CHRONOLOGY OF EXPLOSIVES AND PROPELLANT PLANT 55 PAVLOGRAD, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP02T06408R001100010007-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 22
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Sequence Number: 7
• Content Type: CIAPER

25X1 Approved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02TO6408RO01100010007-1
Approved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02TO6408RO01100010007-1
 Approved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02T.06408R001100010007-1
(PLACE FORM 490 HERE)
OFFICIAL
RECORD
COPY
The attached document (s) must be safeguarded. It is the
Agency's Official Historical Record and must be preserved
in accordance with the Federal Records Act of 1950. For
additional information, call the Chief, CIA Archives and
RETURN IMMEDIATELY AFTER USE TO THE
CIA ARCHIVES AND RECORDS CENTER
Approved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02TO6408RO01100010007-1
 KWO
RECORD
COPY
COPY NO.
PUB. DATE
LOCATION
MASTER
DATE RECEIVED
LOCATION
DATE(S)
-
TI V1
E)2
S
LEVEL
. PUN
1
MAXIMUM 10
CUT TO
COPIES 0
DATE
7-74
CUT TO
COPIES
DATE
COPIES DESTROYED
CUT TO
COPIES
DATE
CUT TO
COPIES
DATE
CUT TO
COPIES
DATE
MASTER
DATE
DATE
NUMBER OF COPIES
DATE
NUMBER OF COPIES
MO.
DAY
YR.
RECEIVED OR ISSUED
REC. D
ISS*0
SAL
MO.
DAY
YR.
RECEIVED OR ISSUED
RECD
ISO 0
SAL
2
8
8
Dist. Unit#106-115
10
10
01
ri
-W
/
-
rE:
S
d
Jan. 1968
TS
11,5-013 7 25X1
Approved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02TO6408RO01100010007-1
 Approved For Release 2007103/07: CIA-RDP02T06408R001100010007-1
r TOP SECRET
PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION REPORT
CHRONOLOGY OF
EXPLOSIVES AND PROPELLANT PLANT 55
PAVLOGRAD, USSR
JANUARY 1968
COPY 116
17 PAGES
TOP SECRET
GROUP I EXCLUDED FROM
AUTOMATIC DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
B TUTpA
e31
Aroved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02T06408R001100010007-1
 25X1 Approved For Release 2007103/07: CIA-RDP02T06408R001100010007-1
Approved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02T06408R001100010007-1
 Approved
/07: CIA-RDPO2TO64O8ROO110001O
PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION REPORT
007-1
CHRONOLOGY OF
EXPLOSIVES AND PROPELLANT PLANT 55
PAVLOGRAD, USSR
JANUARY 1968
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
TOP SECRET
25X1
25X1
Aroved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02T06408R001100010007-1
 SUMMARY
The Advanced Solid Propellant Production Facility of
Explosives and Propellant Plant 55, Pavlograd, USSR, is not
operational; however, it appears to be in the late stages of
construction. When complete, it will possibly have the
first continuous composite solid propellant mixing opera-
tion in the USSR. In this respect, the Advanced Solid
Propellant Production Facility differs from the apparent
basic plan from which the other advanced solid propellant
production facilities were built. None of the elaborate
test apparatus usually found at solid rocket motor pro-
duction facilities is present at Explosives and Propellant
Plant 55; however, a test position located southeast of
Pavlograd could serve the facility.
INTRODUCTION
This report consists primarily of a chronology of
the construction of Explosives and Propellant Plant 55,
Pavlograd, USSR, with particular emphasis on the de-
velopment of the part of the plant which is the Advanced
Solid Propellant Production Facility. Also included are
descriptions of the more significant structures within
the Advanced Solid Propellant Production Facility, of
other components of the installation, and of possibly re-
lated facilities located in the vicinity of Pavlograd.
Explosives and Propellant Plant 55
Pavlograd Explosives Plant) is located 2 nautical
miles (nm) northwest of Pavlograd, USSR, at 48-33-50N
035-50-40E (Figure 1). The installation consists of the
original Explosives Plant 55, known to be in existence in
1943, and the adjoining Advanced Solid Propellant Pro-
duction Facility, a new addition which has been under
construction since 1962 and is still incomplete (Figures
1, 2,` 3, and 4). Associated with the plant is an Explosives/
Munitions Storage Area located immediately northeast of
Explosives Plant 55 (Figure 1).
In the immediate vicinity of Pavlograd is a Test
Range, which is approximately 16 rim long and extends
southeast from a Rangehead which is located at 48-29-
50N 035-56-55E about 6.5 nm southeast of Explosives
and Propellant Plant 55 (Figure 1). A Possible Range
Approved Fgr~pe~s~~gQ~~
~"I.
EXFLDSIVE.1tWT
437: CIA-RDPO2TO64O8ROO110001O
Yerbki
'ADVANC.ED
SOLID
PROPEL LAST
'PRODUCTION
:FACILITY,
EXPLOSIVES
PLANT 55:
PAVLOGRAD
-4----- Railroad, double track
Railroad; single track
Road
NAUTICAL MLE5
TEST
POSITION
MUNI
ARE
FIGURE 1. PAVLOGRAD VICINITY,
TOP SECRET
Aroved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02T06408R001100010007-1
EXPLOSIVES/MUNITIONS
(STORAGE
:RAN GEHEAD.
FACILITY
TEST RANGE
 Approved F6Ta01/q
7: CIA-RDPO2TO64O8ROO11O
010007-1
Support Facility is located on the edge of the Test Range
about 7.75 nm southeast of the plant at 48-27-45N 035-
56-55E and a Test Position is located about 1.5 nm south-
east of the Possible Range Support Facility at 48-26-25N
035-58-00E (Figure 1). The Test Position (Figure 1) has
been in operation at least since 1966 and therefore may
not be related to the Advanced Solid Propellant Production
Facility which is presently incomplete.
Explosives Plant 55 and its associated Explosives/
Munitions Storage Area were observed on 1943 photography
of the Pavlograd area. Explosives Plant 55 is enclosed by
a continuous wall, is rail served, and produces high ex-
plosives, probably TNT, and industrial explosives. When
the facility was first observed oniI photography
of Oevidence of a new addition was seen adjacent
to the northwest side of the original plant. This new addition
has been designated as the Advanced Solid Propellant Pro-
duction Facility. Subsequent overage of the plant,
extending through has been intermittent,
and the earlier small-scale photography was often of poor
interpretability. However, several recent photographic
reconnaissance missions have obtained coverage of good
interpretability, permitting more definitive interpretations
and more accurate mensuration of the Advanced Solid
Propellant Production Facility than had previously been
possible. This report contains 4 tables with functional
descriptions, dimensions, and the construction chronology
(so far as can be determined) of the principal structures
in the Advanced Solid Propellant Production Facility and
the Explosives Plant 55 (Table 1), the Rangehead (Table 2),
the Possible Range Support Facility and Test Position
(Table 3), and the Explosives/Munitions Storage Area
(Table 4, accompanying Figure 17). Functional Identifi-
cations in these tables are based primarily on photo-
graphic interpretation. The construction chronology, dates
when structures were first observed present and when they
were apparently complete, cannot be determined with
certainty because of the intermittent coverage and be-
cause of the small scale and poor interpretability of some
of the photography. No attempt has been made to compile
a chronology of the development of road and rail services
because these features were frequently not discernible
on the earlier photography.
The Advanced Solid Propellant Production Facility,
which is not yet operational, appears to be similar to
the Advanced Solid Propellant Area of Chemical Combine
101 at Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, 1/ the Advanced Solid Pro-
pellant Production Facility of Munitions and Chemical Com-
bine K. Kirov No 98 at Perm, 2/ and the Advanced Solid
Propellant Production Facility of the Ammunition Load-
ing and Explosives Plant Raketa 392 at Kemerovo, USSR. 3/
The design of the Pavlograd facility, however, is apparent-
ly a modification of the master plan from which the other
3 facilities were constructed. Although all 4 of the fa-
cilities apparently are (or will) be used to produce com-
posite solid propellants, the method used for mixing
propellants at Pavlograd apparently will be different in
that, when complete, the Pavlograd facility could possibly
contain the first continuous solid propellant mixing opera-
tion in the USSR.
Highlights of the construction chronology of the Ad-
vanced Solid Propellant Production Facility are presented
in the first part of the body of this report. Since the
designation of that facility was derived, in part, from an
analysis of its layout, of its structures, and of similar-
ities of these features to those of the previously identi-
fied facilities at Perm, Kemerovo, and Kamensk-Shakh-
tinskiy, the chronological highlights section of this report
is followed by detailed descriptions and illustrations of
significant structures in the facility, including compari-
sons with structures at the other installations. The
remainder of this report consists of chronology, descrip-
tions, and illustrations of the range and test facilities,
Explosives Plant 55, and the Explosives/Munitions Storage
Area.
HIGHLIGHTS OF CHRONOLOGY OF
THE ADVANCED SOLID PROPELLANT
PRODUCTION FACILITY
The chronology of the Advanced Solid Propellant
Production Facility is considered first in this report be-
cause the most significant developments have taken place
in that part of the installation. Chronologies of other
parts of the installation are considered later in this re-
port. Figure 3 is color coded to illustrate the construc-
TOP SECRET
Aroved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02T06408R001100010007-1
tion chronology of both the Advanced Solid Propellant
Production Facility as well as Explosives Plant 55, and
Table 1 contains chronological data on structures in
these 2 parts of the installation. In the following para-
graphs containing highlights of the chronology of the
Advanced Solid Propellant Production Facility from 1962
to 1967, all item numbers refer to items in the appro-
priate sections of Figure 3 and Table 1.
1962
photography of poor interpretability re-
vealed 3 revetted possible batch mix/ingredient prep-
aration buildings (items 1 and 3) at the site of the future
Advanced Solid Propellant Production Facility.
1963
photography of poor interpretability showed
that rail beds and roads had been extended. Thirteen new
buildings were completed during this period. A wall and
a dike which had been started the previous year were
completed.
1964
Two of the revetments for probable casting/curing
buildings (items 37 and 39) were partially complete.
The revetment for the other probable casting/curing building
(item 32) was completed. Six new buildings were constructed
during the year.
1965
Thirteen new buildings were added, including a pos-
sible premix building (item 34), a possible continuous
mix building (item 38), and 2 probable casting/curing
buildings (items 37 and 39).
1966
A probable case preparation building (item 26), a
probable lag storage building (item 24), and the revetment
around a probable casting/curing building (item 37) were
completed.
1967
Large-scale photography of good interpretability of
made possible the identification of the Ad-
 Approved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02TO6408RO01100010007-1
Q
Approved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02TO6408RO01100010007-1
 Approved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02TO6408RO01100010007-1
Q
Approved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02TO6408RO01100010007-1
 i Railroad
Road
Fence
Pipeline
o Tank
? Stack
Revetment
Being razed in 1967
:::: Buried building
Approved For Release 200710310: CIA 10007-1
TOP SECRET
Note:
Item numbers in the Advanced solid Propellant Production Facility
are keyed to Partl of Table 1
Item numbers in the Explosives PJant 55 ore keyed to Part II of Table
FIGURE 3. LAYOUT OF EXPLOSIVES PLANT 55 AND THE ADVANCED SOLID PROPELLANT PRODUCTION FACILITY.
-5-
TOP SECRET
Aroved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-R DP02T06408R001100010007-1
ADVANCED SOLID PROPELLANT
PRODUCTION FACILITY
completed
completed
completed
complete
complete
complete
under construction 1967
First observed in 1967; may have
been present earlier
25X1
25X1
25
 Approve
TOP SECRET
06408R001 100010007-1
vaned Solid Propellant Production Facility. 1)etails of
the perspective drawings (Figures 5-11) were derived
from oblique photographic coverage (from north and south)
Construction during this year was
centered on a possible nondestructive test building (item
23), an unidentified building (item 17), a possible lab-
oratory/quality test building (item 53), the completion of
the revetment around a probable casting/curing building
(item 39), and the completion of a probable final assembly
building (item 51). The facility did not appear either com-
plete or operational on photography of
PRINCIPAL STRUCTURES AT SHE
ADVANCED SOLID PROPELLANT
PRODUCTION FACILITY
Because of the importance of the Advanced Solid
Propellant Production Facility, only structures in that
part of the installation are described in detail in this
report, and the following descriptions are of those struc-
tures evaluated as the most significant. All item numbers
mentioned in the descriptions are keyed to the Advanced
Solid Propellant Production Facility sections of Table 1
and Figure 3.
POSSIBLE BATCH MIX INCREMENT
PREPARATION BUILDINGS
Three separate possible hatch rnix/ingredient prep
aration buildings (items 1-3) are located in the southwest
corner of the Advanced Solid Propellant Production Fa-
cility. They may have been designed to serve the north-
westernmost probable casting/curing building (item 32).
Details of one of the batch mix/ingredient preparation
buildings (item 1) are shown in a perspective drawing
on Figure 5. During the early stages of construction of
the buildings, the presence of probable c nrrul buildings
was detected. These were buried when Lyle revetments
were made. Pipelines/pipe galleries connect these build-
ings with the possible control buildings. Batches of pro-
pellant could be moved by road to the probable casting/
curing building (item 32). Another possible function for
these buildings could be batch preparation of ingredients
TOP SECRET
Aroved For Release 2007/03/07 : CIA-R DP02T06408R00 1 100010007-1
 Approved For Release 2007103/07: CIA-RDP02T06408R001100010007-1
TOP SECRET
which would possibly be fed into a continuous mixing
operation.
0
FIGURE 5. POSSIBLE BATCH MIX/INGREDIENT PREPARATION BUILDING
(item 1, Figure 3).
PROBABLE CASE PREPARATION BUILDING
This building (item 26) is located near the center of
the facility. The inspection and cleaning of rocket motor
cases, the installation of linings, and work preparatory
to casting may be performed in it. The arrangement of
this building, shown on Figure 6, appears similar to that
of the case preparation building at Perm 2/ and, except
for the fact that it lacks an additional high-bay section,
to those at Kemerovo and Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy. 1, 3/
-- 280' ---~
A single rail spur will apparently serve this building,
entering it from the southwest.
POSSIBLE PROPELLANT PREMIX BUILDING
The possible propellant premix building (item 34)
is revetted in a unique fashion. A perspective drawing
of this building and its revetments is shown in Figure 7.
It has a double C-shaped revetment/barricade on the
northwest side with 2 road-served possible additive supply
accesses (items 35 and 36) located between the revetments.
The possible additives supply accesses appear to be linked
to the possible propellant premix building by a conveyer
system or walkway. The function of the possible propellant
premix building is probably to wet the dry ingredients so
they will slurry better in final mixing. The possible
propellant premix building is road served and is con-
siderably larger than its counterparts at Perm and Kamensk-
Shakhtinskiy. 1, 2/ The possible propellant premix build-
ing is linked to the possibly continuous mix building (item
38) by a conveyer/covered pipeline gallery.
(item 37) are shown in a perspective drawing, Figure 8.
The possible continuous mix building is connected to
the probable casting/curing building (item 37) on the
north by a pipe gallery which is still under construction
and which may carry water, steam, or possibly pro-
pellant when complete. No pipe gallery is in evidence
between the possible continuous mix building and the
southernmost casting/curing building (item 39). The
possible continuous mix building is completely revetted
and road served on 2 sides. A building of this type would
be capable of producing mixed propellants more effi-
ciently and safely than the batch-mix method of production
which the Soviets have apparently used at the other ad-
vanced solid propellant facilities. A safer method of
production is apparently needed since batch method mix-
blend buildings were apparently destroyed at Kamensk-
Shakhtinskiy in 1965 and at Kemerovo in
FIGURE 8. POSSIBLE CONTINUOUS MIX BUILDING (item 38, Figure 3) AND
PROBABLE CASTING/CURING BUILDING (item 37, Figure 3).
20X1
0
FIGURE 6. PROBABLE CASE PREPARATION BUILDING (item 26, Figure 3).
FIGURE 7. POSSIBLE PROPELLANT PREMIX BUILDING (item 34, Figure 3).
POSSIBLE CONTINUOUS MIX BUILDING
The possible continuous mix building (item 38) is
unique in that it is the only mix building that has been
so identified located between 2 probable casting/curing
buildings (items 37 and 39) at any Soviet advanced solid
propellant facility. Details of this building along with
one of the adjoining probable casting/curing buildings
TOP SECRET
Aroved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02T06408R001100010007-1
PROBABLE CASTING/CURING BUILDINGS
Certain factors suggest that the 2 probable casting/
curing buildings (items 37 and 39), one of which is shown
on Figure 8, may be part of a continuous mix operation.
The 2 probable casting/curing buildings at this facility
differ structurally from probable casting/curing build-
ings at other Soviet advanced solid propellant facilities
and from the third probable casting/curing building here
(item 32) which has a buried L-shaped control building.
25X1
25X1
 The 2 similar Pavlograd probable casting/curing
buildings are both doubly rail served by tunnels passing
through the revetments. One of the tunnels at each build-
ing measures approximately 15 feet wide and 15 feet
high? the other measures approximately 15 feet wide
and I high. The third probable casting/curing
building here, and the probable casting/curing buildings
at the other advanced solid propellant facilities, are
served by only one rail tunnel which measures approx-
imately 25 feet high. 11_3/ It is believed that after cast-
ing takes place at the 3 probable casting/curing build-
ings at Pavlograd, the partially cured motors are moved
by rail to the probable curing buildings, one of which
(item 16) is located approximately 3,000 feet to the
northwest.
FIGURE 9. PROBABLE CURING BUILDING (item 16, Figure 3).
PROBABLE CURING BUILDING
A probable curing building (item 16), illustrated on
Figure 9, is evident in the Advanced Solid Propellant
Production Facility. It is similar to one of the types
of curing buildings previously identified at the other ad-
vanced solid propellant production facilities. 11-33/ It
has 4 bays divided by possible blast walls that extend
above the roof line. The bays appear to be served by
individual overhead cranes. The relatively small size
of this building, its handling capacity, and its location
tend to indicate that only small items, possibly closures,
may be cured here. It is probable that other curing
buildings will be identified at Pavlograd as the Advanced
Solid Propellant Production Facility nears completion.
Approved For Release 200710
TOP SECRET
10007-1
Table 2. Rangehead Facility (Item numbers are keyed to Figure 12)
Note; Measurements are accurate to within ?10 feet or 4%, whichever is greater.
Date First
Item
Function/Description
Dimensions
Roof
Observed &
Comments
(ft)
Cover
Apparently
L W
(sq ft)
Complete*
1 Support bldg
2 Sensitive storage bldg
3 Poss fabrication bldg
4 Support bldg
5 Warehouse
6 Support bldg
45 x 45
130x 55
605 x 145
65 x 55
255 x 65
-- x --
7 Support bldg 85 x 45
8 Support bldg 115 x 50
9 Support bldg 75 x 30
10 Support bldg 85 x 35
11 Support bldg -- x --
12 Support bldg -- x --
13 Warehouse 330 x 55
14 Sensitive storage bldg 120 x 40
15 Support bldg 205 x 45
16 Support bldg 205 x 40
17 Support bldg 135 x 35
18 Support bldg 110 x 35
19 U/I bldg x
20 Support bldg -- x --
21 Support bldg 145 x 60
22 Support bldg -- x --
23 Support bldg -- x --
24 Support bldg -- x --
25 Support bldg
26 Poss sensitive storage bldg
27 Poss sensitive storage bldg
28 U/I bldg
Area A poss test/disposal area
*Unless otherwise noted under Comments.
50x 25
2,025
7,150
87,725
3,575
16,575
3,825
5,750
2,250
2,975
18,150
4,800
9,225
8,200
4,725
3,850
8,700
1,250
FIGURE 10. POSSIBLE NONDESTRUCTIVE ZEST BUILDING (item 27, Figure 3).
POSSIBLE NONDESTRUCTIVE TEST BUILDINGS
Two partially revetted structures (items 23 and 27)
are located in the north-central part of the facility and
-8-
TOP SECRET
Aroved For Release 2007(03/07: CIA-RDP02T06408R001100010007-1
Revetted
High-bay, drive-through bldg
Multistoried bldg, rail served
Approx measurements
Multistoried bldg
2 small revetments on N
Observed complete
Includes small object/structure nearby
2 small revetted areas on
Contains a rail-served L-shaped revetment & 5-15 poss bldgs
may be used for some type of inspection or quality control
operation normally associated with the production of solid
propellant rocket motors. Cured motors could conceivably
be X-rayed in the structures. A perspective drawing of
one of these buildings (item 27) is presented on Figure 10.
Both buildings are rectangular with low sections along the
northwest side. L-shaped revetments protect the south-
FIGURE 11. LABORATORY/QUALITY TEST BUILDING (item 53, Figure 3).
 25X1 Approved For Release 2007103/07: CIA-RDP02T06408R001100010007-1
Approved For Release 2007/03/07: CIA-RDP02T06408R001100010007-1
 east side of each building, and a concrete blast wall ex-
tends along the northeast side of each building into the
revetment. These walls could be for the protection of
X-ray technicians. The configuration of the concrete
wall would direct any blowout toward the L-shaped re-
vetment. Buildings of this configuration are present at
Perm, Kemerovo, and Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy. 11-33/
POSSIBLE LABORATORY/QUALITY TEST
BUILDING
Because of the variation in lots of the raw materials
used in propellant manufacture, some means of quality
control is necessary. All raw materials are generally
grouped together and standardized by mixing small batches
of propellant which are then loaded into small test motors
for sampling of their physical properties. These motors
Approvedfp~ ~el~stlrJ
(if: (1A-F