HELWAN, UAR (EGYPT) AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05439A000300210032-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 21
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 8, 2000
• Sequence Number: 32
• Publication Date: February 17, 1964
• Content Type: MF

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Approved For Release 2001/03/03 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300210032-4
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 Approved For Release 2001/03/03 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300210032-4
TCS No. 1282/64-KH
IB No. 87/64
17 February 1964
Copy /
25X1A ATTENTION M/FW
THROUGH Chief, Requirements Branch, Reconnaissance Group, CGS
FROM Chief, CIA/PID (NPIC)
SUBJECT Helwan, UAR (Egypt) Aircraft Industry
REFERENCES (1) Requirement No. C-RR3-80,835
(2) Project No. C 1706/63
1. This memorandum is in response to the above referenced requirement
calling for a detailed, chronological analysis of the Helwan Aircraft and Engine
Plant located approximately 15 nm south of Cairo, UAR at coordinates 29 5ON -
31 19E. It was also requested that "telepromter" slides of the graphic portion
of this study be supplied to the requester as well as a "minicard" copy of the
25X1A entire memorandum to both of ORR.
2. The photography used in this memorandum consisted of 13 different missions
25X1D spanning a period of A chronological
discussion of each mission is as follows:
25X1 D
25X1 D
a. (CIA/PID/IB-P-261/64) - Helwan
Airfield was s.n operational Egyptian Air Force station utilizing British
Spitfire Fighter Aircraft. Construction activity consisted of: a large
assembly building, a machine shop, and a warehouse very near completion
and the foundation of an administration and/or research building. Large
amounts of building materials were stored at the rail spur and at the
building sites.
I,- b. (CIA/PID/IB-P-262/64) - Helwan
continued its role as an operational air station as nine aircraft (six
Spitfire and three unidentified) were observed in the hangar area and the
normal military recreational facilities (soccer field, basketball court
sports track, and swimming pool) were in evidence. The structures that were
under construction on the previous coverage, though appearing to be complete,
were not producing. New construction at this time consisted of a machine
shop/workshop (complete) and the foundations for two unidentified, heavily
bunkered buildings. There was a very obvious lack of building materials
anywhere in the area.
DECLASSIFICATION REVIEW BY NIMA / DoD
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25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
c. (CIA/PID/IB-P-263/64) - It was at
this time that Helwan no longer appeared to be operational. There were no
aircraft or vehicles visible. The only construction activity was on the
two unidentified bunkered buildings which appeared to be nearing completion.
d. (CIA/PID/IB-P-264/64) - Helwan, at
this time, began to take on the appearance of an aircraft plant with a new
engine test facility, a new research laboratory, and an engine assembly
building (under construction). Also added in the - gap in the 25X1
photographic coverage was a security fence, with ten guard towers,surrounding
the production area. Landscaping also became evident at this time. There
was, however, no visual evidence of any production taking place.
e. (CIA/PID/IB-P-265/64) - At the
end of another gap in aerial surveilance little change had taken
place. Two new machine shops had been added and the engine assembly
building was complete. There was however, alarge concentration of
earth-moving equipment at the southeast end of one of the four old runways.
f? (CIA/PID/IB-P-266/64) - Just a few
from the previous coverage work was begun on a new runway
and taxiway. This is a completely new runway and not an extension of an
existing one. It is being built on a different axis and wider and thicker
than any existing one at the time. Change was also taking place in the
factory complex in the form of roof modifications to the large assembly
building and the nearby machine shop. Roof monitors, probably for increased
ventilation were being installed.
25X1D -g. (CIA/PID/IB-P-26764) - Helwan
at this point, with its new runway 8,200' x 150' (asphalt with concrete
ends) and a new concrete apron, covering approximately ten acres, on the
south side of the factory complex, appears-to be ready for production. The
only evidence of this production in an unidentified aircraft, possibly a
mock-up of the Messerschmitt designed HA-300, parked near the large assembly
building.
25X1D --h. (CIA/PID/IB-P-26864) - Very
25X1D little change has taken place in the since the previous coverage
with the exception of the removal of some warehouses in the center of the
factory complex. The same unidentified aircraft as described in paragraph
25X1D g is in approximately the same position as it was previous.
A possible Spanish CASA-202 transport aircraft is undergoing repairs near the
large hangar on the southwest edge of the factory complex.
25X1D i. (CIA/PID/IB-P-269 64) - A
new three story "L"-shaped research building and a small hangar were
25X1D constructed during the interval in photographic coverage. Other
than two warehouses that are under construction, there are no signs of
acitivity.
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j? (CIA/PID/IB-P-27064) - A large
fabrication building seen for the first time on this mission, with
nearly 257,000 square feet of floorspace was approximately fifty
percent completed. Also under construction at this time was a machine
shop/workshop.
25X1D k. (CIA/PID/IB-P-27164) - New test
facilities - highlight the extensive expansion activity that took
25X1D place during the interval of photographic coverage. These two
new test facilities, one still under construction the date of this
coverage, are very large compared to other test facilities through-out the
world and it is believed that they will be used to test an entire weapons
system i.e. engine, airframe, control surfaces ect. The large hangar and
the two small hangars located on the southwest edge of the complex have
probably been converted to storage buildings because the apron has been
torn up for some unidentified construction. Other new structures include:
one research building, four warehouses, two motor pool sheds, and a POL
storage tank. The large fabrication building is very near completion
and the machine shop/workshop mentioned in paragraph j has been completed.
25X1D 1. (CIA/PID/IB-P-27264) - As of this
photographic mission (the latest available) all aforementioned construction
activity has been completed except for the unidentified activity taking
place on the concrete apron near the test facilities. There is, however,
no indication of production. 25X1D
An annotated line drawing (CIA/PID/IB-P-27364) has been provided
along with a list of all structures, considered to be of importance, which
25X1D includes: type, dimensions, number of floors, floorspace and volumn of each
structure. The measurements given were taken from photographic mission
25X1D ~~~~and are considered to be accurate
all heights.
25X1A 3. The requester, reviewed the ra hic
g p portion of this
memorandum cn 13 February 1964 and was very pleased with the progress and content.
25X1A Because of the additional work and minicarding required extended the
due date to 19 February 1964.
4. The photo analyst on this project was who can 25X1A
be contacted on extension 2547, should any question concerning this memorandum
arise. This requirement is considered complete.
25X1A
ENCLOSURES:
1 Annotated Map (CIA/PID/IB-P-26004)
12 Annotated Photos (CIA/PID/IB-P-261/64 thru P-27204 and P-27564)
1 Annotated Drawing (CIA/PID/IB-P-27364
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Approved For Release 2001/03/03 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300210032-4
Approved For Release 2001/03/03 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300210032-4