INTEGRATION PROCESS FOR NEW SOVIET SS-25 ICBM REGIMENTS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91T01115R000400650002-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 19
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 18, 2012
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: November 1, 1987
• Content Type: MISC

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Central Intelligence Agency
Washinglun. D C 20505
Directorate of Intelligence
November 1987
Integration Process for New Soviet SS-25 ICBM Regiments
Summary
Since early 1985, the Soviets have deployed a total of
10 regiments of their road-mobile SS-25 ICBMs among
three deployment complexes--Yoshkar-01a, Yur'va, and
Verkhnvava Sa1da. We have determined,
that the launch-critical units of an SS-25
regiment must undergo a complex integration process
before the regiment is fully capable of conducting
combat operations. The integration process includes
the delivery, inspection, and assembly of the
launchers, missiles, warheads, and launch support
elements that make up an SS-25 regiment. The
identification of the integration process enables us to
better determine the size of the SS-25 ICBM force, and
to a lessen- degree, its readiness. In the past, the
size of the SS-25 force was thought to be equivalent to
the number of bases that were comp.Zete and capable of
housing operational units. Today, through increased
Information available as of. 31 Augus>: .7987 was used in this
report.
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operational SS-25 launchers and the length of time
required for these launchers to be readied for combat
duty.
Analysis of the integration process for the first 10
SS-25 regiments indicates that integration times varied
greatly--from eight weeks to several months. The
evidence is tenuous, but it is possible that even after
their initial integration, SS-25 regiments may sti11
not be fu11y capable of conducting combat operations,
or operating at fu11 readiness and reliability Zevels.
Imagery shows that some SS-25 regiments returned to
their associated divisional support facilities for
additional processing shortly after their initial
integration process was completed. We are uncertain if
this activity is related to a fine-tuning of the system
to correct any problems that may have developed during
initial field deployment, or if this activity is
actually part of the integration process. If it is
part of the process, then the time necessary to
integrate an SS-25 regiment extends well beyond eight
weeks. We expect that as the Soviets gain familiarity
and proficiency with the SS-25 system, the length of
time required for integration may be reduced somewhat.
In the instances when elements of two or more regiments
were delivered to a deployment complex simultaneously,
the Soviets probably integrated at Least one battalion
in each regiment rather than fu11y integrating all
three battalions of any one regiment. This was
probably done to give each regiment at Zeast a minimum
launch capability should war break out during
integration. We are not certain, but it is possible
that some SS-25 regiments participated in field
training exercises ,before having all three battalions
fully operational.
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Introduction
The road-mobile SS-25 ICBM is a three-stage, solid-propellant
missile carrying one reentry vehicle (RV). The SS-25 missile and
RV are contained in a canister and mounted on a seven-axle
transporter-erector-launcher (TEL). In 1985, the SS-25 became
operational, and 72 launchers were deployed among eight bases in
the Yoshkar-Ola, Yur'ya, and Verkhnyaya Salda missile complexes
(figure 1). During 1986, the Soviets added two more bases at the
Verkhnyaya Salda complex. An SS-25 regiment is garrisoned in the
operations area of each base (figure 2). A regiment includes
three launch battalions and one battalion that provides
regimental command and control functions. Each of these launch
battalions contains three TELs and associated missile support
vehicles (MSVs). A regiment also inrl-~zdes field support units
that are normally housed in either the operations area or in an
adjacent regimental support area. Figure 3 shows the
organization of an SS-25 regiment.
Figure 1
Soviet SS-25 Mobile Missile Bases, August 1987
^ Operational SS-25 base
? Completed SS-25 base
^ SS-25 base under construction
r ~ 7eyNOVO (2) ~~~~ ~,~~~
Moscow c~ ~~ Yur'ya (5) ~~
^ ,/ n
k q' f
1( ~ Yoshkar-Ola "''~~ ~ ~~
~,.r ~ 1
%'~Verkhnyeya Seale (I) ~ k
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Figure 3
SS-25 Unit Organization
Regimental C'
Battalion
Security/
Reconnaissance
To become operational and launch-capable, the three launch
battalions of an SS-25 regiment undergo a complex integration
process at the division-level
Integration is the process whereby the various elements of an SS-
25 regiment are delivered to the deployment complex, inspected,
and assembled into an operational unit. We have not observed the
entire process for any single regiment,
e irs - regimen s o ecome operational. This paper
describes the integration process for new regiments, the
facilities located at the deployment complexes associated with
this process, and the time requi a process for
each of the first 10 regiments.
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Missile/Vehicle
Maintenance
Command, Control &
Communications
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Key Elements of an SS-25 Regiment
An SS-25 regiment is not delivered to a deployment complex ready
to conduct combat operations. Because of their diversity, the
elements comprising a regiment are developed or produced at
different national-level facilities across the Soviet Union.
The elements are then routed through a logistics network and
delivered separately by rail to the rail-to-road transfer point
(RTP) of a deployment complex (figure 4). Various logistic and
scheduling considerations require that regimental elements be
~3el;vPrPd to the RTP on a set schedule, usually in battalions.
The key elements of an SS-25 regiment are personnel; field
support units; command, control, and communications (C3) units;
TELs and MSVs; missiles and non-nuclear payload components; and
RVs.
Preparation and Delivery of the Key Elements of an SS-25 Regiment
Personnel
The combat Zaunch crews and support t:z?oops serving with SS-25
regiments have received extensive training by the time they reach
their regimental base. The combat cz-ews are trained at the
Plesetsk Missile Test Center while the support troops are trained
at Strategic Rocket Force (SRF) specialist schools and also at
Plesetsk. Combat crews train together as a regiment. Training
usually lasts six weeks and culminates in a missi_Ze Zaunch. Upon
completion of training, combat crews and suppoz-t troops either
report directly to their base for duty oz? to an _i.nterim Zocation
to atrait the completion of their base. Support tz~oops may arrive
months ahead of regimental combat launch crews. Some personnel
may report to an, SS-25 regiment fo_Z.lowinq reassignment from
another SRF unit.
Field_Support Units
The support units of a regiment inc_iude combat engineering,
security and reconnaissance, general t:r?ansport, driver training,
and topographic. and survey. Of these, only driver training units
contain equipment and vehicles that are rznique to the SRF. After
production, all vehicles are transfez~red to the SRF, routed
through a logistics network, and delivered to an RTP. Vehicles
and equipment rrray be temporarily stoz?ed at a missile support rear
depot (MSRD) during this process.
C3 Units
The C3 units discussed in this papez- are those associated with
the regimental command post (CP) and its three subordinate
battalion CPs. The regimental and the three subordinate
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battalions' CPs train with theiz? Launch elements at Plesetsk.
Because C3 is an integral part of a mobile missile unit, it is
likely that the CPs and launch elements of a regiment are routed
together through the logistics network. These CPs have several
MSVs--large four-axle MAZ vehicles containing power generators
and communications, electronics, and r_omputer equipment--and
standard van-bodied trucks containing radio stations. The
logistics network for C3 units is the same as fo.r TELs and MSVs.
TELs and_M5Vs
The TELs and MSVs for SS-25 Launch battalions a.re assembled at
the Volgograd Steel and Machine Plant and use large, modified
MAZ-543 chassis built at Minsk. Aftez? production is completed,
TELs and MSVs are transported via rail to Plesetsk for use in
combat cz?ew training or to an MSRD foz- intez-im storage. At
Plesetsk, regimental combat crews train with their TELs and MSVs
in battalion units. After training, f:he crews and equipment are
shipped to a deployment complex RT.P. TFI.,s and MSVs are shipped
in battalions to retain unit integrity. An SS-25, launch
battalion consists of three .TELs and at -least five MSVs.
Missiles and Non-nuclear Payload Components
SS-25 missiles and their associated non-nuclear payload
components are final assembled at Votkinsk and then shipped
either to Plesetsk for use in crew training or to Bobroyskiy MSRD
for temporary storage.
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Figure 5
SS-25 Integration Sequence
Delivery of
Field Support
Units
Delivery of
Personnel
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2 4 6 g
Week
a Delivery and inspection of TELs, MSVs, C', missiles,
payload-associated components and nuclear warheads
for regiment.
Integration Process for SS-25 Regiments
The integration process for an SS-25 regiment includes delivery,
inspection, and assembly (figure 5). Integration times varied
greatly among the first 10 regiments. However, it appears that
at least two or three weeks were required to complete integration
for each launch battalion, or about eight weeks for an entire
regiment. Most of the time and effort in the integration process
is devoted to the inspection and assembly of the regimental
Delivery The elements composing an SS-25 regiment generally are
delivered in the following sequence: personnel, field support
units, C3 units, TELs and MSVs, missiles and non-nuclear payload-
associated components, and RVs. This sequence will not vary
significantly because of logistic constraints. Some personnel
and field support unit probably arrive weeks or months ahead of
the launch equipment. The early arrival of these elements
reflects the Soviet desire to create a functioning infrastructure
before the missiles and launchers arrive.
Because they are potentially long-lead items, the time required
to deliver personnel and ,field support units is not included in
our eight-week estimate.
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After the personnel and field support units arrive, SS-25 launch-
related equipment--TELs, MSVs, and C3 units--is delivered to the
RTP in integral units (figure 6). The C3 units arrive first,
probably to establish a functioning network for control of the
nuclear assets. The Soviets have demonstrated that they can
offload nearly an entire regiment of launch equipment (about 30
vehicles) from rail flatcars in one or two days. TELs and MSVs
then go to their associated base to await the delivery of the
missiles. This practice results in launch-related equipment
sometimes being imaged at a base, well before a regiment is
launch capable. Normally, within days of TEL and MSV delivery, a
regiment's missiles and payload-associated crates are delivered
in battalion groupings to the RTP (figure 7). Missiles are then
transferred directly onto TELs while the payload component crates
are loaded d-associated
ters.
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Inspection of TELs and MSVs probably occurs shortly after their
delivery to the RTP. TELs and MSVs are inspected for any damage
sustained during shipment. Inspection probably occurs in the
clerestory building, driver training areas, and the regimental
base. TELs are probably checked for performance of erecting
mechanisms, leveling jacks, and general vehicle capabilities.
MSVs are probably also tested for basic vehicle performance, as
well as reliability of their electronics, computer, and
communications equipment. After inspection, TELs and MSVs
probably return to their base to await the arrival of missiles
and payload-associated crates.
Next, the payloads and missiles are inspected, and the payload is
assembled to the missile. Upon arrival, the payload-associated
crates are unloaded from their railcar and normally taken to the
NPHF for unpacking.2 At the same time, missiles are transferred
directly onto the TELs from their railcars, and the TELs are
However, in 1985, at Yur'ya and Verkhynyaya Salda, when the
Soviets were integrating more than one regiment at a time, these
crates were often taken to other nearby locations for interim
storage until needed. For example, numerous sets at Yur'ya were
stored at a deactivated SS-7 base.
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driven into the high one-bay and two-bay buildings where the
missiles' electrical and propulsion systems are inspected (figure
9). During this time, the non-nuclear payload-associated
components--probably including the guidance system and its
interfacing structures--are inspected and tested. These
components are then assembled to the missile and checked for
compatibility. Probably the guidance system's instruments are
calibrated, targeting information is in utted, and a simulated
flight profile is run. A dual-masted MSV for
each TEL being tested, is located outside of the high one-bay and
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two-bay buildings during this procedure (figure 10). The MSV
probably monitors missile and guidance diagnostics while
providing a C3 interface with the battalion CP, essentially
providing the same power, computer, and electronics support to
the TEL that it provides when the TEL is field deployed.
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The RV is the last major element assembled to the SS-25 s stem.
It is probably prepared (a 25X1
process that includes the installation of safe, arming, and
fuzing mechanisms) and then driven to and mated to the 25X1
missile's post-boost vehicle. After a final checkout, the launch
battalions of the integrated SS-25 regiment are driven back to
their base.3 Once all three battalions have been integrated and
returned to their base the Soviets probably check the C3 links
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The procedures described in this paper have been devoted
primarily to the mechanical aspects of integration. However, an
SS-25 regiment's capability to successfully fulfill its mission
extends beyond the inspection and assembly of components. As a
result, an SS-25 regiment is probably not fully operational until
the availability of three bays allows the Soviets to 25X1
integrate an entire launch battalion simultaneously. While one
battalion the regiment's other two battalions are 25X1
probably in other stages of the integration process. The
delivery elements in battalion units permits this
overlap. 25X1
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operational procedures. After a successful completion of
certification training, the regiment enters combat alert duty.
after the integration process is complete.
a regiment receives certification
by the SRF following delivery to a base. This is
usually accomplished through the regiment's first field
deployment, where the regiment is graded on its competence in
training
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Table
Deployment Milestones for the First 10 SS-25 Regiments
Base Complete
TEL, MSV,
Integration
Missile
Complete
Delivery
Yoshkar Ola
November 1984
January 1985
March 1985
April 1985
June 1985
Yur'ya 1
December 1984
May 1985
August 1985
June 1985
Yur'ya 3
September 1985
October 19
85
February 1986
November 1
985
Verkhnyaya
October 1985
November 1
985
December 1985
Salda 5
Verkhnyaya
November 1985
November 1
985
January 1986
Salda 2
December 1
985
Yur'ya 5
October 1985
November 1
985
January 1986
Yur'ya 2
October 1985
November 1
985
June 1986
December 1
985
Yur'ya 4
November 1985
November 1
985
May 1986
December 1
985
Verkhnyaya
October 1986
December 1
986
March 1987
Salda 1
January 19
87
Verkhnyaya
November 1986
June 1987
September 1987
Salda 3
July 1987
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