SUBMARINE LAUNCH PROCEDURES AT SEVERODVINSK SHIPYARD 402

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00840R000301930001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 20
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 20, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 1, 1985
• Content Type: REPORT

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.PHA iH IC CENT
basic imagery interpretation report
Submarine Launch Procedures at
Severodvinsk Shipyard 402 (S)
STRATEGIC WEAPONS INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES
Top Secret
Top Secret
RCA-09/0008/85
September 1985
Copy 47
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h Procedures at Severodvinsk Shipyard 402 JUR
MAP REFERENCE
SAC USATC, Series 200, Sheet 0092-22, scale 1:200,000
Ton SPrrPt RU JIFF
1. This is the third in a series of reports that summarize launch procedures at Soviet shipyards. This
report is intended to give the reader a basic understanding of launch procedures at Severodvinsk Shipyard
402. The report describes step-by-step launch procedures, from the first indication that a submarine will
be rolled out through the departure of the submarine from the shi ard, and gives examples of launch-re-
lated activities. All applicable imagery acquired through was used in the preparation of this 25X1
report. (S/WN)
2. This report contains a location map, a plan view of Severodvinsk Shipyard 402, drawings
depicting the flotation device supports and flotation devices used during the launching of submarines
from construction hall 1, 12 annotated photographs depicting the procedures observed before and during
the launch of submarines, and a glossary of significant terminology related to submarine launch proce-
dures. (S/WN)
3. Severodvinsk Shipyard 402 (Figures 1 and 2), on the White Sea and approximately 19 nm west of
Arkhangelsk, is the principal submarine construction shipyard in the USSR. Construction at the shipyard
has included Hotel-I; Yankee-I; Delta-I, -II, -III, and -IV; and Typhoon classes of nuclear-powered ballistic
missile submarines (SSBNs); Golf-I-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBs); Oscar, Papa, and Echo-11
classes of nuclear-powered cruise missile attack submarines (SSGNs); and Alfa, Mike, and November
classes of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). The shipyard has also been engaged in the
conversion program under which the Yankee-class SSUN (a nuclear-powered submarine whose principal
military capability is unknown) was reconfigured into the Yankee SSGN. Other conversion programs have
included the conversion of the Hotel-I SSBNs to Hotel-II SSBNs and Golf-I SSBs to Golf-11 and Golf-V
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ITSA GUBA
S MARINE
SE SW
Arkhangersk
RO V NSK
FIGURE 1. LOCATION OF THE SEVERODVINSK
SHIPYARD COMPLEX, USSR
4. Severodvinsk Shipyard 402 is one of the
four major facilities at the Severodvinsk Shipyard
Complex. Other facilities at the complex include
Severodvinsk Shipyard Yagry island
involved in the overhaul, conversion, and
refueling of nuclear-powered submarines; Sever-
odvinsk Nuclear Submarine Special Support Facili-
ty engaged in the defueling, de-
contamination, and refueling of nuclear-powered
submarines; and Severodvinsk Naval Base West (BE
the base for ships supporting the sea
trials* of newly constructed/overhauled subma-
rines. Severodvinsk Naval Base West contains the
only operational missile-loading facility for loading
the SS-N-20 submarine-launched ballistic missile
(SLBM) aboard the Typhoon SSBN. A similar mis-
sile-loading facility is under construction at Litsa
Guba Submarine Base Southwest
Figure 1). (S/WN)
5. Severodvinsk Shipyard 402 contains three
construction halls (Figure 2) used in the construc-
tion of submarines. Construction hall 1 is a four-
bay hall containing four building ways, designated
A through D (inset, Figure 2). Two building posi-
tions, in tandem, on each of the four building
ways, provides a total of eight building positions.
Construction hall 2 is a two-bay hall with two
building ways (not designated). The submarine
production in construction hall 2 has not been
sufficient to determine the number of building po-
sitions on each of the building ways. Construction
hall 3 is a three-bay hall containing three building
ways, designated 1 through 3 (inset, Figure 2). The
building positions in this hall are also in tandem,
providing at least six building positions. Subma-
rines are launched throughout the year from all
three construction halls. (S/WN)
6. Building ways A and B in construction hall
1 have most recently been used in the conversion
of a Y SSUN to the Y SSGN; for refurbishment of
the Leningrad Submersible; and for construction of
the Stern Horn transporter dock, rectangular sup-
port barges, and the Typhoon/Oscar launch dock.
Building ways C and D have most recently been
used in the construction of Delta-IV SSBNs. Con-
struction hall 2 has most recently been used in the
construction of Mike SSNs. Although it has been
two years since the first Mike SSN was rolled out
and launched, it is likely that a second Mike SSN is
under construction. Building ways 1 of construc-
tion hall 3 has only been used in the construction
of Oscar SSGNs, and building ways 2 and 3 have
only been used in the construction of Typhoon
SSBNs. Numerous heavy fabrication buildings are
nearby and are connected with the construction
halls by rail lines. All three construction halls are
served by a transverser system and rail line. (S/WN)
*Italicized terms are defined in the glossary at the end of this report. The glossary provides a definition of sig-
nificant terminology related to submarine launch procedures and is intended to provide the reader with a
consistent set of terminology. (U)
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7. Roll-out and launch procedures are differ-
ent at each of the three construction halls; howev-
er, fitting-out procedures are similar for all. Sub-
marines constructed in hall 1 are rolled out of the
construction hall onto launch rails in the launch
basin (Figures 2 and 3). The basin is then complete-
ly flooded, and the submarine is launched and
positioned outside the basin for fitting out. (S/WN)
8. Submarines constructed in hall 2 are
rolled out of the construction hall onto a side
launch ways (Figure 4), launched into the adjacent
basin, and then positioned at a fitting-out quay.
(S/WN)
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9. Construction hall 3 is the only hall at the
facility in which a launch dock is used (Figure 3).
The submarine is rolled out of the construction
hall into the launch dock. The launch dock, with
the submarine in its well, is then removed from the
launch basin. The submarine is then launched from
the launch dock and positioned at a fitting-out
quay. (S/WN)
10. After launching, submarines from con-
struction halls 1 and 2 and the Oscar SSGNs from
construction hall 3 are positioned at the main fit-
ting-out quay (Figure 2) for initial fitting out. Ty-
phoon SSBNs from construction hall 3 are posi-
tioned at the Typhoon fitting-out quay (Figure 2),
adjacent to construction hall 3. After initial fitting
out, submarines constructed at all three construc-
tion halls undergo deperming at the calibration
facility prior to departing the shipyard complex on
their initial sea trials. (S/WN)
Construction Hall 1
11. At construction hall 1, usually the first
indication that the rollout of a submarine will oc-
cur is the positioning of the flotation device sup-
ports (FDSs) alongside the launch rails (Figure 5).
The number of the flotation device supports and
the pattern in which they are arranged have been
different for each class of submarine constructed
(Figure 6). This difference is because of the greater
lifting capacity required for longer and heavier
submarines. The number and pattern of flotation
device supports are usually key indicators of the
class of submarine to be launched (Table 1). Addi-
tional indicators of a rollout include:
? The removal of snow from the launch rails
during the winter months (Figure 5);
? The removal of the missile bay covers from
their usual storage location alongside con-
struction hall 1 (Figure 7). These covers are
placed over the missile bay of the subma-
rine inside the construction hall and remain
in place during rollout, launch (Figures 8
and 9), and final fitting out; and
? The playing out of cables from the winch
houses (Figure 3) opposite construction hall
1. These cables are used to pull the subma-
rine, on transfer dollies, out of the con-
struction hall. (S/WN)
13. After the submarine has been rolled out,
the launch procedures are as follows:
? The launch basin is partially flooded to al-
low a floating crane to position the flota-
tion devices (Figure 9) on the flotation de-
vice supports. Each flotation device rests on
two flotation device supports;
The flotation devices are secured to the
submarine;
? The launch basin is completely flooded, al-
lowing the submarine, partially supported
by the flotation devices, to float off the
transfer dollies;
The submarine is maneuvered to the deep-
water area of the launch basin and posi-
tioned for exiting the basin;
The water level in the launch basin is low-
ered and the caisson gate is removed; and
? The submarine, with or without the flota-
tion devices attached, exits the basin and is
positioned at the quay for fitting out. (Flo-
tation devices have been removed from the
submarine both before and after the sub-
marine has been removed from the basin.)
(S/WN)
Fitting-Out Procedures
14. After launch, the submarines are posi-
tioned outboard a rectangular support barge at the
main fitting-out quay. The sail and missile bay por-
tions of the SSBNs are usually concealed by tem-
porary covers that are removed shortly before the
SSBNs undergo deperming at the calibration facili-
ty and depart the shipyard on their initial sea trials
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top secret Kurr
Table 1.
Flotation Devices and Flotation Device Supports for Classes of SSBNs
Constructed in Construction Hall 1 at Severodvinsk Shipyard 402, USSR
SSBN
Class
Construction
Period
No of
FDSs Used
No of Flotation
Devices Used
Equivalent to
Late 1966-
24
4 large and
8 large flotation devices
Aug 1972
8 small
Jan 1972-
28
4 large and
9 large flotation devices
Aug 1974
10 small
D-II
Late 1974-
32
4 large and
10 large flotation devices
Jul 1975
12 small
D-III
Late 1975-
32
6 large and
11 large flotation devices
units 1-10
D-III
Apr 1979
Late 1979-
24
10 small
10 large a
nd
11 large flotation devices
units 11-14
late 1981
2 small
D-IV
Feb 1984-
28
10 large and
12 large flotation
units 1 and 2
present
4 small (prob)
devices (prob)
SECRET/WNINTEL
14 FDSs 16 FDSs
I-CLASS AND DELTA-SERIES SSBNs CONSTRUCTED IN CONSTRUCTION HALL 1
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in the White Sea. After initial sea trials, submarines ? The positioning of flotation device supports
are returned to the shipyard for inspection and any on the upper and lower arms of the cradles
necessary maintenance/adjustments prior to being upon which the flotation devices will rest
transferred to their Northern Fleet operational (Figure 10); and
base. (S/WN)
The positioning of flotation devices on the
flotation device supports only on the upper
arms of the cradles (Figure 10). (S/WN)
Construction Hall 2
16. The submarine is rolled out of the con-
struction hall and positioned between the arms of
Roll-Out Procedures the launch cradles (Figures 4 and 11). As at con-
struction hall 1, if the key indicators of rollout are
15. At construction hall 2, the first indication not observed, the presence of transfer dollies and
of submarine rollout is the spreading of the upper flotation device supports on the side launch ways
and lower arms of the launch cradles (Figure 10). indicates that rollout and launch have occurred.
Additional indicators of a rollout include: (S/WN)
D-III SSBN
Units 11-14
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D-IV SSBN
Units 1-2
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17. After the submarine has been rolled out,
the launch procedures are as follows:
The submarine is raised off the transfer dol-
lies and the cradle arms are closed under
the bottom of the submarine;
The flotation devices are positioned on the
flotation device supports on the lower arms
of the cradles and secured to the hull of the
submarine (Figures 4 and 11); and
The basin is cleared of ice and the subma-
rine is launched down the side launch ways
in a near horizontal position, the cradle
arms supporting the submarine keep it in a
horizontal position, and the submarine is
removed from the basin and positioned at
the quay for final fitting out. (S/WN)
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Fitting-Out Procedures
18. After launch, submarines constructed in
construction hall 2 are positioned at the main fit-
ting-out quay next to the construction hall. A rec-
tangular support barge associated only with sub-
marines constructed in hall 2 is used to support
fitting out. After fitting out, the submarine under-
goes deperming at the calibration facility, initial
sea trials in the White Sea, post-sea-trials inspec-
tion/maintenance and adjustments, and is then
deployed to its Northern Fleet operational base.
(S/WN)
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Construction Hall 3
19. At construction hall 3, the first indication
that a rollout of a submarine will occur is the
removal of any keel blocks or other objects from
the well of the launch dock. The bilge dollies (Fig-
ure 12), which are used during the launch of an
Oscar SSGN, are retracted to the side walls of the
launch dock. Additional indicators of a rollout
include:
? The positioning of the launch dock support
cradles in the cradle trough (Figure 13).
These cradles are used to align the launch
dock with the building ways on which a
submarine will be rolled out. For example,
if a Typhoon SSBN rollout is to take place,
the launch dock will be moved from its
normal stowed position in front of building
ways 1 to building ways 2 or 3. If an Oscar
SSGN rollout is to take place, the launch
dock will not be moved;
The alignment of the launch dock with the
building ways on which a rollout will occur;
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The positioning of bridging rails over the
cradle trough to connect the building ways
with the launch dock for rollout (Figure 13);
The attachment of cables from the side
winch houses to the launch dock (Figure 3).
These cables are used to move the launch
dock into the middle of the basin;
The opening of the door to the construc-
tion hall;
The placement of bridging rails over the
door opening;
The installation of portable caisson sections
in the far end of the launch dock (Figure
13); and
The spreading apart of the arched roof
panels of the covered launch dock (Figure
14). (S/WN)
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20. After the submarine has been rolled out
and placed in the well of the covered launch dock,
the launch sequence is as follows:
The launch dock with the submarine in its
well is raised off the launch cradles and
pulled by cables to the center of the basin,
where it is aligned to exit the basin (Figure
3);
? Once out of the basin, the launch dock is
maneuvered alongside the breasting plat-
forms (Figure 14) where the dock is flood-
ed, allowing the submarine to float off the
transfer dollies and exit the launch dock;
and
? The submarine is then positioned at the
fitting-out quay. (S/WN)
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Fitting-Out Procedures
22. After launch, Oscar SSGNs constructed
in hall 3 are positioned at the main fitting-out quay
for final fitting out. Typhoon SSBNs constructed in
hall 3 are positioned at the Typhoon fitting-out
quay for final fitting out. The Typhoon SSBNs are
positioned outboard a rectangular support barge
that was probably constructed specifically for the
support of Typhoon fitting out. In addition to the
rectangular support barge, a 975-class radiological
repair barge (YRRN) was used to support the fitting
out, reactor testing, and start-up during the fitting
out of Typhoon units 1 and 2. During the fitting out
of Typhoon units 3 and 4, a newly built quay-side
reactor purge/test facility, performing the function
of the YRRN, was used. The completion of three
reactor purge/test facilities along the Typhoon fit-
ting-out quay has increased the number of nucle-
ar-powered submarines that can be fitted out at
this quay at one time. After fitting out, Typhoon
SSBNs undergo deperming at the calibration facili-
ty shortly before initial sea trials. After sea trials
and a period of inspection, maintenance, and ad-
justments, the Typhoon SSBNs are transferred to
Litsa Guba Submarine Base Southwest (Figure 1) in
the Northern Fleet for additional sea trials and
crew training for a period of approximately six
months. The submarines are then returned to Se-
verodvinsk for additional inspection, maintenance,
adjustments, and loading of missiles at the SS-N-20
missile-loading facility at Severodvinsk Naval Base
West prior to becoming fully operational and
based at Litsa Guba. (S/WN)
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Significant Terminology Related to Submarine Launch Procedures
at Severodvinsk Shipyard 402
bilge dollies Large keel-block-like structures used to support the outer area of the submarine hull during
rollout and launch for Typhoon SSBNs and during launch only for Oscar SSGNs. They are used in
addition to the transfer dollies, which function as the main support for the submarine during construc-
tion and rollout (Figure 12).
breasting platform A fixed structure just outside the launch basin that is used to moor the launch dock
during a launch (Figure 14).
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 open; it also bridges the gap
over the cradle trough (Figure 13).
fitting out The period following the launch of a unit when the major production process is completed.
The submarine is made habitable and is prepared for the operational testing of all functional
components.
flotation device supports Saw-horse-shaped structures that function as platforms to support the flotation
devices (Figures 5 and 6).
flotation devices Hollow metal boxes used to add extra buoyancy to the submarine when it is launched
from the shallow portion of the launch basin (Figures 3, 4, and 9). Two sizes of flotation devices are used
at Severodvinsk. The large flotation devices are approximately 10 by 6 by 7 meters. The small devices are
approximately 10 by 3 by 7 meters. The arrangement of the large and small flotation devices used during
the launches of various classes of submarines is shown in Figure 6.
keel blocks At Severodvinsk, these large blocks are used to support the submarine during out-of-water
periodic maintenance or overhaul. These blocks are used both in the launch dock, which supports
construction hall 3, and on the basin ledge in front of construction hall 1. Keel blocks should not be con-
fused with transfer dollies, which are used only during rollout. When rollout from construction hall 3 is
imminent, the covered launch dock must be clear of all keel blocks and other items.
launch The process of moving the submarine into the water, either by lifting it off the transfer dollies at
construction hall 1, sliding it into the water down the side launch ways at construction hall 2, or by float-
ing it out of the launch dock after rollout from construction hall 3. This activity should not be confused
with rollout, which is the process of transferring the submarine from the construction hall to either the
shallow ledge of the basin, as at construction hall 1 (Figure 9); between the arms of the launch cradles, as
at construction hall 2 (Figure 11); or into the launch dock, as at construction hall 3 (Figure 14).
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launch cradles These devices support the submarine during side launch from construction hall 2. Th
wedge-shaped arms of the cradles are positioned under the hull of the submarine and keep it horizonti
during the side launching (Figure 10).
launch dock support cradles The four cradles positioned in a trough in front of construction hall 3; th
cradles are used to align the launch dock with the building ways of construction hall 3 (Figure 13
rollout The transfer of a submarine by rail from the construction hall. This process should not b
confused with launching, which is the process of moving the submarine into the water.
sea trials The checkout period conducted at sea when all systems and subsystems of the submarine ar
exercised to their design limits. For intelligence reporting purposes, sea trials are considered to hav
commenced when the unit has first departed the complex where fitting out occurred.
transfer dollies Structural crossmembers, contoured to the hull of the submarine, with two sets of whee
(referred to as trucks). Transfer dollies are used to roll a submarine from the building ways to either th
launch rail or the launch dock (Figures 12 and 13).
This glossary is classified SECRET/WNINTEL.
IMAGERY
All applicable satellite imagery acquired through was used in the preparation of this report. (S/\N
MAPS OR CHARTS
SAC. USATC, Series 200, Sheet 0092-22, scale 1:200,000 (U)
REQUIREMENT
COMIREX J09
Project 545024J
NPIC. Z-12112/83, IAR-0077/83. Modified Flotation Device Support Pattern at Severodvinsk Shipyard 402, US
(S), Nov 83 (SECRET
NPIC.I RCA-09/0005/85, Submarine Launch Procedures at Leningrad Shipyards Sudomekh 7
and Admiralty 194 (S), Jun 85 (TOP SECRET
Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed t Soviet i
Navy, Nuclear Division; Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC;
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