SS-X-24 MEDIUM-SOLID ICBM, USSR STRATEGIC WEAPONS INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES

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Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP84T00171R000301540001-9
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RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
T
Document Page Count: 
15
Document Creation Date: 
December 28, 2016
Document Release Date: 
January 19, 2012
Sequence Number: 
1
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
December 1, 1983
Content Type: 
REPORT
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PDF icon CIA-RDP84T00171R000301540001-9.pdf710.56 KB
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 if ap, ~~OCTM '' NnFQRNI 25X1 ~3CCA~~/??B4/~~ . DE CE25X1 a 1983 copy 42 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 ?11 A1IE GE1 C P/`J~AE ONS ,fN?N.S5Tl lM M CUL(1ID~~ NSSIR ' 25X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Top Secret m-Sized Solid Propellant ICBM (S) ACIC, USATC, Series 200, Sheets, 0102-9,10, 0154-23, 0167-7, 0234-22,24 scale 1:200,000 Installation Name Geographic Coordinates Krasnoarmeysk Solid Motor 56-07-50N Development Facility 038-09-54E Pavlograd Solid Motor 48-34-02N Production Plant 035-49-15E Pavlograd Ordnance Research 48-29-28N and Development Facility 035-57-12E Pavlograd Solid Motor Assembly 48-27-02N & Test Support Facility 035-57-25E Pavlograd Solid Motor Test 48-26-OON Facility 035-58-23E Plesetsk Missile/Space Test 62-57-47N Center SSM 040-22-43E Plesetsk Missile Handling 62-46-19N Facility 040-22-43E Plesetsk Eastern Support 62-56-40N Facility 041-26-13E Plesetsk Launch Test Site 14 62-58-16N 041-33-39E Plesetsk Launch Test Site 22 63-53-22N 041-45-37E Plesetsk Launch Test Site 28 62-52-45N 041-45-OOE Safonovo Plastics Plant 55-05-11N 033-14-55E Category ABSTRACT 25X1 25X1 1. Based on the status of production-related facilities, series production of a new medium-solid ICBM, designated the SS-X-24, could begin in mid-to-late 1984. The current SS-X-24 flight test phase-to date less than successful-may have a great effect on determining when series production will begin. This report discusses the SS-X-24 from prototype motor development, motor testing, plant and test center expansion, and flight testing, through projected deployment mode(s). (S/WN) 2. This report, which updates NPIC Report contains two location maps, 14 annotated 25X1 photographs, and a chart of program milestones. The information cutoff date is S/WN) 25X1 INTRODUCTION Top Secret Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 COMIREX NIETB No (MRN) Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Top Secret 25X1 25X1 5. The SS-X-24 is being flight tested at Plesetsk Missile/Space Test Center SSM. The logistical support facilities at the test center include the Missile Handling Facility and the Eastern Support Facility. Three launch sites for the silo-launch phase of flight testing are at Plesetsk: Launch Test Site (LTS) 28, LTS 22, and LTS 14. A rail-served probable ICBM launch test facility, under construction next to LTS 28, and other rail- associated construction at Plesetsk indicate that flight testing of a rail-mobile variant of the SS-X-24 will probably take place. The SS-X-24 will probably be used to replace the silo-based SS-17 ICBM and possibly some SS-11 ICBMs. Silo deployment is not expected to take place until at least 1985. Rail-mobile deploy- ment would come even later. (S/WN) L K II,) T S K ^1. PAVLOGRAD ORDNANCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITY LITY 2. PAVLOGRAD SOLID MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND TEST SUPPORT FACI 3. PAVLOGRAD SOLID MOTOR PRODUCTION PLANT 4. PAVLOGRAD SOLID MOTOR TEST FACILITY 5. PLESETSK MISSILE/SPACE TEST CENTER SSM 6. SAFONOVO PLASTICS AND GUIDED MISSILE COMPONENTS PLANT 7. MOSKVA SOLID MOTOR PRODUCTION PLANT LYUBERTSY S. KRASNOARMEYSK SOLID MOTOR DEVELOPMENT FACILITY r-11, -7-7 7 FIGURE 1. LOCATION OF FACILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE SS-X-24 PROGRAM BASIC DESCRIPTION Prototype Motor Development bertsy. 1968, construction began on a new composite propellant line at Lyubertsy to support the devel- opment of a new motor(s). The line was probably operational by the end of 1971. Since the SS-16 was in development before this date, this construction timing indicates that the new line was for the 15ZH43. During the first half of 1972, several large motor cases or shipping containers, probably pro- totype fiberglass motor cases for the 15ZH43, were observed next to the largest test position at Lyu- 25X1 b Motor Case Development 7. A filament-wound, fiberglass motor case was under development at the Safonovo Plastic Plant in the early 1970s with the assistance of the Lyubertsy plant.3 The size of the case, 9 meters long by 2 meters in diameter, is compatible with the cases/shipping containers seen at Lyubertsy during 1972. Between 1964 and 1972, at Safonovo, major construction, most likely related to an in- creased fiberglass winding capability, took place. First-stage shipping crates were identified at Safo- novo during 1974 and 1975. Static Testing 25X1 25X1 -2- Top Secret RCA-09/0024/83 25X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Top S 1978, possible evidence for acceptance testing of the 9-meter-long motor was observed at Krasnoar- meysk Solid Motor Production Facility, where a canvas-covered, possible motor case was seen on a railcar behind the large horizontal test position in the assembly checkout and test area. Frequent imagery obtained during August revealed a high volume of static testing at the large test position. (S/WN) Flight Test Missile Production Motor Production 14. Production of solid motors for all three stages of the SS-X-24 is done at Pavlograd SMPP. Some of the stages were probably cast in the completed portion of the new solid motor pro- duction line, with the support of the original portions of the plant (Figure 2). This new line, started between September 1977 and August 1978, is not yet complete. The propellant mixing and motor casting portions of the line, however, were completed and separately secured by late 1981. The curing and motor finishing could have been done in original portions of the plant. This com- bined production capability appears to be suffi- cient for the limited production of motors for flight testing. (S/WN) Motor Case and Transport/Launch Canister Production 16. Five buildings, designated 92, 98, 99, 96, and 97, at Safonovo (Figure 3) were previously associated with the 15ZH43.3 After the probable end of the 15ZH43 program in October 1975, four of these buildings, then under construction, were completed, an indication that these buildings can be associated with the SS-X-24.3 The first of these five buildings was observed under construction in December 1972. Construction on the four build- ings was complete by 1981. The construction pace was considerably different for each building. Bldg No Date Started Date Externally Complete 92 Dec 72 late 77 98 & 99 Jan 74 late 76 96 Jul 78 Feb 81 97 mid-76 construction stopped in late 81 A manufacturing/fabrication building, Building 92, the largest and first complete SS-X-24-associated building, did not appear to have even a limited production capability until 1980. 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 existed. Analysis of imagery indicates t at since early 1981, almost two years before the first flight test, limited production had been taking place in Building 92. This production appears to be consis- tent with the operational capability of Building 96, the hydrostatic test building, which was not com- 25X1 plete until early 1981. Based on the timing of this construction, the items produced in the SS-X-24- associated buildings at Safonovo were not in- volved in the production of motors for the static testing phase for the 15ZH43, and probably not for the SS-X-24. It can therefore be extrapolated that these items were for the flight testin phase of the SS-X-24. 17. While no transport/launch canister for the SS-X-24 has been observed on imagery or Probable LADs have been observed near the silo after both test launches from Plesetsk LTS 22 (Figure 4) and one of the launches from LTS 28. Pavlograd ORDP indicate that motor case production possibly occurred at this plant. F 18. Motor cases for the SS-X-24 will possibly be produced at the Pavlograd ORDP (Figure 5). The time span of reports3 linking two buildings in the Pavlograd area with Safonovo and the dates of the renovation/construction of two buildings at Final Assembly 19. Final assembly and checkout of the SS-X- 24 for flight testing is probably being done at Pavlograd Solid Motor Assembly and Test Support Facility. Buildings associated with the SS-X-24 at the facility are annotated in Figure 6. (S/WN) 20. Construction was started on five build- ings (Figure 6; items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6), three assembly and two storage buildings, in late 1977 and early 1978. Four of these buildings were externally complete in mid-1980. Railcar activity observed at the facility since late 1981 indicates that some limited production/assembly has been taking place. Most likely, this production has been for the flight test missiles. (S/WN) Ground Support Equipment 21. No production facilities have been iden- tified for ground support equipment (GSE) associ- ated with the SS-X-24. Through August 1983, the GSE identified in support of the SS-X-24 flight test -5- Top Secret RCA -09/0024/83 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 9X1 25X1 25X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Top S phase at Plesetsk includes a missile transporter, a silo loader, an upper canister transporter-loader, a type IV warhead van, and several different pieces of silo/missile system checkout (S/MSC) vehicles. The missile transporter and silo loader are confi- gured differently from any GSE associated with the other missile systems, and the upper canister transporter-loader is a typical MAZ chassis with a specially-designed erecting mechanism. The type IV warhead van is associated with other MIRV missile systems. Components of two missile trans- porters and two silo loaders were shipped to the test center for final assembly, making the origin of production difficult to identify. If the Soviets continue this practice, the identification of the plant(s) where this GSE is produced will continue to be a problem. (S/WN) Flight Test Center Construction Activity 22. Preparations for the flight test phase of the SS-X-24 program began at Plesetsk (Figure 7) in 1978. Three LTS were either converted from exist- ing silos or scratch-built to support the silo- launched phase. LTS 14 and LTS 22 each have one silo and LTS 28 has two. New support facilities to support this phase of the program were con- structed at the Missile Handling Facility (MHF) and the Eastern Support Facility (ESF). Preparations for flight testing of a rail-mobile variant of the SS-X-24 began in mid-1981. A rail-served probable ICBM launch test facility next to LTS 28, a new probable missile receiving and checkout area at the MHF, a new missile-associated construction area, and the eastern extension of the main complex rail line all indicate that a rail mobile variant of the SS-X-24 will probably be tested. (S/WN) SS-X-24 Launch Test Silos 23. LTS 28 is a scratch-built launch site (Fig- ure 8). Construction on this dual-silo site began in early 1978. While the silos were essentially com- plete during 1980, final construction at the site wasn't complete until approximately mid-1982. The silos were constructed by using type IIIH (SS- 17) silo components and a unique new headworks, which increases the silo depth by about 4 meters. The new headworks component was placed be- tween the top of the third silo sleeve section and the bottom of the door pocket. A new, hexagonal plate/structure was atop of the silo door; it has not been observed on other type IIIH silo doors. A line drawing of the silo is presented in Figure 9. (S/W N) 24. Launch sites 22 and 14 were both con- verted from type IIIE (SS-13) silos to the LTS 28- type silo. LTS 22 was started in August 1978 and completed in mid-to-late 1982. LTS 14 was started at about the same time as LTS 22 and was exter- nally complete in August 1983. LTS 14 should be capable of supporting the SS-X-24 flight testing before the end of 1983. (S/WN) Rail-served Probable ICBM Launch Test Facility 25. Construction was started on a rail-served probable ICBM launch test facility next to LTS 28 (Figure 8) in late 1982. A buried launch control building, identical to the launch control building constructed between the two silos at LTS 28, was also started. Other features being added to this facility, similar to those at LTS 28, include a support building and at least five instrumentation build- ings. In addition, a 102-meter-long rail-in shed was constructed just northwest of the buried launch control building. (S/WN) Support Facilities 26. New construction has been initiated in both the MHF. and the ESF and is probably associ- ated with both the silo-based and rail-mobile variant phases of flight testing. The following three areas were added to the MHF (Figure 10): the SS- X-24 missile receiving and checkout area (MRACA), the silo materials receiving area (SMRA), and a new probable MRACA. (S/WN) 27. Construction of the SS-X-24 MRACA be- gan in 1978 and was complete in about September 1982. Rail-to-road probable missile transloading operations have been periodically observed dur- ing 1983 (Figure 11). In addition to the standard Soviet SRF 24-meter-long missile railcars associated with the SS-X-24, two unique 19-meter-long SS-X- 24-associated railcars have been identified. These unique railcars are probably used for shipment of SS-X-24 components to Plesetsk. (TSR) 28. A SMRA (Figure 12) was constructed next to the SS-13 receiving, inspection, and checkout area in the MHF in 1979. Silo components, used in the construction of the LTS 28-type silos, were delivered there. Although construction is essen- tially complete on the silos, silo components have remained in the SMRA since The remaining components included two type IIIH (Phase IV) silo doors and door pockets, five type IIIH silo liner sections, and one set of type IIIX (launch control silo) upper silo components. (S/W N) 29. A new probable MRACA (Figure 13) is presently under construction at the MHF probably to support a rail-mobile variant of the SS-X-24. All the main buildings at the new possible MRACA are rail served. A rail-through probable missile receiving and checkout building was also under construction. The high-bay portion of the building is served by three rail lines and an additional fourth rail line is alongside the low-bay side. These four rail lines extend to the north and join into one rail line which serves only the high-bay portion of a 104-meter-long high-bay building. This building will probably be associated with the calibration and checkout of the rail-mobile ICBM. A four-bay, rail-served probable interim missile storage building was also being constructed in the new probable MRACA. (S/WN) 30. Additional construction has been started at the ESF (Figure 14), the vehicle maintenance and storage area for equipment used at the eastern end of the range. A 50-meter-long, five-bay garage was constructed in mid-1980. This garage is used for SS-X-24 GSE (Figure 15). A possible post boost vehicle (PBV) propellant transfer area was con- structed in the southwest corner of the facility (Figure 14). This area was completed in February 1983 and will perhaps be used in support of the SS- -6- Top Secret RCA-09/0024/83 25X1 25X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000301540001-9 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000301540001-9 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000301540001-9 Top S ecret Rail line extension Road network Railroad - . - Powerl ine SS-X-24 launch test site A Space launch site ? Type I I IE launch site * Mobile ICBM facility j} SS-X-25 launch test site O Launch control facility V/// Site support facility FIGURE 7. FACILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH SS-X-24 FLIGHT TESTING, PLESETSK VPlC T-7826 NAUTICAL MILES 63 Da X-24 program, The PBV for the SS-X-24 probably uses liquid propellants, (S/WN) 31, Construction began on a rail-to-road transfer point (RTP) between the ESF rail siding and the Plesetsk main complex east/west road in February 1983 (Figure 14), (S/WN) 32. A new missile-associated construction area was identified in mid-1983, approximately 3 nm southwest of Plesetsk Launch Test Site 20 (BE and next to the right-of-way for the eastern extension of the main complex rail line. The new construction area consists of two loca- tions-a probable launch control silo and a rail- siding area, with a 102-meter-long rail-in shed (Figure 16), identical to the rail-in shed at the rail- served probable ICBM launch test facility. (S/WN) SS-X-24 Flight Tests: /tems 1-4 are classified SECRET; item 5 is classIfied 33, The new probable MRACA, the new RTP, and the new rail-served probable ICBM launch test facility are connected by the eastern extension of the main complex rail line at Plesetsk. This rail line extension extends at least to LTS 26 (Figure 7). Based on the construction pace for all this activity, the earliest that all the rail-associated construction could be finished would be during 1984, (S/WN) Flight Testing 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84T00171 R000301540001-9 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Top Secret Series Production 35. Series production of the SS-X-24 will probably be mainly carried out in the Pavlograd area. Some of the facilities associated with the series production of the SS-X-24 have been or soon will be completed. The stages for the missiles used in the current flight testing phase were built at Pavlograd, an indication that the production line there has at least a limited capability. While the facilities for series production of the SS-X-24 will probably be completed as early as mid-1984, a start up in series production of the SS-X-24 before successful completion of the flight test program would be unexpected. (S/WN) 36. The timing of the start of construction and the estimated completion date of the new SMPP at Pavlograd (Figure 2) indicate that the production line will probably be involved in SS-X- 24 series motor production. Construction on the rest of the line continued through August 1983. The curing building was externally completed in July 1983, and the X-ray test building was in the mid- to late-stages of construction. Footings were emplaced for another curing building in Septem- ber 1982; construction has not progressed past this point and it appears that its construction has been postponed. If the second curing building is not included, the earliest that the production line could be completed and ' ready for series production would be mid-to late 1984. (S/WN) 37. In possible related activity at Pavlograd ORDP, the start dates and pace of construction for buildings within this plant may indicate that the plant is also associated with series production of components for the SS-X-24. (S/WN) Final Assembly 38. Final assembly of the SS-X-24 will be done at the Solid Motor Assembly and Test Sup- port Facility in Pavlograd (Figure 6). Completed portions of this facility have been involved in the assembly of the flight test missiles. Construction has continued through August 1983. A fourth assembly building (Figure 6; item 7) was started in mid-1980. Also during this period, an administra- tion/engineering annex (Figure 6; item 10) was added and a checkout building (Figure 6; item 5), connected by covered walkway to the administra- tion/engineering annex, was constructed. (S/WN) 39. In early 1983, construction began on a' possible checkout building (Figure 6; item 9). Grading for the foundation of a new building (Figure 6; item 8) was started in spring 1983, and in late July 1983, grading for a probable new building (Figure 6; item 11) began in the northwest corner of the facility. These two new buildings are proba- bly not part of the SS-X-24 series production line. In spring 1983, a new security fence encompassing a 300- by 180-meters area was added to the northwest corner of the facility. This fence may indicate either that an additional building will be built or that the rail line will be extended to allow easier rail access. (S/WN) 40. The assembly building, started in mid- 1980, is externally complete but not operational. In addition, another small checkout building was in the midstage of construction. These buildings will most likely be finished in early to mid-1984, completing the SS-X-24 final assembly line for series production. (S/WN) Deployment Mode(s) 41. The SS-X-24 will probably replace at least the 150 deployed liquid-fueled SS-17s. Two facts support this. One, there has been no conclusive evidence of improvement or modification pro- grams for the SS-17. Two, silo components used in the LTS 28-type silos at Plesetsk are basically similar to those of a type IIIH silo, which the SS-17 system uses. (S/WN) 42. The production capacity of the SS-X-24 series production facilities appears to be more than would be needed if the SS-X-24 were meant only to replace the deployed SS-17s. The next most likely candidate for replacement by the SS-X-24 would be the SS-11. This liquid-fueled missile is deployed in type IIID silos; all the deployed type IIIH silos have been converted from non-modern- ized type IIID silos. Therefore, the Soviets could also replace some older SS-11s with the new SS-X- 24. The new missile may also be deployed in a rail- mobile mode. (S/WN) 43. Silo deployment of the SS-X-24 is not expected until at least 1985. Activity has been observed at Kostroma, one of the two SS-17 complexes. Preliminary construction near the RTP began between Al- though it is too early to associate this construction with future deployment of the SS-X-24, the lead time needed to support a silo conversion program plus the time to complete the first launch group would indicate a 1985 deployment. No new con- struction activity has been identified to date at Yedrovo, the other SS-17 complex. Construction of a second component handling area, in the mid- to late-stages of construction at Kozelsk, an SS-11/-19 complex, is of unknown significance but might possibly be related to SS-X-24 deployment. (S/WN) 44. If a rail-mobile variant of the SS-X-24 is to be deployed, it is not likely that it will take place before silo based deployment. Preparations for SS- X-24 silo launch flight testing began well before preparations for rail-mobile launch light testing. Flight testing of a rail-mobile mode variant is not expected to begin before mid-1984 at the earliest. (S/W N) - 10- Top Secret 25X1 25X1 RCA-09/0024/83 25X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Iq Next 2 Page(s) In Document Denied Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Top Secret 25X1 25X1 All relevant imagery acquired through) the information cutoff date, was used in the preparation 25X1 of this report. (S/WN) ACIC. US Air Target Charts; Series 200; Sheets 0102-09, 0102-10, 0154-23, 0167-07, 0234-22, and 0234-24; scale 1:200,000 (S) 1. Blind Reference 2. Blind Reference 3. Blind Reference 4. Blind Reference 5. CIA. SW SWDRC 83-6108K, CIA/OSWR 441686, Science and Weapons Daily Review Cable (U), 14 Jan 83 (TOP 6. CIA. (TOI SW SWDR 83-167K, CIA/OSWR 529665, Science and Weapons Daily Re *Extracted information isl **Extracted information is SECRET COMIREX J02 Project 543036) Distribution 86-004 Comments and queries regarding this re port are welcome. They may be directed tol (production), (test center), or deployment mode), Soviet Strategic Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,I for green extensions 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 - 14- Top Secret RCA-09/0024/83 25X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9 Top Secret Top Secret Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301540001-9