was completed in
1982. The completion of this second hall dou-
bled the available floorspace for the prod-
uction of ACVs; production could rise from
one or two per year to three or four per year.
(S/WN)
SECRET RCA-06/0001/83
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
SECRET
Feodosiya Shipyard Yuznaya Tochka
20. Feodosiya Shipyard Yuznaya Tochka
(Figure 11) has been the primary construction
site for the production of all Soviet naval
ACVs, except the Aist LCUA. This shipyard is
involved in the production of commercial and
naval hydrofoils and patrol boats as well as
ACVs. (S/WN)
21. A major expansion program for this
facility began in 1976. This program includes
the construction of two large construction
halls, a large transverser/launchway, an ad-
minstration annex, and a probable wing-in-
ground effect (WIG)/ACV vehicle ramp. The
construction hall floorspace at the shipyard
will be more than doubled when the two large
construction halls are complete. The first
hall-externally complete-probably will be
used for ACV production. The second hall-in
the mid-stage of construction-is twice the
height of the first, resembles an aircraft assem-
bly building, and will probably be used for
construction of the KASP-B WIG vehicle.
(S/WN)
Repair and Maintenance Facilities
Baltiysk ACV Overhaul/Repair Facility
22. Baltiysk Naval Base is the operational
base for the largest contingent of ACVs. To
provide for major repair and systematic over-
haul of ACVs assigned to this base, the Soviets
have constructed a small overhaul/repair facil-
ity there. This overhaul/repair facility (Figure
12) consists of a small transverser, a platen
area, and an open storage area. In addition,
two small floating drydocks (YFDLs) are avail-
able for repair and for transferring the ACVs to
or from the transverser. These YFDLs are also
used to repair conventional vessels. As many
as two ACVs are usually undergoing repair at
this facility. (S/WN)
Baltiysk ACV Maintenance/Fuel Facility
23. Construction of a unique ACV main-
tenance/fuel facility (Figure 13) began in 1980
at Baltiysk. This facility was constructed be-
tween the two ACV parking facilities and con-
sists of a large ACV ramp, a large parking
apron, and a support building. Centrally lo-
cated on the apron are three covered
trenches, each with two circular points. ACVs
have been parked over the covered trenches,
and it is believed that preventive maintenance
and fueling are performed there. The facility is
well lighted for nighttime operations. (S/WN)
Feodosiya Naval Base and Ship Repair Yard
24. Feodosiya Naval Base and Ship Repair
yard (Figure 14) serves as a support base for
naval missile trials and tests in the Black Sea
and also as the maintenance and repair facility
for Black Sea Fleet ACVs. This facility is close
to the ACV construction facility at Feodosiya
Yuznaya Tochka, which probably provides
technical support for repair of ACVs. Aist
LCUAs are usually repaired at one of the
facilities at Sevasto of Ship Repair Yard Pa-
naiotova Bay Figure 15), as
their size precludes repair at Feodosiya.
(S/WN)
Vladivostok Naval Base and Repair Yard
Diomid
25. Maintenance and overhaul of Pacific
Fleet-based Lebed LCMAs are performed at
Vladivostok Naval Base and Repair Yard Di-
omid (Figure 16). This facility primarily serves
as a repair base for medium-sized naval vessels
and conventional submarines. Although this
repair yard supports Pacific Fleet Lebed
LCMAs, no special ACV facilities are present.
Gus LCPAs are maintained at an operational
base at Khabarovsk. (S/WN)
Chalmpushka/Roslyakova Ship Repair Yard
26. Chalmpushka (Figure 17) is the only
facility in the Northern Fleet where ACV repair
and maintenance have been observed. ACVs
were first observed at this facility in August
1983, when a Lebed was undergoing mainte-
nance. This facility primarily serves as a minor
repair base for Northern Fleet submarines and
surface combatants. ACV maintenance may be
observed at additional Northern Fleet repair
bases in the future. (S/WN)
- 13 -
Z-12076/83 SECRET
RCA-06/0001/83
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Iq
Next 6 Page(s) In Document Denied
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
SECRET
Operating Bases
Baltiysk Naval Base
27. The ACV facilities at Baltiysk Naval
Base (Figure 18) are strategically located on the
central Baltic coast and are the most extensive
in the Soviet Union. These facilities comprise
a repair/overhaul area, a maintenance/fueling
area, and two separate parking areas. The
parking areas consist of two large parking
ramps that slope into the water. Gus LCPA and
Lebed LCMAs park on one ramp, and Aist
LCUAs park on the other. ACVs from Baltiysk
have participated in numerous Warsaw Pact
exercises in the Baltic. (S/WN)
Z-12076/83
RCA-06/0001/83
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
SECRET
Ozero Donuzlav Amphibious Force Base
28. Ozero Donuzlav Amphibious Force
Base (Figure 19) is the only operational ACV
base on the Black Sea. The ACV area of this
base is on a peninsula on Lake Donuzlav. Facil-
ities include six large, bermed Aist ramps;
three bermed LCMA ramps; a multivehicle
ramp; a maintenance building (previously as-
sociated with LCPAs); and several small sup-
port buildings. (S/WN)
29. The Aist LCUAs from Ozero Donu-
zlav were involved in the Soviet Warsaw Pact
exercise "Shield-82," which was held in Bul-
garia in 1982. This is the first known instance of
ACV use in a Black Sea Warsaw Pact exercise.
Future exercises probably will involve greater
numbers and more types of ACVs. (S/WN)
Baku Naval Base and Ship Repair Yard
30. The ACV facility at Baku Naval Base
and Ship Repair Yard (Figure 20) became
operational in 1982. This facility consists of
four concrete hardstands and two entry/exit
ramps. This facility, supporting Gus-class
LCPAs, is only 130 nautical miles from the
northern Iranian border and is still under
construction. (S/WN)
Z-12076/83 SECRET
R CA-06/0001/83
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Iq
Next 2 Page(s) In Document Denied
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
I I Il I iii I II I I I I
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Khabarovsk Naval Base Ostrov Zayachiy
31. Khabarovsk Naval Base Ostrov Zaya-
chiy-on an island in the Amur River (Figure
21)-consists of a large parking apron, two
entry/exit ramps, a large garage, a mainte-
nance building (associated with LCPA), and
several small support buildings. (S/WN)
32. The Gus LCPs based at Khabarovsk
are used to patrol the Sino-Soviet border
along the Amur River. Their high-speed and
shallow-water capabilities make them ideal for
such operations. (S/WN)
Vladivostok ACV Base Ostrov Russiky
33. Between November 1981 and August
1982, construction of an ACV facility was
begun at Vladivostok ACV Base Ostrov Russiky
(Figure 22). This facility was built next to the
berthing area used by Alligator and Ropucha
amphibious vehicle landing ships (LSTs). Facili-
ties at the base presently include an ACV
ramp. (S/WN)
34. It is likely that unit 2 of the Ivan
Rogov-class LPD (which carries Lebed LCMAs)
will be based at this facility. This LPD is
presently undergoing sea trials. (S/WN)
Murmansk/Gryaznaya Guba Seaplane Station
35. On ACVs were ob-
served for the first time in t e Northern Fleet
at Murmansk Gryaznaya Guba Seaplane Sta-
tion (Figure 23). This facility was refurbished,
and a ACV ramp was
constructed between and
In addition to the ramp, a large
hangar and several administration and support
buildings are present.* (S/WN)
The ACV count in the Northern Fleet was doubled in
July/August 1983, when two Lebeds were transferred to
the North probably from the Baltic Sea Fleet. These ACVs
were transported in an auxiliary repair dock through the
inland waterway to Severodvinsk (Figure 24) and, later,
were transferred to Murmansk.
Z-12076/83 SECRET
RCA-0610001183
? 25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
SECRET
All applicable satellite imagery acquired through was used in the preparation of this 25X1
report. (S/WN)
Small-Format Imagery
Figure No Agency Accession No. Classification
MAPS OR CHARTS
CIA. Base Map 77716, USSR
DOCUMENT
DIA
DIA
DIA
DIA
DIA
DIA
Unknown
6 826 045 77
6011 0081 83
5376 5464 80
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
SECRET
UNCLASSIFIED
NO REST
1. DIA. DST-13405-042-78, Air Cushion Vehicles (Current and Projected)-ECC (U), Jun 78 (SECRET
NOFORN*)
*Extracted information is classified
REQUIREMENT
COMIREX 99
Project 543057F
Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to CWO-4
SECRET RCA-06/0001/83
25X1
25X1
25X1
LJA I
25X1
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0
Secret
Secret
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/10: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000202350001-0