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