TACTICAL MISSILE AND ARTILLERY COLLECTION: METEOROLOGICAL SUPPORT OF MISSILE UNITS AND THE ARTILLERY BY THE USE OF A SINGLE METEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 25, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: April 13, 1962
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
R
50X1 -HUM
Next 3 Page(s) In Document Denied
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
50X1-HUM
?
Meteorological Support of Missile Units
and the Artillery
by the Use of a Single Meteorological Bulletin
Meteorological support of missile units and the
artillery includes:
-providing missile and artillery subunits with
meteorological bulletins for calculating, during the
preparation of firing data, the influence of
meteorological factors on the flight of s missile
(projectile);
-providing combined-arms and artillery staffs with
data concerning the average wind for calculating its
influence on the spread of the radioactive cloud during
the delivery of nuclear strikes;
-notifying the subunits of dangerous weather
phenomena, influencing the use of nuclear/missile weapons.
is generally known, up to the present time the
artillery meteorological means, which are available in
an army in the meteorological battery of the separate
reconnaissance battalion, have been employed for providing
meteorological bulletins to subunits of tactical missiles,
tube, ground, and antiaircraft artillery, and sound-ranging
reconnaissance (meteorological-missile, meteorological-fire,
meteorological-antiaircraft, meteorological-sound-ranging)
(meteoreaktivnyy, meteoognevoy, meteozenitnyy, mete,zvuk).
Experience fromaspries of exercises indicates that
there are a number of shortcomings in such a use of
meteorological means in an army. First of all, it does
not provide for unified planning in the use of the army's
meteorological means in an operation, and consequently for
their most effective use for the purpose of continually
50X1-HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
50X1-HUM
providing meteorological data for missile troop and
artillery firing.
The use of special meteorological bulletins containing
the ballistic values of mete,:rological factors does not
permit an exchange of the results of atmospheric soundings
between either the army stations or the meteorological
stations of missile units of operational-tactical designa-
tion. As a result, the reliability of the meteorological
support of missile units and artillery is decreasing, despite
the considerable quantity of available meteorological
stations.
A meteorological battery is compelled to spend much
time (up to 1 to 1.5 hours) in compiling meteorological
bulletins of various designations and transmitting them,
which causes the results of atmospheric soundings to be
obsolete.
The mentioned deficiencies in the meteorological support
of missile units and artillery, as experience from the May
exercise indicates, can be eliminated by using a single
meteorolJgical bulletin "meteoyedinyy" in the army.
The single meteorological bulletin used during the
pxercise contained not the ballistic values of meteorological
factors but rather their average values in the layer from the
earth's surface to certain altitudes. The content of the
"meteoyedinyy" bulletin is: DOCtChMNo.---VVVV---BBBT'T'---
VtftVtVONArv---02---TTNNSS---04---TTNNSS , etc., at
au altituae of 800, 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400, 3000 meters,
4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 22, 26, and 30 kilometers,
where DD -- day (date)of the month;
ChChli -- hours and minutes (in tens) of the beginning
of atmospheric sounding;
No. -- the prearranged number of the meteorological
station;
VVVV -- the height of the location of the meteoro-
logical station above sea level in meters;
BBB -- the deviation of the atmospheric pressure at
50X1 -HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
ground level from the tabular pressure at
the station level in milimeters of mercury
standard (Rt. ST.);
T'T' the aeviation of the actual surface tempera-
ture of the air from the tabular temperature
in degrees;
VtVtVtVvVvVv the achieved altitude of sounding (tempera-
ture and finds);
02, 04, 08, 12, etc. standard altitudes;
TT the average deviation of the temperature
of the air from the tabular temperature in
the layer from the earth's surface up to
the standard altitude in degrees;
NN the grid azimuth of the direction of tha
ave-age wind (from which it blows) in
large azimuth scale units;
SS the ve1ocit7 of the average wind in the
layer of the atmosphere from the earth's
surface up to the standard altitude in
meters per second.
Calculation of the values of the meteorological factors
included in the meteorological bulletin is made simultaneously
with the atmospheric sounding. Therefore, it can be com-
pleted 7 to 10 minutes after the completion of the sounding.
Calculation of the ballistic values of the meteorological
factors is made in the subunits directly. In tube artillery
subunits, the computers determine the ballistic values of
the meteorological factors immediately during the preparation
of the initial firing data. For this purpose, they deter-
mine the preai-ranged height of the trajectory, from the nomo-
gram chart (sbornik nomogramm), according to this trajectory
they turn to the meteorological bulletin and calculate the
ballistic values of the meteorological factors from it.
In tactical missile subunits, this work can be carried
out both by the computers of the data preparation sections
and by the meteorological post personnel, if they are not
occupied with work in determining the ballistic wind on
the active (aktivnyy) sector of the trajectory.
In view of the fact that the calculation of the ballistic
values of the meteorological factors for tactical missiles
?
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
c-nci _HI Inn
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
requires some time (.! to 7 minutes on one point>, it is
advisable to make all the computations in advance, even
before the receipt of the fire mission, for several points
and directions and to construct a chart of calculated
cozrec:tions. For more rapid construction of the chart, the
the meteorological post personnel and computers can be
brought in. The meteorologists can, for example, compute the
ballistic values of the meteorological factors for certain
points, and the computers can prepare the initial data for
them. Special tables can be used to speed up the calcula-
tion of the ballistic values of meteorological factors.
Asthe exercises indic.ate, even under the conditions
of using a single meteorological bulletin in the army,
missile units of operational-tactical designation must
have their own organic meteorological stations and use the
"meteorological-missile" bulletin, which is compiled for
standard altitudes, for fire support. This is explained by
the fact that nuclear/missile weapons are decisive in a-
chieving success in an operation and therefore the constant
readiness of mis,ile units for delivering strikes, both
during the preparation for an operation and during the
course of it, must be ensuied.
The siting areas of missile units are selectee at a
considerable distance from the areas of tactical missiles
and tube artillery and therefore cannot always use the
meteorological data from the army meteorological stations.
Yurthermore, during the movement of missile battalions in
the course of an operation by bounds of 80 to 100 kilo-
meters and more, their use of a common meteorological bul-
letin is practically precluded. In addition, the propo-
sition that the deployment of missile units in the course
of an operation will often occur precipitately in areas
not provided for by the transfer plan, should also be
considered. However, this does not preclude the possi-
bility, in certain favorable instances, of carrying out
an exchange of the meteorological information which has
been received between the army meteorological station
and the meteorological stations of the missile units5oxi -HUM
operating in the zone of the army.
The staff of the missile troops and artillery of the
army plans the meteorological support of the missile units
And artillery with the use of the 'meteoyedinyy" bulletin.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
cnyi Inn
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
?
The following must be provided tor by the meteorological
support plan for the army meteoi-ological means:
-the disposition areas of the meteorological stations,
the period of time and the order of their transfer in
the course of an operation;
-the means of communication for the transmittal of
meteorological bulletins;
-the procedure for conveying the results of soundings
to the missile and artillery units and subunits;
-the procedure for controlling the receipt of meteor-
ological bulletins by the subunits;
-the procedure for using the results of the soundings
by the meteorological stations of the missile unita
of operational-tactical designation for the meteor-
ological support of the battalions of tactical
missiles and the artillery;
-the procedure for providing combined-arms and ar-
tillery staffs with data concerning the average
wind and weather forecasts.
In using the single bulletin, one of the versions of
'the employment of an army meteorological station in an
offensive operation of the army can be the following. Two
of the three army meteorological stations can be located
in the army zone at a distance of 10 to 15 kilometers from
the main line of resistance of its troops. The mission
of these stations is to provide "meteoyedinyy" bulletins
to the subunits of tactical missiles and the basic artil-
lery grouping. In this, the atmospheric sounding and the
distribution of the "meteoyedinyy" bulletin can be carried
out by the stations consecutively and also simultaneously
in order to ensure Mutual control over the computations
being made and to increase their accuracy by this means.
One of the meteorological stations can be located on
the flank for provid_ng meteorological data to the most
distant subunits. Atmospheric sounding and compiling the
meteorological station's meteorological bulletinapo -HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
50X1-HUM
?
carried out on a single chart worked out by the staff of
the missile troops and artillery of the army in accordance
with the specific conditions of the combat situation and the
weather.
Under stable weather conditions, a comprehensive (tem-
perature -.wind) sounding can be carried out for 4 hours
whilE the wind sounding can be carried out during the
intervals between the comprehensive soundings, i.e., 2
hours after the regular comprehensive sounding.
During the planning of the meteorological station's
work, it is necessary to take into consideration the
fact that the uninterrupted work of a radar set Rust not
exceed 6 to 8 hours, after which the operators must be
given a rest period and the set must be turned off for
5 air 6 hours.
For ensuring continuity in the meteorological support
of the missile units and artillery in the course of an
operation (battle), proper urganization of the transfer of
meteorological stations has great significance. A trans-
fer of the meteorological stations must be thoroughly planned,
taking into account the available means and the tasks being
performed by the troops. Two meteorological stations,
working on one axis, can be shifted in turt ir bounds of
25 to 30 kilometers. It is advisable to begin the transfer
of the meteorological station next in line after the
meteorological station being transferred is ready to work
in the new area.-'rhe transfer plan for the army meteoro-
logical stations must not fail to take into consideration
the transfer of the missile units of operational-tactical
designation so that when necessary the results of the
soundings by their meteorological stations can be used for
support of the firing of tactical missiles and artillery.
The positions of the meteorological stations during
transfers in the course of an operation should be planned
so that the results of soundings can be used by the greatest
number of subunits, i.e., if possible, in the center of
the main grouping of the missile units and artillery.
Each position of a meteorological station is given a
specific 'number which is placed in the bulletin format.
The subunit receiving the bulletin will in this case know
the area from which the atmospheric sounding was made and
consequently will be able to determine the possiblity of
50X1-HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
50X1-HUM
using the bulletin in the preparation of initial firing
data.
All of the necessary data concerning the work of the
meteorological stations: the positions, the numbers of
the meteorological stations and the procedure for their
transfer, the periods of time and the procedure for the
transmittal of the bulletins, are conveyed to the missile
and artillery units (subunits) by combat instructions.
In order to have continuous and reliable meteorological
support of the missile units and artillery in the course
of an operation, taking into account the transfer of
meteorological stations, their number in an army must be
increased. In particulzr, the advisability of having two
meteorological batteries, with two meteorological stations
in each, in an army was revealed in the course of the
exercises.
The results of the atmospheric sounding (the "meteo-
yedinyy" bulletin) by the army meteorological stations
must not only be received by the tactical missile and
artillery subunits but also by the operational-tactical
missile battalions.
This will permit control over the results of the
soundings themselves. In some cases (a radar set put out
of action,an unsuccessful sounding, etc.), the data in the
"meteoyedinyy" bulletin may be the only data available to
a missile battalioa's meteorological stations for calcu-
lating the ballistic values of meteorological factors and
compiling a bulletin for the standard altitudes.
The meteorological stations of missile battalions
must in their turn always be prepared to compile a 'imeteo-
yedinyy" bulletin on the basis of the results of their
own soundings and to distributl it on instructions from
the staff of the missile troops and artillery of the army
in order to support the tactical missile and artillery
subunits. 50X1-HUM
The brigade staff plans for the use of the missile
brigade's meteorological stations, taking into account
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
?
?
the instructions of the staff of the missile troops and
artillery of the army concerning meteorological support,
the nature of the operation, and the missions Of the
.Assile brigade. This question is examined in detail in
Information Collection of kissile Units andArtillery No. 51.
The most effective means of meteorological support for
the firing of all types of missiles and artillery is the
mobile artillery radio-technical meteorological station
(podvizhmaya artilleriyskaya radiotekhnicheskaya meteor-
ologicheskaya stantsiya PARMS). It permits accurate
meLsurement of the wind and temperature to be' made at an
altitude 2.5 to 3 times greater than does a mobile artillery
meteorological station (podvizhnaya artilleriyskaya meteor-
ologicheskaya stantsiya PARS).
Communications have exceptionally great significance in
the meteorological support of missile units and artillery,
especially when a single meteorological bulletin is used.
Experience from exercises indicates the necessity of organ-
izing a special meteorological communications network in
the army and missile brigade. There must be powerful radio
sets in the meteorological subunits (8-118 sets were used
in some exercises) for the transmission of bulletins and
R-311 receiv.ers must be used in missile and artillery units
(subunits) to receive them. A bulletin must be transmitted
several times. For example, in one of the exercises, a
bulletin was transmitted not less than three times by micro-
phone, and during the subsequent 15 minutes not less than
two times by key.
The staffs of the missile troops and artillery (staff
of a missile brigade) control the receipt of the bulletins
in the missile and artillery units (subunits). When a
meteorological subunit for some reason is not able to -
transmit a bulletin, it must be transmitted by the means
of the appropriate staff. It is advisable to assign one
of the officers and the appropriate means of communications
in the staffs of the missile troops and artillery (in the
missile brigade staff) for this purpose. The calculation
of the average wind (on the basis of the meteorological
bulletins being received) for use during an estimate of a
radiation situation can also be included in the tasks of
this office.
50X1-HUM
50X1 -HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
50X1-HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7
?
In connection with the fact that in the course of
an operation the use of a nuclear charge of any yield
is possible, the necessity arises to conduct in the staffs
a calculation of the values of the average wind for
a number of standard altitudes, corresponding to the most
typical yields of nuclear charges.
Moreover, considering the continual changes in data
concerning the wind, it is advisable to calculate its
values on a special chart with an interval of values for
every 100 kilometers.
Data concerning the wind for one's own disposition
is taken from the nmeteoyedinyy" bulletin; and for the
enemy's disposition, they can be obtained from the
meteorological service of the air army.
In order to acquire practical experience in the use
of the single metevrological bulletin and in working out
recommendations for the troops, it is advisable to continue
the study of this question during forthcoming troop exer-
cises.
50X1-HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/25: CIA-RDP10-00105R000403750001-7