SUBMARINE LAUNCH PROCEDURES AT LENINGRAD SHIPYARDS SUDOMEKH 196 AND ADMIRALTY 194

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00840R000201410001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 22
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 25, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: June 1, 1985
• Content Type: REPORT

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NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
basic imagery interpretation report
Submarine Launch Procedures at
Leningrad Shipyards Sudomekh 196
and Admiralty 194 (S)
Top Secret
Top Secret
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RCA-09/0005/85
JUNE 1985
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Submarine Launch Procedures at Leningrad Shipyards
Sudomekh 196 and Admiralty 194
GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES CATEGORY BE NO
59-55-43N 030-16-42E
59-55-03N 030-16-23E
[)MAAC. USATC, Series 200, Sheet 0153-04, scale 1:200,000
1. This is the second in a series of reports that summarize submarine launch procedures at Soviet
shipyards. These reports describe imagery-derived, step-by-step launch procedures, from the first indica-
tion that a submarine will be removed from a construction hall through the departure of the submarine
from the shipyard, and give examples of the launch-related activities. This report is intended to provide
the reader with a basic understanding of the launch procedures at Leningrad Shipyard Sudomekh 196 and
Leningrad Shipyard Admiralty 194. All applicable satellite imagery acquired through was used
in the preparation of this report. (TSR)
2. A location map, 15 annotated photographs depicting the procedures observed before and during
the launch and transfer of submarines, and a glossary of significant terminology related to submarine
launch procedures are included in this report. (S/WN)
3. The Leningrad Shipyards Sudomekh 196 and Admiralty 194 (Figures 1 and 2), located side-by-
side on the south bank of the Neva River in the west-central section of Leningrad, reportedly operate
under a combined administrative authority.' They are involved in the construction of nuclear- and diesel-
powered attack submarines, naval auxiliaries, and space-event support ships. (TSR)
4. Leningrad Shipyard Sudomekh 196 is currently engaged in the construction of an unknown class
of submarine. Past construction at the shipyard has included Alfa-class nuclear-powered attack subma-
rines (SSNs), Foxtrot-class attack submarines (SSs), the Uniform- and X-Ray-class nuclear-powered auxilia-
ry submarines (SSANs), and the Lima-class auxiliary submarine (SSA). The shipyard is also engaged in
research and development and in the construction of military and civilian submersibles and submarine
models. (TSR)
5. Leningrad Shipyard Admiralty 194 is currently engaged in the construction of Victor- III-class
SSNs, Marshal Nedelin-class space-event support ships (SESSs), a possible missile support ship (NPIC
interim designator 194E), and probably an unknown class of submarine. Past construction at the shipyard
has included Victor-I- and Victor-11-class SSNs, Ivan Susanin-class patrol gunboats, Ingul-class salvage and
rescue ships, Posyet-class fish factory ships, and panel tunnel concealment devices. (TSR)
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r SWEDEN
Sverdlovsk
FIGURE 1. LOCATION OF LENINGRAD SHIPYARDS SUDOMEKH 196 AND
ADMIRALTY 194, USSR
Leningrad Shipyard Sudomekh 196
6. One two-bay construction hall at Sudo-
mekh is used for the construction of nuclear-
powered submarines. This construction hall is an
integral part of the submarine assembly and hull
section fabrication complex, which consists of
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three buildings: the construction hall, the hull sec-
tion fabrication and subassembly hall, and the
transfer hall (Figure 3). The construction hall con-
tains two inclined building ways (inclined 15 to 20
degrees) enclosed by a caisson gate (Figures 3 and
4). The hull section fabrication and subassembly
hall is divided into plate rolling/fabrication and
subassembly areas. In addition to the construction
of submarine pressure hull sections, which are
transferred to the construction hall for the assem-
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bly of submarines, small submarines and submersi-
bles are constructed in this hall. Four doorway
openings, designated S3 through S6 (Figure 4),
provide access to the transverser for the rollout of
small submarines and submersibles directly from
the fabrication and subassembly hall. The transfer
hall serves as a paint shop and is the facility where
anechoic coating is applied.'
7. A number of machine shops and plate
cutting/shaping and component assembly build-
ings support the Sudomekh shipyard. To augment
the construction capacity of the yard, a medium
floating drydock (YFDM)*, which is referred to as
the "Admiralty FDD" (Figure 5), has been used as
an open building dock for construction of Foxtrot
SSs and the Lima SSA (Figure 5). (S/WN)
*Italicized terns are defined in the glossary at the end of this report. This glossary provides a description of significant
terminology related to submarine launch procedures and is intended to provide the reader with a consistent set of
terninology. (U)
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8. Submarines are moved from the construc-
tion hall by launching them directly into the water
from the inclined building ways-the usual proce-
(lure -or they are rolled out from the subassembly
hall into the Admiralty FDD and then launched-
the procedure used with the X-Ray SSAN. After
Iauncl1, the submarines are positioned at the quay
for initial fitting out. Nuclear-powered submarines
are then transferred to Severodvinsk Shipyard 402
on the White Sea (Figure 1), for
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final fitting out and sea trials. Diesel-powered sub-
marines are completely fitted out at the shipyard
and undergo sea trials in the Baltic Sea or are
transferred to the Black Sea for sea trials. (S/WN)
9. The only rollout of a submarine at the
Sudomekh shipyard occurred in October 1983,
when the X-Ray SSAN was rolled out of the hull
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section fabrication and subassembly hall. The Ad-
miralty FDD, with a new panel tunnel in its well,
was aligned with the subassembly hall (Figure 6).
The panel tunnel
lers between flotation supports) had been draped
with canvas on all four sides. Two floating cranes
(YDs), positioned on either side of the Admiralty
FDD, were probably used to lift the panel tunnel
into position and assist with the rollout. (S/WN)
10. After the X-Ray SSAN was rolled out, the
panel tunnel (with the submarine underneath), was
launched into the channel and moored between a
975-class radiological repair barge (YRRN) and a
radiological support barge (RSB) for initial fitting
out (Figure 7). (S/WN)
11. Some or all of the following sequence of
activity may be observed before the launch of a
submarine:
? The appearance/disappearance of launch
devices (Figure 8);
? Movement of the floating security screens
and panel tunnels used to conceal the sub-
marine during fitting out, and movement of
the auxiliary vessels used during fitting out
and for concealment of the submarine (Fig-
ure 9);
? Installation of the bridging rails (Figure 4);
? Removal of the caisson gate; and
? Opening of the doors of the construction
hall. (TSR)
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12. Although the actual launch of a subma-
rine has not been observed, it is believed that
anchors and/or drag chains are attached to the
submarine to maintain control of it and prevent it
from running aground as it moves, stern first, down
the launch rail. (S/WN)
Fitting-Out Procedures
13. Once launched, the submarine is posi-
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tioned at the quay for fitting out. Various auxiliary
ships (used to support fitting out), floating security
screens, and panel tunnels are used to conceal the
submarine during the fitting-out process. Auxiliary
ships that have been used during the fitting-out
process include auxiliary repair docks (YRDs), a
Zeya YRRN, a 975-class YRRN, and RSBs (Figure 9).
After initial fitting out, nuclear-powered subma-
rines are placed in a YRD and transported via the
inland waterway system to Severodvinsk Shipyard
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for final fitting out and sea trials. Diesel-powered
submarines (Foxtrot SSs and the Lima SSA) and
submersibles are completely fitted out at the quay
and undergo sea trials in the Baltic Sea (in the case
of Foxtrot SSs and some submersibles) or the Black
Sea (in the case of the Lima SSA and some submer-
sibles). (S/WN)
14. Preparation of the YRD for transfer of the
submarine, because of the concealment of the
submarine during launch and fitting out, may be
the first indication of a submarine's overall length
and function. The Uniform SSAN was transported
to Severodvinsk in the Alfa SSN-associated YRD
(Figure 10), which had previously been used for the
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transfer of four Alfa SSNs to Severodvinsk. Keel
bloc ks, in a distinctive four-row, "low-block" pat-
tern at the stern, were positioned along and to the
sides of the centerline of the YRD (Figure 10). The
keel-block pattern was
meters wide. The X-Ray SSAN was transported to
Severodvirisk in the Spoonbill YRD. The keel-block
pattern along the centerline of the YRD was ap-
proximatelylong and wide
(I igure 11). Both submarines were completely con-
cealed before and during transit. The Alfa and
Spoonbill YRDs have been used in a "mothership"
role since the deployment of the Uniform and X-
Ray SSANs to the Northern Fleet; their future use
at Leningrad is unknown. (S/WN)
15. Diesel submarines (Foxtrot SSs and the
I ima SSA) constructed in the Admiralty FDD (Fig-
ure 5) were removed from the Admiralty FDD and
moored at the quay for fitting out, where auxilia-
ries and/or security screens were used for conceal-
ment. Foxtrot SSs were then transferred to an op-
erational base under their own power for sea trials
and crew training. The Lima SSA, after fitting out
had been completed, was loaded into the Rectan- 25X1
gular House YRD and transferred to Sevastapol
Naval Base in the Black Sea, for 25X1
sea trials. (S/WN)
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Leningrad Shipyard Admiralty 194
16. Submarine construction facilities at Ad-
miralty (Figure 2), on the south shore of the Fon-
tanka Canal, consist of a construction hall, a fabri-
cation/subassembly hall, and a transverser system
(Figure 12). The construction hall contains six mul-
tistory bays and an administration/engineering
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wing on each end. The original construction hall
contained bays 3, 4, and 5; bays 1, 2, and 6 were
added between late 1962 and July 1966 to support
the Victor-class SSN construction program. Sub-
marines are constructed on five building ways:
building ways 1 and 2 in bay 2, building ways 3 and
4 in bay 3, and building way 5 in bay 4. Bays 1, 5,
and 6 are used as subassembly areas. (S/WN)
17. Before 1975, pressure hull and outer hull
sections were fabricated at the numerous fabrica-
tion/subassembly halls and shops on the north
shore of the Fontanka Canal, where surface ships
are also built on the two open building ways. Hull
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components were staged, transported by floating
crane to the hall, and loaded into the subassembly
areas. Although some components, including most
of the outer hull sections, are still moved into the
hall this way, the five-story fabrication/subassem-
bly hall and transverser system completed in 1975
(Figure 12) facilitates the flow of components, in-
cluding most of the pressure hull sections, directly
into the construction hall. (S/WN)
18. Submarines are rolled out of building
ways 1 through 5 under the panel tunnels in the
Admiralty FDD (Figure 13). The Admiralty FDD
(with the submarine in its well) is moved into the
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Neva River, where the submarine and panel tunnel
are launched and positioned at the quay for initial
fitting out. After initial fitting out is completed, the
submarine is transported via the inland waterway
to Severodvinsk for final fitting out and sea trials.
(TSR)
19. Some or all of the following sequence of
activity may be observed before the rollout of a
submarine:
? Movement of the Admiralty FDD (routinely
moored at Sudomekh) to Admiralty;
? Placement of the launch rail platforms (Fig-
ure 14) in the well of the Admiralty FDD;
? Placement of the panel tunnel support ped-
estals (Figures 8 [inset] and 15) in the well of
the Admiralty FDD;
? Placement of the panel tunnels on the sup-
port pedestals (Figures 8 [inset] and 15);
? Movement of the Admiralty FDD into align-
ment with one of the building ways (Figure
13); and
? Draping the panel tunnels with a canvas
and/or net covering. The submarine, on
transfer dollies, is then winched out of the
construction hall and into the Admiralty
FDD. (TSR)
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20. The launch rail platform components
have been seen stored opposite the construction
hall, on the north bank of the Fontanka Canal, and
on the quay at Sudomekh. The panel tunnel sup-
port pedestals have been stored opposite the con-
struction hall, on the north bank of the canal, and
in the open area next to the administration/engin-
eering wing on the northeast corner of the con-
struction hall. The platforms and pedestals have
also been left in the well of the Admiralty FDD for
significant periods. Two panel tunnels, one
meters and one long and both
meters between the flotation supports, and eight
pedestals were used during rollout and fitting out
of the Victor-III SSNs. The launch rail platform,
four pedestals, and one of the new panel tunnels,
long and wide (between
the flotation supports), were used during rollout
and fitting out of the X-Ray SSAN. (SAWN)
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21. After a submarine is rolled out into the
Admiralty FDD, the FDD is maneuvered into the
Neva River, and the submarine is launched. The
submarine is immediately placed between the 925-
and 975-class YRRNs for fitting out (Figure 16).
Attache reporting indicated that the launch se-
quence of a Victor-II SSN (from rolling the subma-
rine into the Admiralty FDD to positioning the
Victor-II and panel tunnel between the YRRNs)
took approximately 13 hours.3 The Admiralty
FDD, after the submarine has been launched, may
be seen moved back to the construction hall and
aligned with the building ways for the return of the
Fitting-Out Procedures
22. The fitting-out procedures at Admiralty
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are similar to those at Sudomekh. Once launched,
the submarine is positioned at the quay for fitting
out. Various auxiliary ships (used to support fitting
out), floating security screens, and panel tunnels
are used to conceal the submarine during the fit-
ting-out process. Auxiliary ships that have been
used during the fitting-out process include the
975- and 925-class YRRNs. After initial fitting out,
the submarines are placed in a YRD and transport-
ed via the inland waterway system to Severodvinsk
for final fitting out and sea trials. (S/WN)
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23. As at Sudomekh, because of conceal-
ment activity during submarine launch and fitting
out, preparation of the YRD for the transfer of the
submarine may be the first indication of a subma-
rine's overall length and function. The Victor SSNs
were transported to Severodvinsk in the Blunt Bow
YRD. Keel blocks were positioned along and to the
sides of centerline of the YRD (Figures 10 and 16)
in a pattern that was approximately
long and wide. The submarines were 25X1
completely concealed before and during transit.
(SAWN)
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Significant Terminology Related to Submarine Launch Procedures at
Leningrad Shipyards Sudomekh 196 and Admiralty 194
Admiralty FDD The medium floating drydock (YFDM), constructed on the open building ways at Admiral-
ty, which is currently used for launching submarines at Sudomekh and Admiralty (Figure 5).
bridging rails A small section of the launch rail used to bridge the gap between the building ways inside
the construction hall and the caisson gate (Figure 4).
fitting out The period following the launch of a unit when the major construction process is
completed. The submarine is made habitable and is prepared for the operational testing of all
functional components.
launch The process of moving the submarine into the water, either from a floating drydock or
directly from a fabrication or construction hall. This activity should not be confused with rollout,
which is the transfer of a submarine from the construction hall.
launch devices Devices placed under the bow of the submarine to prevent excessive torque and
stress from being applied to the hull during launch (Figure 8).
launch rail platforms Structures in the well of the Admiralty FDD that form a rail on which a sub-
marine on transfer dollies can be rolled out of the construction hall (Figures 14 and 15).
medium floating drydock (YFDM) A YFDM is any floating, open-ended drydock with a lift
capacity between 5,000 and 20,000 metric tons. Two YFDMs are used at these shipyards.
The most recently built YFDM has been designated the Admiralty FDD by the Intelligence
Community (Figure 5).
panel tunnel A concealment device used during rollout, launch, and fitting out of subma-
rines at both shipyards (Figures 6 and 13).
panel tunnel support pedestals Structures positioned in the well of the Admiralty FDD to
support a panel tunnel (Figure 15) at a height sufficient for the submarine to be rolled
out beneath it.
roll out The transfer of a submarine by rail from the construction hall to the well of the Admiralty FDD.
This activity should not be confused with launch, which is the process of moving a submarine from the
launch dock or construction hall into the water.
sea trials The checkout period conducted at sea when all systems and subsystems are exercised to their
design limits. For intelligence reporting purposes, sea trials are considered to have commenced when
the unit has departed the complex where fitting out occurred.
transfer dollies Structural crossmembers, 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
Admiralty FDD.
This glossary is classified TOP SECRET RUFF.
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IMAGERY
All applicable satellite imagery acquired through was used in the preparation of this report. (TSR) 25X1
SMALL-FORMAT IMAGERY
Figure No Source
Accession No Dat
e
Classification
5 (inset) DIA
6 901 0
717 78/C/GDS84 21
Aug
78
CONFIDENTIAL
7 (inset) DIA
6901 07
79 82 16
Jul 82
CONFIDENTIAL
8 (inset)
19-
20 M
ar 84
CONFIDENTIAL
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15 (inset) DIA
6901 04
80 84 9 Ju
l 84
CONFIDENTIAL
MAPS OR CHARTS
DMAAC. USATC, Series 200, Sheet FP0153-04R, 6th ed, Jan 84, scale 1:200,000 (SECRET 25X1
DOCUMENTS
1. NISC.I IRNG-23/0003/77, Submarine Components, Leningrad Shipyard Admiralty 194, Len-
Dot). IIR 5 300 0125 81, Titanium Submarine Construction at the Leningrad Sudomekh Shipyard, additional
inlormation (U), 18 Aug 81 (CONFIDENTIA
USDAO/Mos(ow. (U) "Victor Launch" in Leningrad, 111318Z Sep 79 (SECRET
NPIC. 1-1408584, RCA-09/0018/84, Submarine Launch Procedures at Komsomolsk Shipyard Amur 199 (S), Nov
84 (SFCRET
C OMIREX J09
Project 545025J
ups regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to
Soviet Air, Navy, Nuclear Division; Imagery Exploitation Group,
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