SUBMARINE LAUNCH PROCEDURES AT KOMSOMOLSK SHIPYARD AMUR 199

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00060R000300760001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 20, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 1, 1984
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
basic imagery interpretation report
Submarine Launch Procedures at
Komsomolsk Shipyard Amur 199 (S)
STRATEGIC WEAPONS INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES
Secret
Secret
Z-14085/84
RCA-09/0018/84
NOVEMBER 1984
Copy 4 2
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
SECRET
Submarine Launch Procedures at Komsomolsk Shipyard Amur 199
F,,TF( Y
SAC. USATC, Series 200, Sheet 0204-8, scale 1:200,000
1. This is the first in a series of reports which will summarize launch procedures at Soviet shipyards.
The report describes imagery-derived, step-by-step procedures from the first indication that a submarine
will he rolled out through the departure of the submarine from the shipyard and gives examples of the
launc h-related activities. This report is intended to provide the reader with a basic understanding of
launch procedures at Komsomolsk Shipyard Amur 199 and to provide definitions of
significant terminology related to submarine launch procedures. All applicable satellite imagery acquired
through was used in the preparation of this report. (S/WN)
2. A locator map, 10 annotated photographs depicting the procedures observed before and during
the launch and transfer of submarines, and a glossary of definitions of significant terminology related to
submarine launch procedures are included in this report. (S/WN)
INTRODUCTION
3. Komsomolsk Shipyard Amur 199 (Figure 1), approximately 350 nm south of the mouth of the
northward-flowing Amur River, is the principal submarine construction shipyard in the eastern USSR.
Kornsornolsk is currently engaged in the construction of Victor-III- and 199F-class nuclear-powered attack
submarines (SSNs) and Kilo-class attack submarines (SSs). Past construction at the shipyard has included
Whiskey-class SSs, Yankee-I- and Delta-I-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), Golf-
class ballistic missile submarines (SSBs), Echo-I- and Echo-11-class nuclear-powered cruise missile attack
submariines (SSGNs), Bravo-class training submarines (SSTs), and India-class auxiliary submarines (SSAs), as
well as various surface combatants, support barges, auxiliary repair docks, and drydocks. (S/WN)
BASIC DESCRIPTION
Overview
4. Two construction halls are at Komsomolsk
Shipyard-a two-bay hall and a four-bay hall. Both
are used in the construction of submarines. Build-
ing ways 1 and 2 are in the two-bay hall, and
building ways 3 through 6 are in the four-bay hall
(Figure 2). (S/WN)
5. Building ways 1 and 2 have most recently
been used in the construction of Kilo-class SSs.
Building ways 3, 4, and 5 have most recently been
used in the construction of Victor-III- and 199F-
class SSNs. Building ways 6 is not currently used for
submarine construction and is believed to be used
for fabrication and/or staging of submarine pres-
sure hull sections, which are later joined on ways
-1-
RCA-09;0018 84 SECRET
WNINTLL
Z-14085/84
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
bt Kt1
from the dock at the mouth of the Amur River and
transit under their own power to Petrovka Naval
Base and Shipyard for final fitting- 25X1
out and sea trials. The Amur River is subject to
heavy icing between early November and early
May and to severe flooding in the spring. The
heavy icing and flooding limit the delivery season
of submarines to a period between mid-May and
late October. (S/WN)
Roll-Out Procedures
.non Line
0 200
FIGURE 1. LOCATION OF KOMSOMOLSK SHIPYARD
AMUR 199, USSR
3, 4, and 5. Numerous heavy fabrication buildings
are located in the immediate vicinity and are
connected to the construction halls by a transver-
ser system (Figure 2), although little use of the
transverser system has been observed. (S/WN)
6. Submarines are rolled out of the construc-
tion halls into the YRD No 1-class auxiliary repair
dock (YRD), which is positioned in the launch
basin. The YRD, with the submarine in its well, is
removed from the launch basin and flooded. The
submarine is launched from the YRD and posi-
tioned at the fitting-out pier for a few days to a
few weeks for initial fitting-out. The submarine is
then placed back in the YRD for transfer to the
mouth of the Amur River en route to Petrovka for
final fitting-out. Submarines are usually removed
7. Usually, the first indication of launch
preparations is the alignment of the portable
launch support device (LSD)* with one of the
building ways (Figures 3 and 4), unless a launch is
planned from ways 1, which has a permanently
fixed launch support device (Figure 3). The se-
quence of activity likely to be observed before the
roll-out of the submarine is as follows:
? Stabilizing pads are placed on the transver-
ser (Figures 3 and 4). Until July 1984, only
one set of six stabilizing pads was in use at
the shipyard. The set of stabilizing pads
used during the roll-out of Victor-III SSN
unit 13 in June remained on the transver-
ser, and a new set of six stabilizing pads
was used in the roll-out of the 199F in July.
? The launch rail extensions are separated
(Figures 3 and 4).
? Sub-keel block foundations are positioned
in the well of the YRD at the fitting-out
pier, and the YRD is moved into the launch
basin (Figure 4) and aligned with the
building ways. The length of the sub-keel
block foundations may indicate the class of
submarine to be launched (Figure 5). The
sub-keel block foundation pattern used
during the launch of the 199F SSN was= 25X1
meters long, and the pattern used durin
the launch of Victor- III-class SSNs was 25X1
meters long. The sub-keel block pattern
used durin the launch of the Kilo SS was
long.
? The lowered stern gate of the YRD is
aligned with the launch rails (Figures 5 and
6).
? The construction hall door is opened, and
the bridging rails are positioned (Figure 6).
*The glossary of this report provides a description of significant terminology related to submarine launch procedures
and is intended to provide the reader with a consistent set of terminology. (U)
WNINTLL
SECRET Z-14085/84
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
SECRET
The entrances to the construction halls
may have canvas curtains lowered to give a
false impression of their being closed.
? The submarine is rolled out of the con-
struction hall and into the YRD. (S/WN)
Launch Procedures
8. After a submarine has been rolled out into
the YRD, the launch sequence is as follows:
? The water level of the basin is raised to
float the YRD off its supports.
? The YRD is positioned for exiting the basin.
? The water level in the basin is lowered to
the level outside the basin. The level of
water in the basin must approximate that
of the river when the gate is opened.
When the gate is open, 14 of the portable
caisson sections will be on the gateworks.
In the closed position, three to six of the
portable caisson sections will be on the
gateworks, depending on the required
water level in the basin. The careful analy-
sis of the movement of the caisson sections
can be used as an indication of launch
preparations and also as an indication that
the roll-out and launch of a submarine
have taken place.
? The portable caisson sections are removed
from the gateworks.
? The YRD is removed from the basin.
? The YRD is flooded near the fitting-out
pier, allowing the submarine to be
launched. (S/WN)
(Continued p. 7)
-3-
R CA-0910018184 SECRET
WNINTEL
Z-14085/84
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
Iq
Next 2 Page(s) In Document Denied
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
SECRET
9. After launch, Victor- III-class SSNs are posi-
tioned under the 105-meter panel tunnel (Figure
7), and 199F-class SSNs and Kilo-class SSs are
positioned alongside the fitting-out pier. Nuclear-
powered submarines are usually positioned on the
north side of the fitting-out pier outboard of the
975-class radiological repair barge (YRRN; Figure
7), probably for activity related to the testing or
startup of the reactor(s). Kilo SSs are usually
positioned on the south side of the fitting-out pier
for initial fitting-out before departing the shipyard.
A floating log boom (Figure 7) is placed around
the newly launched submarine to preclude dam-
age from logs which float from the nearby sawmill.
(S/W N)
10. After a submarine is removed from the
YRD, transfer dollies, used in the roll-out of the
submarine from the construction hall, may remain
WNINTLL
Z-14085/84
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
SECRET
down the centerline of the YRD. Transfer dollies
are distinguished from keel blocks by their
athwartships positioning and their raised ends,
which conform to the hull of the submarine. In
addition, transfer dollies are only positioned down
the centerline of the YRD. The pattern of transfer
dollies associated with the Victor- III-class SSN was
long (Figure 7), and the pattern
long (Figure 8). The pattern of transfer dollies
observed after the launch of the 199F was incom-
plete. (S/WN)
11. Keel blocks used in the transfer of the
submarine to the mouth of the Amur River are
positioned along the centerline and to the sides of
centerline of the YRD. The keel block pattern used 25X1
for the transfer of Victor-III -class SSNs is 25X11
-8-
SECRET
WNwrIL
Z-14085/84
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
SECRET
meters long and~wide (Figure 9), and
the pattern used for the transfer of Kilo-class SSs
(Figure 10) is long and
The keel block pattern for the 199F is
long and Fwide (Figure 11). (S WN)
12. The YRD used to launch and transfer
submarines at Komsomolsk is one of three con-
structed at Komsomolsk Shipyard in the late 1960s.
The other two, home-ported at Petropavlovsk
Kamchatskiy Sumbarine Base and Ship Repair Yard
and at Petrovka, are used in the
overhaul and repair of submarines. The Petrovka
dock is occasionally used to transfer submarines
from Komsomolsk to Petrovka. The YRDs are
meters long with a beam of
contain a well
(S/W N)
structed submarines, is observed at the Komso-
molsk shipyard. On at least two occasions, when a
submarine was in the very late stages of construc-
tion and not ready for transit to Petrovka under its
own power, the Petrovka YRD was brought to
Komsomolsk to launch the submarine and transfer
it all the way to Petrovka for fitting-out. This
activity, which occurred near the end of the
normal delivery season, cleared the building ways
for the start of construction of a new hull before
the next delivery season. (S/WN)
14. The YRD and launch support device are
usually placed in winter storage at the shipyard
between late October and early April. The YRD
may be stored at the fitting-out pier and the
launch support device is normally stored in the
center of the launch basin. Alternatively, the YRD
has been stored inside the launch basin with the
LSD stored in its well and at the fitting-out quay
with the LSD in its well. (S/WN)
13. Usually, only the Komsomolsk YRD, used
during the launching and transfer of newly con-
-9-
SECRET
(Continued p. 13)
WNINTEL
Z-14085/84
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
Iq
Next 2 Page(s) In Document Denied
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
JCI.RC 1
Significant Terminology Related to Submarine Launch Procedures
Bridging rails ................... The small section of the launch rail that bridges the gap
between the building ways inside the construction hall
and the launch rail when the building ways door is
opened (Figure 6).
Keel blocks ..................... Blocks placed along the centerline of the well and along
the sides of the YRD after the removal of the transfer
dollies and sub-keel block foundations (which are posi-
tioned only on the centerline of the YRD). The keel
blocks support the submarine during its transfer to the
mouth of the Amur River (Figures 9-11).
Launch ......................... The process of removing the submarine from the launch
dock and positioning it in the water. This activity should
not be confused with "roll-out," which is the process of
transferring the submarine from the construction hall to
the launch dock.
Launch rail extensions .......... The small section of the launch rail between the
transverser and construction hall that must be split
(moved to the sides) to accommodate the stern ramp of
the launch dock. The stern ramp of the launch dock
contains rails which bridge the gap between the launch
rails and the rails of the YRD (Figure 3).
Launch support device (LSD)... A large rectangular device which supports and stabilizes
the bow of the YRD during the roll-out of a submarine
from the building ways into the YRD (Figures 3 and 4). A
fixed launch support device has been constructed oppo-
site building ways 1, and a portable launch support
device supports launch activity at building ways 2-5.
Roll-out ........................ The transfer of a submarine by rail from the construction
hall to the well of the launch dock. This activity should
not be confused with "launching," which is the process
of removing the submarine from the launch dock and
positioning it in the water.
Stabilizing pads ................ A group of six rectangular pads positioned in two rows of
three each on the transverser (Figures 3 and 4). These
pads support the extreme stern portion of the launch
dock during the roll-out of a submarine from building
ways 3, 4, and 5. An arrangement of four pads in the
shape of a "T," with three pads nearest the edge of the
launch basin and one pad in the center of the second
row, is used in launching Kilo SSs from building ways 1
and 2.
RCA-0910018184 SECRET 1-14085/84
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
JEI.KE 1
Sub-keel block foundations .... The small, nearly flat, rectangular blocks placed along the
centerline of the launch dock and used to secure the
transfer dollies after the roll-out of a submarine from the
construction hall (Figure 5). The blocks are low enough
for the transfer dollies to pass over them and should not
be confused with the keel blocks that are placed in the
well of the dock and used during the transfer of the
submarine down the river.
Transfer dollies ................ Structural cross-members contoured to the hull of the
submarine with two sets of wheels (referred to as trucks).
Transfer dollies are used to roll a submarine from the
building ways into the launch dock (Figures 7 and 8).
YRD alignment platforms ...... Platforms located across the launch basin from the
launch rails and used for aligning the bow of the YRD
with the launch rails (Figures 2 and 3). These alignment
platforms also contain pumps for flooding and draining
the launch basin.
YRD stern support pedestals ... Pedestals attached to the transverser which are arranged
in pairs and support the stern portion of the launch dock
during the roll-out of a submarine (Figures 3 and 4). The
pedestals are permanently affixed to the construction
hall side of the basin. The launch support device which
supports the bow of the launch dock must be aligned
with these pedestals before the launch of a submarine.
All applicable satellite imagery acquired through
(S /W N )
MAPS OR CHARTS
SAC. USATC, Series 200, Sheet 0204-08, scale 1:200,000 (SECRET)
REQUIREMENT
COMIREX J09
Project 544070J
Comments and queries regarding this report are wel
Strategic Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC
vas used in the preparation of this report. 25X1
- 14 -
SECRET
Soviet 25X1
25X1
ll \/% III
L-14085 84
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8
Secret
Secret
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/20: CIA-RDP85T0006OR000300760001-8