STATUS OF CSA-1 (SAM) SITES CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05162A000400010029-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 14, 2011
• Sequence Number: 29
• Publication Date: July 1, 1974
• Content Type: REPORT

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NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION
REPORT
STATUS OF CSA-1 (SAM) SITES
CHINA
JULY 1974
COPY NO 122
8 PAGES
PIR-044/74
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iur 3tLrcc i rcurr
STATUS OF CSA-1 (SAM) SITES, CHINA
1. The Communist Chinese have apparently stabilized their deployment
systems. This report discusses the deployment status, as well as training activity
construction activity at CSA
provides information current
1 sites. The report updates NPIC
of CSA-1 (SAM)
and some of the
gust 1973 and
2. Included are five photographs; artist's concepts of launcher covers, or cocoons; a location
map; and a table showing site status.
Deployment Status
3. China presently contains 65 known operational CSA-1 sites and three known SAM training
areas (Figure 1). This represents a decrease of eight CSA-1 sites since June 1973. A breakdown by
type shows 28 hardened permanent sites, 31 nonhardened permanent sites, and six field sites (Table
1). All but one of the field sites have been occupied for over two years, and therefore these are
considered semipermanent.
4. The inventory of CSA-1 equipment imaged on photography over the past two years has
remained fairly constant, although the number of occupied SAM sites has decreased. This inventory
of CSA-1 equipment is only an approximation, since all CSA-1 sites, training areas, and support
or depot facilities were not imaged on the same dates.
5. The following figures are estimates of CSA-1 battalions based on the number of occupied
CSA-1 sites and equipment observed in training areas from January 1972 to March 1974. (The figures
represent the highest counts for each year.)
Battalions at
1972
Occupied sites
56 56
54
Training areas
7 9
11
Total battalions
63
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In addition to the above, an average of two battalions were seen at Shuang-cheng-tzu SAM Launch
Areas A and B from January 1972 to March 25X1
1974.
6. The Chinese have not as yet shown any indications of collocating antiaircraft artillery with
deployed SAM battalions, as has been the practice in other parts of the world.
Construction Activity
7. The trend in SAM deployment in China during this reporting period has been continuing
emphasis on hardening and improving existing sites. This hardening and improvement has generally
been accomplished in one of two ways:
a. By constructing a completely new and improved site, including permanent on-site
support buildings, within 1 or 2 nautical miles of an existing site (Figure 2).
b. By renovating an old site (Figure 3). Renovation usually consists of hardening the
guidance and missile-hold areas, improving the revetments, and improving the on-site
support area. The site is generally kept operational during this renovation by relocating
the SAM equipment in the immediate area.
8. In addition to construction directly related to the hardening and improvement of SA-1
sites, there are other, unique types of construction that do not have a clearly defined purpose.
-1-
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(Continued p. 5)
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? HARDENED SITE WITH ELEVATOR OWDANCE RADAR
Q HARDENED SITE WITHOUT ELEVATOR GUIDANCE RADAR
?
NON-HARDENED PERMANENT SflE
o FIELD DEPLOYED SITE
TRAINING AREA
TIENTSIN
iId
ttr1h
Y1~Id8~173
FIGURE 1. LOCATION OF DEPLOYED CSA- 1 SITES AND TRAINING AREAS
SNANG
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9. An example of such construction has been the building of launcher covers, or cocoons.
These cocoons are generally constructed on site and consist of two elongated halves that are mounted
on rails at the launch position and can be moved along the rails toward the launcher until they
cover it (Figure 4).
10. The construction begins with a framework the same size and shape as the finished cocoon
(Figure 5). The type of material used in the finished product is not known, but it is believed to
be relatively lightweight; the purpose of the cocoon is probably to protect the CSA-1 launcher from
the elements rather than from an enemy attack. There are several reasons that suggest the cocoon
is of lightweight construction rather than of the heavy construction that would be expected for
a passive defensive measure:
a. The Chinese usually park the CSA-1 transporter with the missile (under canvas) at
the launch position rather than placing the missile on the launcher. Therefore, covering
the launcher with the cocoon would leave the missile unprotected in the event of
enemy attack. If the missile were placed on the launcher, the cocoon would not be
large enough to cover both the missile and the launcher.
b. Based on the dimensions of the cocoon, if concrete blocks and poured concrete were
the construction materials, each half of the cocoon would weigh approximately 8 tons.
The truck-mounted cranes associated with CSA-1 sites have a lifting capacity of only
5.5 tons and therefore could not be used to position the cocoon at the launch area.
c. There is photographic evidence that the cocoons are handled several times before being
placed in their final position on the rails. This would suggest relatively light weight
and easy handling.
(Continued p. 8)
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Training Activity
11. The three known SAM training areas in China (Figure 1) have shown an increase in activity
since June 1973.
12. The San-yuan SAM Training Area continued to be the most active area
and presently contains nine and possibly ten battalions of CSA-1 equipment. The activity was probably
centered around the guidance radars, indicating two possibilities -- a concentrated training program
for radar operators or the modification of the guidance radars or other electronics equipment.
13. At Shan-tan SAM Training Area A
the amount of support equipment had increased to the level of early 1972, which was approximately
85 vehicles. This increase occurred after a steady decrease in support equipment through the remainder
of 1972 and early 1973, when the equipment count reached a low of 24 vehicles
14. Shan-tan SAM Training Area B a live-fire trainin
by three launchers and other support equipment (no missiles)
which was the first time that missile equipment had been ob
The equipment was no
longer present
area, was occupied
MAPS OR CHARTS
US Air Target Chart, Series 200, scale 1:200,000
RELATED DOCUMENTS
DDI/IAR SAM Training Areas in China, Mar 68 (TOP SECRET RUFF)
NPICJ IN-052/73, CSA-1 SAM Site Displaying New Hardening Concept, Ta-chin-tao, China, May 73
(TOP SECRET RUFF)
NPI PIR-026/73, Status of CSA-1 Sites, China, Aug 73 (TOP SECRET RUFF)
REQUIREMENT
Project 120704NB
TOP SECRET RUFF
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