NEW PROBABLE MOBILE MISSILE TEL CHASSIS, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 20, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 1, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
NE OMMMOTMOM MUM
uouoaig~Py ~uoaiDy?u? ?~~?QQ
New hchtKt .M\(u)[Hooen, MoPOohl-
TOP. 'Osum
25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9 = J
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
Top Secret RUFF
NEW PROBABLE MOBILE MISSILE
TEL CHASSIS, USSR (S)
1. (S/WN) A new, heavy-duty vehicle chassis (Figures 1 and 2), probably for a new strategic
mobile missile transporter-erector-launcher (TEL), was observed at the Minsk Motor Vehicle and
Guided Missile Support Equipment Plant
2. (S/WN) The new probable TEL chassis is longer than the SS-
16/-20 TEL chassis produced at the Minsk Plant. Although the front two axles could not be seen
because of shadow, the new chassis probably has six axles. The rear four axles apparently are in
the same position as those on the SS-16/-20 TEL chassis. The front two axles on
the new chassis may have been moved forward to accommodate the additional length which
appears to be incorporated in the area immediately behind the vehicle's cab. Recent activities at
the Plesetsk Missile/Space Test Center have suggested that a longer TEL might be
required for the new mobile ICBM that will be tested at the range in the near future. The=
meter chassis observed at Minsk could be a limited modification of the standard six-axle chassis
for use other than a mobile missile TEL (e.g., a heavy-duty mobile crane, a large pipe carrier, etc.).
Until the longer chassis is observed fitted out as a TEL, its function cannot be confirmed.
3. (S/WN) Six-axle chassis of this length have not been identified at any other missile
equipment production or development facility. Six-axle chassis, long, were observed
at the Minsk Plant on and at Bronnitsy Armored Vehicle
Research Facility These chassis were probably stand-
ard,Ochassis with load simulators which overhung at the rear, resulting in the additional
length. This analysis is supported by attache photography of a standard-length, SS-16/-20 chassis
(Figure 5) on the Minsk ring-road in August 1981. This vehicle was carrying a steel, boxlike load
simulator which overhung the rear of the chassis by approximately) I giving the vehicle
an overall length of
SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS
4. (S/WN) Observations of TELs longer than the normal) have been reported at
SS-16- and SS-20-associated facilities in the past. Reanalysis of these observations suggests that
these vehicles were standard,~long, six-axle TELs and that the longer dimensions were
a product of appendages and/or interpretability of imagery used for mensuration. Some of these
observations are discussed below.
Kapustin Yar General Support Area
5. (S/WN) A canvas-covered, standard, SS-20 TEL with a tailgatelike a
extending from the rear was observed at Kapustin Yar General Support Area
November 1975 (Figure 6) and again in July 1977. The appendage was approx
Top Secret
mately
endage
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
2bAl
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
Top Secret RUFF
FIGURE 2. ARTIST'S CONCEPTION OF NEW PROBABLE TEL CHASSIS. Location of front two axles
is postulated.
Top Secret
25X1
;25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
Top Secret RUFF
long, giving the vehicle an overall length of The purpose of the tailgate is unknown,
but it may have been an open-access panel, temporarily attached work platform, or shipping
apparatus.
25X1
25X1
Pos aavy SS1 Tvaai nh i g laacifity
during the
long vehicle (Figure 7) was reported at Postavy SSM Training Facility
summer of 1979. Precise mensuration indicated that the vehicle was
probably a standard, ~ six-axle chassis with a canvas-covered load simulator that over-
hung the rear of the vehicle, creatin an overall length of The wheel separation was
identical to that of the standard chassis. The load simulator appeared similar in shape
and size to the one seen at Minsk during the same timeframe. Throughout the summer of 1979,
similar assemblies of mobile missile-related vehicles (Figure 8) were seen concurrently at Postavy
and Minsk. The presence of a resolution target (Figure 9) at Postavy duringr the same period
strongly suggests that a test involving overhead imaging systems was underway. The proximity of
the two facilities, 85 miles a part, would permit comparative imaging of both from either satellite
or aircraft. In fact, both facilities were imaged on sequential imagery on
=These tests may have been an assessment of an overhead imaging system's ability to discern
characteristics and precise dimensions of mobile missile equipment.
llIesetsO f lu s De/Space Centtp
7. (TSR) A probable SS-16 TEL identified on at Plesetsk ICBM
Launch Test Site 16 was originally mensurated as long (F,igure 10).1
Remensuration, of this imagery on the high-precision stereo comparator indicates that the Ples-
etsk vehicle was approximatelyFlong, the same length as the standard SS-20 TEL. This
has been the only identification of a probable SS-16 TEL at Plesetsk.
-4-
Top Secret IAR-0086/82
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
Iq
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
Top Secret RUFF
IMAGERY ANALYST'S COMMENTS
8. (S/WN) The review of imagery, as far back as 1972, of Soviet facilities involved in the
development and production of strategic mobile missile TELs produced no evidence to substanti-
ate postulation that the SS-16 TEL is longer than the SS-20 TEL. Facilities reviewed in the study
included the Minsk Plant, producer of the basic chassis; Volgograd Steel and Machinery Plant
Krasnyy Barricada where the chassis are fitted out with the missile-related appa-
ratus; the Bronnitsy Armored Vehicle Research Facility, where acceptance testing is done; and
the two test centers, Plesetsk and Kapustin Yar, where the systems underwent flight testing. In
each instance where original mensuration had suggested a longer TEL, reanalysis indicated that
the vehicles were probably standard,OTELs/chassis and that the additional length in the
original measurements was because of a nonstandard feature or image interpretability. The=
meter chassis seen at Minsk in March 1982 was probably a new vehicle. The chassis will probably
be used for the TEL with the new solid mobile ICBM follow-on to the SS-16.
Top Secret
25X1
25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
Top Secret RUFF
(S/WN) All applicable satellite imagery acquired from January 1972 through I
was used in
25X1
preparation of this report.
1.
NPIC.I I IAR-0081/82, Activity in Support of New ICBM Flight Test Programs at Plesetsk,
25X1
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to the Missile
Production Section, Soviet Strategic Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Grou , NPIC or green
of the Imagery Exploitation Group.
eport:
25X1
25X1
25X1
-8-
Top Secret IAR-0086/82 25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9
Top Secret
Top Secret
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/20: CIA-RDP82T00709R000201140001-9