AIRCRAFT DECONTAMINATION ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH CHINESE NUCLEAR TESTS (TSR)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 19, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 1, 1979
• Content Type: REPORT

oa~~apa~a~oo~ Q~a~~a
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19 :CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19 :CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1
~~ ~~~~~c~~..,ll ,
25X1 ``?
25X1 ?~
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19 :CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19 :CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19 :CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1
AIRCRAFT DECONTAMINATION ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH CHINESE NUCLEAR TESTS
(TSR
1. (TSR) Analysis of a recently identified decontamination facility at the main support airfield for
the Chinese nuclear test program has provided evidence which could serve as an indicator of sampler
aircraft types to be used in future nuclear tests in the People's Republic of China (PRC). The evidence also
reinforces the postulation that no nuclear detonation took place in the 13 September 1979 nuclear test
attempt at GZ-2. ~
2. (TSR) The decontamination facility for the air crew, sampler aircraft, and other aircraft that may
have been contaminated in Chinese nuclear tests has been identified at Uxxaktal (Wu-shih-to-la) Airfield
The facility, which was constructed in 1966 and expanded. in 1977, consists of three 25X1
vehicle and personnel decontamination facilityz at the 25X1
decontamination buildings, clotheslines, and three liquid-waste collection pits linked by _ underground
pipelines to an aircraft washdown apron. The Uxxaktal Facilit close] resembles a reviousl re orted
The Uxxaktal Decontamination Facility was previously reported as an aircraft weapons 25X1
maintenance area3 containing afiring-in butt, dollies, and crates near an aircraft gun testing apron. It is
now apparent that the apron is used for both pretest decontamination rehearsals (Figure 1) and posttest
decontamination operations (Figures 2, 3, and 4) by a decontamination unit which was previously identi-
fied at this airfield.4
3. (TSR) An imagery-derived analysis was made .of activity observed at this facility after 13 of the 22
Chinese nuclear tests conducted between 1966 and 1979 (Table 1). Decontamination activity was detected
at the facility after ten tests. No activity was observed on coverage following CHICs 20 and 24 (under-
ground tests) and CHIC 15 (an airdrop test), nor after the 13 September 1979 test attempt. This indicates
that there was no nuclear detonation which contaminated the sampler aircraft.
4. (TSR) The rehearsals for posttest decontamination operations are usually marked by the appear-
ance of a single probable sampler aircraft at the washdown apron followed by apron staining and practice
aircraft engine decontamination operations involving the use of dollies and lifting equipment. ARS-12-
type decontaminaiton vehicles are also deployed to the decontamination facility from the support area of
Uxxaktal Airfield.
Top Secret is R_n~ ini~g
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19 :CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19 :CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1
Next 2 Page(s) In Document Denied
Q
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19 :CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19 :CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1
Top Secret RUFF
Table 1.
1966 -1979 Decontamination Indicators at the Uxxaktal Decontamination Facility
This table in its entirety is classified TOP SECRET RUFF
Test Activity
Date(s)
CHIC 6
(17 Jun 67)
CHIC 10
(29 Sep 69)
CHIC 14
(18 Mar 72)
CHIC 16
(17 Jun 74)
CHIC 17
(27 Oct 75)
CHIC 18
(23 Jan 76)
CHIC 19
(26 Sep 76)
CHIC 22
(17 Sep 77)
CHIC 23
(15 Mar 78)
CHIC 25
(14 Dec 78)
Decontamination Activity/Equipment
7 prob FARMER & 4 tents
2, poss 3, fighter aircraft & 8 prob engine crates
3 fighter aircraft & 7 tents
5 FARMER, 2 with tail-sections removed;
5 tents; 12 engine crates; & a stained washdown pit (Fig 2)
1 HOUND, 2 ARS-12-type decontamination vehicles,
27 engine crates, 1 other vehicle, & a stained
washdown pit observed approximately 4 hours
after detonation of CHIC 17 (Fig 3)
4 FARMER & 4 tents
Rehearsal -unid equipment on washdown apron, 2 ARS-12-type
decontamination vehicles, & more than 58 engine crates (Fig 1)
Rehearsal - 1 FARMER, 2 unid vehicles, & 58 engine crates
3 FARMER with tail sections removed, one prob
ARS-12-type decontamination vehicle, 3 unid vehicles,
& a stained washdown pit
Rehearsal - 1 FARMER & 72 engine crates
2 fighter aircraft with tail sections removed,
a stained washdown pit, & 78 engine crates
Rehearsal - 1 fighter aircraft, 3 prob
ARS-12-type decontamination vehicles, a stained washdown apron,
& 78 crates
Rehearsal - 1 FARMER, 1 ARS-12-type decontamination vehicle,
& 78 crates
2 FARMER with tail sections removed,
3 unid vehicles, 1 bus, clothes on drying line,
& 84 engine crates (Fig 4)
Rehearsal - 1 FARMER, unid equipment on washdown apron,
staining on washdown apron, & 84 engine crates
Rehearsal - 1 fighter aircraft, unid equipment,
1 poss ARS-12-type decontamination vehicle,
& staining on washdown apron
Rehearsal - 1 FARMER , 1 LA-17 drone, unid equipment
& staining on washdown apron, & 1 unid vehicle
Test Attempt No equipment or aircraft present;
(13 Sep 79) no evidence of decontamination activity
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19 :CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1
-5-
Top Secret IAR-0110/79
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19 :CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1
Top Secret RUFF
5. (TSR) Following a nuclear test, the decontamination operations at the Uxxaktal Decontamina-
tion Facility usually involve air crew decontamination in the washdown building, external washdown of
contaminated aircraft, and the subsequent removal and replacement of contaminated engines. Fluctua-
tions in the number of engine crates near the washdown basin may indicate that the contaminated aircraft
engines have been removed to a separate plant for more specialized cleansing operations, possibly enabling
the engines to be reused.
1. NPIC. I ~ IAR-A079/79, Impact Point of Nuclear Test Debris. Loo Nur (Lon NorJ Nuclear Test
Site, PRC (TSRJ, Oct 79 (TOP SECRET
2. OIA. IAS ESD-77/76, Decontamination Facilities in the Lop Nor Nuclear Test Site. China, 9
Mar 76 (TOP SECRET
3. DIA. RDA-05/0014/69, Wu-shi-ta-la Airfield, Aug 69 (TOP SECRET
4. NPIC. ~
(TOP SECRET
~ PIN-008/75, Probable Decontamination Unit at Wu-shih-ta-la Airfield, China, Jul 75
Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
25X1
25X1
~~X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
L ~JC "I
Asian 25X1
25X1
Top Secret IAR-O1 /0/79
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19 :CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19 :CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/05/19 :CIA-RDP80T00556A000100040001-1