ORDNANCE R&D FACILITY STARA ZARGORA, BULGARIA (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84T00491R000101850001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 29, 2011
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 16, 1984
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/29: CIA-RDP84T00491 R000101850001-2
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NPIC IEG WPFD WGFB
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NOFORN
CONTROL NO. Z-17267/84
COPY.. ..___O
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Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions
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(Security Classification)
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/29: CIA-RDP84T00491 R000101850001-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/29: CIA-RDP84T00491 R000101850001-2
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(c) NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
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Attachment to Z 17 2 6 7/ 8 4
NPIC/IEG (3/84)
16 MARCH 1984
ORDNANCE R&D FACILITY
STARA ZAGORA, BULGARIA (SWN)
1. SIGNIFICANCE: AN ORDNANCE R&D FACILITY WAS IDENTIFIED IN
BULGARIA FOR THE FIRST TIME AT STARA ZAGORA. THIS FACILITY
WILL ALLOW THE BULGARIANS TO DO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
TESTING OF NEW, INDIGENOUS DESIGNED TOWED AND SELF-PROPELLED
ARTILLERY AS WELL AS OTHER BALLISTIC TESTING. (SWN)
2. REMARKS: STARA ZAGORA ORDNANCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FACILITY
WAS IN THE MID-STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION ON
(GRAPHIC 1). THE FACILITY IS APPROXIMATELY 4.5 NM NORTHWEST OF
STARA ZAGORA. IT CONSISTS OF FIVE SEPARATE AREAS; AN ARTILLERY
RANGEHEAD, A BALLISTIC TEST STATION, AN AMMUNITION
STORAGE/LOADING AREA, AND A SUPPORT AREA. A GRIDDED IMPACT
AREA IS OUTSIDE THE FENCELINE 4.5 NM SOUTHWEST OF THE ARTILLERY
RANGEHEAD (NOT ON GRAPHICS). (SWN)
THE BALLISTIC TEST STATION (SEE INSET, GRAPHIC 1) IS LOCATED IN
THE SOUTHWESTERN SECTION OF THE FACILITY AND HAS TWO FIRING
POSITIONS SEPARATED BY ONE REVETTED, FREE STANDING BLAST WALL.
GRAPHIC 2 DEPICTS THE OTHER MAJOR FEATURES. THE RANGEHEAD
CONTAINS SIX FIRING POSITIONS SEPARATED BY FIVE REVETTED,
FREE-STANDING BLAST WALLS. AN AMMUNITION STORAGE/LOADING AREA
CONTAINS FIVE REVETTED STORAGE BUILDINGS AND TWO AMMUNITION
LOADING BUILDINGS. THE SUPPORT AREA CONTAINS A BALLISTIC
ANALYSIS BUILDING SIMILAR TO THOSE SEEN IN THE SOVIET UNION
(SEE INSET, GRAPHIC 2), ONE HIGH-BAY MAINTENANCE BUILDING AND
SEVERAL SUPPORT BUILDINGS. (SWN)
ANALYST'S COMMENTS -- THIS FACILITY IS COMPARABLE IN SIZE, BUT
PROBABLY WITHOUT THE SOPHISTICATION, OF SOME MAJOR SOVIET
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT RANGES SUCH AS KRASNOARMEYSK ORDNANCE
These notes have been prepared for briefing purposes only and should not be used for detailed analytical work.
Their use should be restricted to the particular briefing board(s) they were prepared for and must be considered
valid only for the reporting period as indicated by the date of issue.
WARNING NOTICE
INTELLIGENCE SOURCES
OR METHODS INVOLVED
SECRET
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/29: CIA-RDP84T00491 R000101850001-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/29: CIA-RDP84T00491 R000101850001-2
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(c) NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
Attachment to Z -17 2 6 7/ 8 4
NPIC/IEG (3/84)
16 MARCH 1984
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTI I, UNDER LICENSE FROM
THE USSR, BULGARIA CURRENTLY PRODUCES THE 122MM SELF-PROPELLED
HOWITZER M-1974 AT CHERVEN BRYAG ARMORED VEHICLE ENGINEERING
PLANT RUPTSI APPROXIMATELY 100 NM NORTHWEST OF
STARA ZAGORA. THE CHERVEN BRYAG PLANT HAS VERY LIMITED
ARTILLERY TEST FACILITIES. (SWN)
COORDINATES 42-29-55N 025-35-30E (S)
These notes have been prepared for briefing purposes only and should not be used for detailed analytical work.
Their use should be restricted to the particular briefing board(s) they were prepared for and must be considered
valid only for the reporting period as indicated by the date of issue.
WARNING NOTICE
INTELLIGENCE SOURCES
OR METHODS INVOLVED
SECRET
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/11/29: CIA-RDP84T00491 R000101850001-2