NEW MOBILE SOLID-PROPELLANT MRBM UNDER DEVELOPMENT, CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84T00171R000300410001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 23, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 1, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/23: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000300410001-4
imagery analysis report
New Mobile Solid-Propellant
MRBM Under Development, China (S)
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IAR-0067/83
NOVEMBER 1983
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Top Secret RUFF
NEW MOBILE SOLID-PROPELLANT MRBM UNDER DEVELOPMENT
CHINA (S)
OVERVIEW
1. Activity observed since May 1983 at Wuzhai Missile Test Complex I (China,
has indicated that a two-stage, solid-propellant, medium-range, ballistic missile (MRBM) system
for mobile land-based deployment is in the mid-to-late stages of development. The missile system
can replace the Chinese short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) and the CSS-1 MRBM. During the
? late 1970s and early 1980s, these two older missiles were gradually being removed from the
Chinese ballistic missile operational forces. (S/WN)
2. The missile will probably be a direct derivative of the CSS-NX-3-the submarine-launched
ballistic missile (SLBM) which has been under development for 15 years-and will be launched
from a transporter/erector/launcher (TEL), which uses an erectable launch tube/canister.
Measurements of ejection test dummies (ETDs) have indicated that the new missile will be
identical in size and configuration to the CSS-NX-3. The new missile will probably be either
identical to the CSS-NX-3 or will include only slight internal modifications to some of its
subsystems. Previous flight tests of the CSS-NX-3 at Wuzhai have probably achieved test objectives
for both the SLBM and the land-based missile programs. Imagery of August and September 1983
has shown that a new prototype launch pad for land-based deployment has been completed at
Wuzhai and that at least two, and as many as four, ejection tests have been conducted from the
TEL. (S/WN)
3. Recent test activity observed at Wuzhai has indicated that this missile program is in the
mid-to-late, rather than in the early, stages of development. It is, therefore, anticipated that
deployment of the new missile system will be started by 1985. Because the new missile system will
operate with far less ground support equipment (GSE) than the systems it will replace, this system
will be much simpler to conceal in inconspicuous buildings or caves at missile bases and
considerably easier to disperse and hide during field deployment. Included in this report are four
annotated photographs and three line drawings. The information cutoff date is
F__1 (S/WN)
DESCRIPTION
New Missile System
4. Based on observations and mensuration of four ETDs seen at Wuzhai in August, the new
missile will probably be a direct derivative of the CSS-NX-3 SLBM-a two-stage, solid-propellant
missile which uses composite propellant. Without the payload, the CSS-NX-3 is long
and in diameter. Five flight tests of this missile-the most recent in April 1983-have
been conducted from Wuzhai SSM Research/Development/Training Launch Site A1/A2/A3 (BE
(S WN)WN)
One flight test has been conducted from the modified GOLF-class submarine.'
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New Launch Position
5. A new launch pad, designated Launch Position A4 (Figure 1), was constructed at Launch
Site A. Launch Position A4 (Figure 2) is asquare launch pad with a missile-loading
apron approximately long. It is north of Launch Position A3, a launch pad 25X1
used in the past for CSS-2 launches only. The configuration and size of the new launch position
indicate that it is a prototype for the new missile system and not for the CSS-2. Launch pads for
the CSS-2 are normally square, and associated missile-loading aprons are at least= 25X1
meters long. (S/WN)
6. Construction of the new launch position (Figure 3) began between 25X1
On 0 a square excavation was observed at the edge of the apron for Launch 25X1
Position A3. By the apron for Launch Position A3 had been expanded to include the new 25X1
launch position. On imagery of 0 a cable trench and at least three, and possibly four, 25X1
positioning marks/tiedown points were discernible on the apron. By two probable 25X1
umbilical towers had been installed next to the new launch position, and three camera/instru-
mentation positions had been installed nearby (Figure 1). Also, one new light standard had been
installed, and one of the existing light standards had been repositioned outside the apron
extension. A new access road had been constructed at the south edge of the apron. By being
driven across Launch Position A3, the TEL for the new missile system could reach Launch Position
A4 via this road. (S/WN)
Ground Support Equipment
7. The TEL (Figures 4 and 5) for the new missile was observed for the first time on 25X1
at Launch Position A4. This TEL includes an erectable launch tube/canister and a long 25X1
transporter section. Two hydraulic actuators for erecting the launch tube/canister and a possible
block-and-tackle were discernible. The launch tube/canister-with a hinged cover and at least
three ribs-is approximately 11 meters long and 2 meters in diameter. Because the TEL is used
with a launch pad, the launch tube/canister-when erected-probably rests on a launch stand or
on supports. The launch stand or supports may not be separate from the TEL but may be integral
parts. The transporter section is probably a trailer. A truck-tractor, possibly the prime mover for
the TEL, was observed on Oparked on the apron at Launch Position Al, south of Launch 25X1
Position A4. However, it is possible that the TEL is self-propelled. The end of the TEL opposite the
launch tube/canister hinge might be an open cab, with two seats on either side of an engine
compartment. An unidentified, circular feature is in the center of the TEL. Two concepts of the
TEL have been developed-a trailer (Figure 6) and a self-propelled vehicle (Figure 7). The
possibility also exists that the TEL being used at Wuzhai is for tests rather than for deployment.
Additional imagery is required to resolve several remaining uncertainties about the missile
system, including the configuration of the TEL and the GSE complement that will support the
missile. In addition to the truck-tractor, other possible test-associated GSE parked on the apron at
Launch Position Al on L included one cab-over-engine truck prime mover and one 25X1
cherry-picker crane. (TSR)
8. The new TEL had apparently been involved in ejection tests prior to
a CSS-NX-3 ETD (Figure 4) was on the ground near Launch Position A4. A payload
(Continued p. 7)
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r
L
? POSITIONING MARK/TIEDOWN POINT
A PROB UMBILICAL TOWER
10.
DIMENSIONS IN METERS
FIGURE 2. LINE DRAWING OF LAUNCH POSITION A4
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FIGURE 7. CONCEPT OF TEL AS A SELF-PROPELLED VEHICLE
section and a possible launch assist device (LAD) were on the ground next to the ETD. Also on
A4 loading azimuth. The azimuth/range grid is used to measure the distance and azimuth of the
ETD impact point downrange from the TEL after ejection. By Da second ETD was on the
ground near Launch Position A4. Vehicle tire tracks in the area indicated that the ETD had
probably impacted along the azimuth/range grid and had then been moved. An excavation
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LOA I
observed on in the middle of the grid probably marked the location of the ETD 25X1
impact. The ETD robabl had to be extricated from the ground before it could be removed
.
Imagery of revealed four ETDs in the Wuzhai complex. One remained at Launch 25X1
Site A, and three were at the nearby Wuzhai SSM Support Facility Imagery of[
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showed at least four ETD payload sections on the ground near Launch Position A4. 2bAl
Therefore, as many as four ejection tests were conducted in August. (S/WN)
Status of Missile Program
9. Because the new missile will probably be either identical or similar to the CSS-NX-3
SLBM, previous flight tests of the SLBM have probably achieved test objectives of both the SLBM
and the new missile. Therefore, if the August ejection tests were successful, the first flight test
from the new TEL at prototype Launch Position A4 could occur by early 1984. Launches from the
TEL will probably also satisfy missile reliability testing for the SLBM program. (S/WN)
10. If flight tests from the TEL are successful, deployment of the new missile could begin by
1985. The mobile land-based, solid-propellant MRBM can replace the SRBM and the CSS-1
MRBM. The last three regiments of active CSS-1 MRBMs are expected to be retired or placed in
reserve by 1985. (S/WN)
Top Secret IAR-0067/83
chalk lines forming an azimuth/range grid were on the ground along the Launch Position
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IMAGERY ANALYST'S COMMENTS
11. Previous experience with Chinese land-based, strategic missile deployment has shown
that while an associated missile was undergoing flight testing, bases and launch sites for
deployment were under construction. If this practice is continued, bases and launch sites for the
new system are now under construction. Previous experience has also shown that new
deployment is easier to detect during construction. Camouflage along with underground
locations can hinder or prevent the detection of facilities after they have been completed. It is
believed that some Chinese launch sites remain undetected for precisely these reasons. In
addition, some areas in China suitable for missile deployment have not been covered on imagery
for as long as three years or more; therefore, some sites for the new missile may have already
gone undetected. (S/WN)
12. The new missile system will be operated with far less GSE than previous Chinese missile
systems. The use of less GSE will result in greater mobility for the new missile and will also make it
much more difficult to detect. CSS-2 missile launch units require approximately 30 vehicles-
including transporters, propellant trucks, and support vans-for field deployment. In contrast, a
mobile solid-propellant missile would require approximately six vehicles, including the TEL. A
launch unit of this size could be garrisoned in one cave or in one multibay garage and could be
deployed to virtually any place in China accessible by a tractor-trailer. (S/WN)
All applicable satellite imagery acquired prior to
used in the preparation of this report. (S/WN)
DOCUMENT
Beijing Review, "Successful Launching of Carrier Rocket," p 5, 25 Oct 82 (UNCLASSIFIED)
Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to
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East Asian Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, N
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