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TBILISI AIRFRAME PLANT 31 AND TBILISI/SOGANLUG AIRFIELD

Document Type: 
CREST [1]
Collection: 
NGA Records (Formerly NIMA) [2]
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP79T01184A000200630001-9
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
T
Document Page Count: 
14
Document Creation Date: 
December 28, 2016
Document Release Date: 
March 4, 2010
Sequence Number: 
1
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
April 1, 1979
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP79T01184A000200630001-9.pdf [3]589.84 KB
Body: 
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Top Secret NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER BASIC IMAGERY INTERPRETATION REPORT TBILISI AIRFRAME PLANT 31 AND TBILISI/SOGANLUG AIRFIELD (S) STRATEGIC WEAPONS INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES USSR APRIL 1979 Top Secret 25X1 RCA-09/0009/79 Copy 9 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Top Secret RUFF INSTALLATION OR ACTIVITY NAME Tbilisi Airframe Plant 31 Tbilisi/Soganlug Airfield GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES 41-39-45N 044-52-59E 41-38-57N 044-56-10E SAC. USATC, Series 200, Sheet 0325-12, scale 1:200,000 A BSTRACT 1. (S/WNINTEL) This report u dates NPIC report dated De cember 196 8, and supersedes NPIC reports dated July 19 74; date d June 197 1; dated August 1970; and dated Janua ry 1970. This repo rt covers t he period from the information cutoff date of the updated report, to and substantia lly satisfies the bas ic re porting requireme nt for Plant 31. 2. (TSR) A significant amount of construction occurred at both the plant and the airfield during this reporting period. The plant now covers an area of 53.9 hectares. This report includes a year-by-year update of construction activity at both facilities, a discussion of FISHBED and MONGOL aircraft and container production activity at Plant 31; a location map; five annotated photographs; and four tables, two containing mensural and descriptive data and two listing significant observations. INTRODUCTION 3. (S/WNINTEL) This reports updates a previous NPIC report' and supersedes four other NPIC reports2,3,4,5 on the Tbilisi Airframe Plant 31 (Figure 1) which is situated in the southeastern suburbs of Tbilisi, USSR, on the north bank of the Kura River. The plant is approximately 2 nautical miles northwest of the Tbilisi/Soganlug Airfield and is connected to this airfield by an asphalt taxiway. JVP/~ C s-6698 FIGURE 1. LOCATIONS OF TBILISI AIRFRAME PLANT 31 AND TBILISI/SOGANLUG AIRFIELD, USSR Top Secret 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 225X1 25X1 25X1 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79T01184A000200630001-9 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Top Secret RUFF BASIC DESCRIPTION Construction Activity at Plant 31 4. (TSR) Extensive construction activity has been observed at the plant during the past ten years' (Figure 2 and Table 1); two buildings, which were observed under construction in 1968, have been completed, six have been modified, five have been razed, and 29 new buildings have been constructed. This resulted in an estimated net increase of 15,374 square meters of usable floorspace. The original report' contained some mensural inaccuracies; later imagery and im- proved mensural techniques show that the actual amount of floorspace at the plant in November 1968 was approximately 194,115 square meters, rather than the reported 197,462 square meters. The newly calculated floorspace figure and the completion of 15,374 square meters of floorspace and the 802 square meters under construction result in an estimated present total floorspace of 210,291 square meters. Complete mensural data on all significant buildings at the plant are included in this report. A new numbering system was also employed for clarity. 5. (TSR) Aso Plant 31 occupied 53.9 hectares and consisted of 89 buildings and structures, 78 of which are considered to be significant. A functional breakdown of the floorspace of these 89 buildings and structures is presented in the following table. Function/Description Floorspace (square meters) Administration/engineering bldgs 32,874 Production bldgs 100,947 Production support bldgs 33,899 General support/storage bldgs 41,769 Under construction 802 Total floorspace 210,291 The following ten paragraphs describe the chronological sequence of construction activity at Tbilisi Plant 31. 6. (TSR) Two small wings of a shop building (item 2, Figure 2 and Table 1) were razed between November 1968 and June 1969, reducing the floorspace of the shop by 409 square meters. An engineering building (item 10), first observed under construction in November 1967,' had been completed by June 1969. The recreation hall (item 11), previously identified as an administration building,' was enlarged between November 1968 and June 1969; the north wing was expanded, increasing the total floorspace of the building by 746 square meters. A pumphouse (item 53) and an associated water tank were completed when observed in June 1969; this facility probably functions in support of the rail system for the plant. Construction continued on the lumber mill (item 64) which was first observed under construction in March 1968.' 7. (TSR) The security wall southeast of the plant (Figure 2) had been moved by April, increasing the plant area by 3.6 hectares for a total of 53.9 hectares; the wall had been moved to accommodate the construction of a new POL storage facility and pumphouse (item 58). Construc- tion on the lumber mill (item 64) was in the late stages by December. 8. (TSR) In January, enlargement of a shop building (item 23) was first observed and the lumber mill (item 64), under construction since March 1968,' was observed completed. A check- out/warehouse section (item 24a) was being added to one end of the foundry buildng (item 24) and a shop section (item 24f) was being added to the other end. The POL storage area and new pumphouse (item 58), in the southeast corner of the plant, had been completed by June. A second pumphouse (item 55) and an associated small POL storage facility were constructed between June and November. This facility functions in support of the plant rail system. -2- Top Secret RCA-09/0009/79 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Table 1. Chronology of Construction Activity at Tbilisi Airframe Plant 31 (Keyed to Figure 2) This table in its entirety is classified TOP SECRET RUFF 1 Shop bldg 2 Shop bldg 3 Admin bldg 4 Admin bldg 5 Final assem/ assem bldg a Engr sec b Assem sec c Final assem hall d Subassem/shop sec e Shop sec 6 Stor bldg 7 Spt bldg 8 Weapons test/ calibration bldg 9 Engine test bldg 12 Messhall 13 Spt bldg 14 Stor bldg 15 Stor bldg 16 Compressor bldg 17 Shop bldg 18 Water filtration bldg 19 Pumphouse 20 Spt bldg 21 Spt bldg 22 Final assem/ assem bldg a Final assem hall b Assem sec c Engr/firehouse sec d Shop sec e Engr sec 23 Shop bldg 24 Foundry a Checkout/warehouse sec b Foundry sec c Foundry sec d Fab sec e Foundry sec f Shop sec a Engr/shop sec b Shop sec Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Top Secret RUF Shop sec Engr sec Engr sec Transshipment sec Dimensions' (m) W Total Floorspace Date (sq m) Considered Complete 670 744 Jun 69 2 wings of original bldg razed between Nov 68 & Jun 69, decreasing floorspace by 409 sq m; extensive piping on roof at west end of bldg 3,053 2 stories 4.016 2 stories 20,132 1,720 2,534 3 stories; center portion 1 5.4m high 2 short stacks near NW corner 292 345 May 73 First seen ucon Dec 72; quonset 184 433 With associated firing-in butt, target track, & electronics Contains 2 L-type test cells; each cell has 6 vents on roof & associated blast deflector 276 Jun 69 2 stories: identified as admin bldg when ucon' 3,490 Jun 69 2 stories; previously identified as admin bldg; original bldg completed Sep 57,' was 2,744 sq m; north wing expanded between Nov 68 & Jun 69 589 Large recreation area to south 73 Oct 73 411 774 1,780 Feb 77 Original bldg completed Aug 42,' was razed & rebuilt between Sep 74 & Feb 77; small 2-story sec in SE corner 232 550 99 116 Aug 72 6,950 41,460 Connected by buried pipeline to item 19; pumps water from Kura River; height at corners Draws water from item 18 Floorspace includes 3 small shop secs Flodrspace total includes 4 small shop secs 3-story engr sec with small 1-story firehouse in NW corner 2.299 757 3 stories 1,416 Aug 72 Original bldg completed Aug 42.' expanded between Jan 71 & Aug 72; circular cooling pond on south side of item 16 Aug 72 406 Aug 72 Footings first seen Jan 71, travelling crane immediately east 3,101 1,386 2,025 1,306 202 Aug 72 Footings first seen Jan 71 ; oval cooling pond immediately west May 77 Original bldg completed by Jun 63 secs d & e connected by May 77 2,391 2 stories 548 Floorspace includes small protrusion on SW side 701 1.427 May 77 513 May 77 497 2 stories 2 stories Originally separate bldg; rail spur enters on east side Top Secret RCA-09/0009/79 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 25X1 LOA I 25X1 25X1 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Top Secret RUFF 26 Spt bldg 27 Transshipment bldg 29 Security bldg 30 Transshipment bldg 31 Carpentry shop a Processing/assem b Sawmill sec c Admin sec 32 Poss filtration/pro- cessing bldg ucon 33 Filtration/processing bldg ucon 34 Filtration/processing bldg 35 Admin bldg 36 Engr bldg 37 Pumphouse 38 Final assem bldg a Final assem hall b Final assem hall c Shop sec d Engr sec e Shop sec f Shop sec g Engr sec h Admin sec 39 Admin/engr bldg a Admin sec b Engr sec 43 Stor bldg 44 Spt bldg 45 Warehouse 46 Warehouse 47 Stor bldg 48 Warehouse 50 Warehouse 51 Shop bldg 52 Steamplant 53 Pumphouse 54 Warehouse 55 Pumphouse 56 Stor bldg 57 Vehicle repair shop 58 Pumphouse 59 Vehicle storage bldg 60 Vehicle repair bldg Dimensions' (m) W Total Floorspace Date (sq m) Considered Complete 277 2,639 274 4.620 1,325 3,677 613 356 2,223 2,274 14,548 589 2,377 924 1,292 1,096 1,065 432 2,839 444 250 564 639 201 1,114 1,878 1,188 884 62 -4- Top Secret Oct 73 First seen ucon Jul 73 Travelling crane & loading dock on north side, rail served Covered loading dock on north side: rail served Jul 73 Drive through: first seen ucon Jan 73 Travelling crane & loading dock on south side: rail served 36 roof vents 3 sawdust collectors on south side 2 stories - First seen ucon Jun 78; associated with items 33 & 34 - First seen ucon Sep 74; associated with items 32 & 34 Mar 77 First seen ucon Jul 74; may be sewage or water treatment; has 5 associated buried inverted-cone- shaped pits 3 stories Sep 77 2 stories; first seen ucon Apr 76; rec- tangular cooling pond near east side Provides water for items 36 & 38 2 stories 2 stories; north half is single story 4 stories 3 stories; previously identified as having 4 stories' Jul 74 First seen ucon May 65; open sided: previously identified as assem/ shop bldg' Previously identified as assem/ shop bldg' Jan 78 First seen ucon May 77; constructed over cooling pond;' new cooling pond near south side Oct 73 Quonset; replaced utility bldg' Oct 73 First seen ucon Jun 73 Floorspace includes 2 small attached wings Oct 73 Quonset; first seen ucon Jun 73 Open sided & rail served on north side Rail served on north side; large open loading dock on east side Rail served on north side Jan 75 Expanded between Jul 74 & Jan 75; original bldg was 279 sq m 3-story admin sec on west side; 2 large stacks north of bldg Jun 69 Adjacent to water storage tank; prob supports rail line Roof has scalloped edges Nov 71 First seen ucon Jun 71 ; 5 associated POL tanks immediately east; prob supports rail line Aug 72 First seen ucon Jun 72; associated with item 55 Floorspace includes 2 small, 2-story secs Jun 71 First seen ucon Apr 70; serves separately secured POL depot; plant security wall moved to accommodate this area Previously identified as warehouse;' height at eave 3 adjacent grease racks 25X1 ,)tY I 25X1 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Iq Next 2 Page(s) In Document Denied Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 25X1 15. (TSR) A shop building (item 42), first observed under construction in May 1977, had been completed by January 1978, and the new warehouse (item 65), first observed under construc- tion in October 1976, had been completed by June 1978. As of construction continued on the new filtration/processing building (item 33). A new associated building (item 32), possibly another filtration/processing building, was in the early stages of construction. Five inverted-cone-shaped pits had been dug adjacent to the two new buildings. Construction Activity at the Airfield 16. (TSR) Construction activity at the airfield (Table 2 and Figure 3) during the past ten years has almost tripled the amount of usable floorspace; 19 new buildings were constructed, one was razed, and two were enlarged. This activity resulted in an increase of 8,188 square meters of usable floorspace. As of the airfield was supported by 39 buildings and structures with a total floorspace of 12,503 square meters. Of these 39 buildings and structures, 28 are considered to be significant. The following ten paragraphs describe the chronological sequence of construction activity at the airfield. 17. (TSR) Mensuration of the runway at Tbilisi/Soganlug Airfield revealed that it is 2,493 by 80 meters rather than 2,470 by 79 meters, as was reported previously.' Since no runway construction or repair activity was observed during the reporting period, it is, therefore, possible that the difference is a result of improved mensural capabilities. 18. (S/WNINTEL) No activity was observed. 19. (S/WNINTEL) Footings for the operations building (item 13, Table 2 and Figure 3) were first observed in September. 20. (S/WNINTEL) Footings for the communications building (item 15) were first observed in September. Construction on the operations building (item 13) continued at a moderate pace. 21. (TSR) The operations building (item 13), first observed under construction in Septem- ber 1970, and the communications building (item 15), first observed under construction in Sep- tember 1971, had both been completed by August. The administration building (item 9) was enlarged between January and August, increasing the total floorspace by 483 square meters. An administration building/dining hall (item 11) was constructed between March and August on the site previously occupied by an operations building.' A probable quarters (item 8) was constructed between January and August and a security building (item 20) was constructed between August and December. A storage building (item 17) and three support buildings (items 2, 27, and 28) had been completed by August. A fourth support building (item 4) was constructed between August and December. 22. (S/WNINTEL) A storage building (item 10) was constructed between June and October and a support building (item 16) was constructed between June and November. 23. (S/WNINTEL) Initial construction of the administration section (item 7b) of the admin- istration/flightline maintenance building (item 7) was observed in August. Footings for a new support building (item 5) were first seen in June. -8- Top Secret RCA-09/0009/79 25X1 25X1 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Top Secret RUFF Table 3. Shipping Containers Observed at Tbilisi Airframe Plant 31, Jun 69 to Oct 78" This table in its entirety is classified TOP SECRET RUFF FISHBED FISHBED FISHBED FISHBED FISHBED LA -17M AS-2 Unidentified Date Mission Fuselage Type A Fuselage Type B Fuselage Type C Fuselage Type D Component Ty pe B KIPPER (small) 3 2 6 5 10 2 4 1" 4 10 5"' 20a 5 8 10 8 20a 5 7 50a 7 100a 4t 1 100a 1 500a 1 1 300a 300a 3 4 300a 2 2 200a 1 2 200a 4 12 4 150a 11 4 1 150a 2 15a 2 1 9 20a 6 1 4 5 2 6 3 5 1 2 3 3 2 10 6 2 3 3 6 3 7 12 5 5 3 20 Selected coverages; observations are confirmed unless otherwise noted. Only identification at plant. Modified. a = Approximate count. t Includes 2 prob. 24. (TSR) Footings for the new steamplant (item 1) and a new support building (item 3) were first observed in January. The administration section (item 7b) of the administration/flight- line maintenance building (item 7), first observed under construction in August 1974, was com- plete when observed in August 1975, increasing the total floorspace of the building by 1,148 square meters. A checkout building (item 22), with an associated hardstand, was constructed between June and August. Construction continued at a slow pace on a support building (item 5). 25. (S/WNINTEL) A support building (item 5), first observed under construction in June 1974, had been completed by January 1976. Construction continued on the new steamplant (item 1). 26. (TSR) The new steamplant (item 1), first observed under construction in January 1975, was externally complete in February 1977; however, the stack associated with this building was still under construction at the end of the year. The ground control approach (GCA) site control building (item 26) was constructed between January and February. A support building (item 3), first observed under construction in January 1975, had been completed by May 1977. 27. (TSR) In June, the stack associated with the steamplant (item 1) and two storage buildings (items 23 and 25) were completed when observed. Footings for an unidentified building (item 24) were first observed in June. This building was still in the early stages of construction on determined, it was not included in the total floorspace figure. Since the function and amount of floorspace at this building could not be -9- Top Secret RCA-09/0009/79 25X1 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Top Secret RUF 25X1 Production Status of Plant 31 28. (TSR) Prior tol I Plant 31 was involved in the production of the AS-2 25X1 KIPPER; the UMiG-21 (MONGOL), a, trainer version of the MiG-21 (FISHBED) aircraft; and the LA-17M, a ground-launched target drone. Production changes occurring during the past ten years are discussed in the following paragraphs. 29. (TSR) According to shipping container observations at Plant 31 (Table 3), KIPPER missile production had probably decreased considerably by mid-1971 and continued at a low rate until 1977. On five new KIPPER shipping containers were identified at the plant 25X1 (Figure 4). This was the highest count of KIPPER shipping containers since August 1969. The new ., (Continued p. 13) - 10- Top Secret Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Top Secret RUFF Table 4. Aircraft Observations at Tbilisi/Soganlug Airfield, Aug 72 to Sep 78" This table in its entirety is classified TOP SECRET RUFF UMiG-21 MiG-21 MONGOL/ FISHBED/MONGOL Date Mission MONGOL FISHBED FISHBED" Total For Coverage 7 7 18 18 1 1 13 15 3 7 10 5 5 7 2 1 10 7 7 1 1 5 7 10 10 5 5 7 7 9 9 7 7 1 1 19 21 9 9 10 10 1 6 7 8 8 10 10 4 4 5 3 3 0 4 4 Selected coverages. Late models (J/K/L/N). "Limited film quality precluded distinguishing between the MONGOL and FISHBED aircraft. 25X1 Top Secret Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Top Secret R U F F KIPPER container is very similar to the type C FISHBED aircraft fuselage container, but the KIPPER container has a extension projecting from its end. This new KIPPER container 25X1 was subsequently seen at Alekseyevka Airfield a Soviet naval aviation base 25X1 subordinate to the Pacific Fleet Air Force. 30. (TSRZU) MONGOL aircraft production rates varied throughout the reporting period from a high of five per month in 1972 to a low of two to three per month in 1973. The production rate for 1977 was estimated as being approximately three per month.' A change in MONGOL aircraft crating techniques was also observed. Throughout 1973 and during a part of 1974, the standard shipping container for the MONGOL was the t e A FISHBED fuselage shippin container. Type A containers were last seen at the plant on (Table 3). Since the type B FISHBED fuselage shipping container, with its distinctive "boat-nosed appearance, has been observed (Figure 5). It seems that the type B has replaced the type A as the standard shipping container for the MONGOL. 31. (TSR) Photographic evidence suggests that a small number of late-model FISHBED aircraft are possibly being assembled at Plant 31. Since a total of eight late- model FISHBED have been observed at the Tbilisi/Soganlug Airfield (Table 4 and Figure 6). The type C container is usually associated with the FISHBED D/F but can be used for J/K/L/N 12 type C FISHBED fuselage shipping containers (Figures 4 and 5) and one type D FISHBED fuselage container (Figure 4) have been identified at the plant (Table 3). 32. (TSR) The necessary FISHBED components probably came from Gorkiy Airframe Plant models. The type D container is the standard container for FISHBED L/N. Since 21 , the major FISHBED production facility in the USSR. On 20 small shipping containers were observed at Plant 31 (Figure 4 and Table 3) and by May 1976 approximately 500 were present. These containers, which are were first identified at Gorkiy Plant 21 in early 1972. Significantly, as the number of these containers decreased at Plant 21, the number increased at Plant 31. 33. (TSR) Production of the LA-17M target drone at Plant 31 remained constant through mid-to-late 1975. In 1976, however, no LA-17M shipping containers were observed at the plant (Table 3). Production of the LA-17M resumed in 1977 but had probably ceased again by early 1978. This pattern of on-off production may represent a produce-as-ordered production status for the LA-17M. (TSR) All applicable KEYHOLE imagery of suitable interpretability acquired from I ((Mission 1105-1) throug was used in the preparation of this report. MAPS OR CHARTS SAC. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet 0325-12, scale 1:200,000 (UNCLASSIFIED) DOCUMENTS NPIC RCA-09/0007/69, Tbilisi Airframe Plant 31, Dec 68 (TOP SECRETL . NPIC. BCA-09/0005/75, Tbilisi Airframe Plant 31, Jul 74 (TOP SECRET[ NPIC. BCA-09/0001/72, Tbilisi Airframe Plant 31, Jun 71 (TOP SECRET 4. NPIC. -09/0008/71, Tbilisi Airframe Plant 31 and Tbilisi/Soganlug Airfield, Aug 70 (TOP 5. NPIC. BCA-09/0022/70, Tbilisi Airframe Plant 31, Jan 70 (TOP SECRET 6. DIAL I DDB-1923-2-78 SAO, Foreign Aircraft Production Communist World (U), May 78 (TOP COMIREX J02 Project 290055DJ (S) Comments and queries regarding this report ar Pact Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC, - 13 - Top Secret 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 2oA] 25X1 25X1 RCA-09/0009/79 25X1 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9 Top Secret Top Secret Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/04: CIA-RDP79TO1184A000200630001-9

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