PROBABLE R&D FACILITY FOR OVER-THE-HORIZON RADAR AND/OR IONOSPHERIC RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION, CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84T00171R000301010001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 30, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 1, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/30: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000301010001-7
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SC-628274/183
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Mcm wlta 1983
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Top Secret
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IV W
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PROBABLE R&D FACILITY FOR OVER-THE-HORIZON RADAR
AND/OR IONOSPHERIC RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION, CHINA (S)
INTRODUCTION
DISCUSSION
1. The Chinese are constructing two large, unique antennas that, upon completion, will probably
be used for an experimental/prototype over-the-horizon (OTH) radar and/or for ionospheric research
related to OTH radar development.' The antennas are approximately 240 nautical miles (nm) southwest of
Beijing, China-in the northern part of the Wuhan Military Region (MR), at Xinxiang Radio Communica-
tions Transmitter Station Southeast . One antenna is an arc-configured array, and the
other is a linear-configured array. The design, orientation, and projected coverage of the antennas would
provide the Chinese with the capability of tracking missiles from Shuangchengzi Missile Test Range
Complex SSM Wuzhai Missile Test Complex and Jingyu Missile Test
Complex SSM to their respective impact areas. In addition, the Chinese would be capable 25X1
of monitoring Soviet missile test centers at Tyuratam and Sary-Shagan (Figure 1). Included in this report
are one annotated photograph, one line drawing, one location map, and one table. The information
cutoff date is (S/WN)
2. Xinxiang Radio Communications (Radcom) Transmitter Station Southeast consists of a wall-se-
cured operations area containing the new antennas, a high-frequency (HF) antenna field, and a wall-
secured support area. Both antennas are oriented
figured antenna array, in the
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northern portion of the operations area, consists of eight
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distance of and eight antenna masts-with a chord distance of
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The shorter antenna masts are positioned
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incorporates five sets of arc-configured, probable antenna wire supports and physically matched feed-
lines which connect the antenna with a multistory transmitter/control building. (S/WN)
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FACILITY
0 500 1000
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NPIC T-7610
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TRANSMITTER/
CONTROL
BLDG
ABOVEGROUND
PHYSICALLY MATCHED
FEEDLINES
RECEIVER/
CONTROL BLDG
Height Pole Separation Chord Distance Distance Between
(Meters) (Meters) (Meters) Pole Rows
(Meters)
Table 1.
Antennas at Xinxiang
(Items keyed to Figures 2 and 3)
Arc-Configured Antenna Array
Prob Antenna Wire Supports A
Antenna Masts B
Prob Antenna Wire Supports C
Prob Antenna Wire Supports D
Prob Antenna Wire Supports E
Antenna Masts F
Prob Antenna Wire Supports G
Feedline System H
A-B
B-C
C-D
D-E
E-F
F-G
Linear-Configured Antenna Array
Items Height Pole Separation Chord Distance Distance Between
(Meters) (Meters) (Meters) Pole Rows
(Meters)
Antenna Masts I
Antenna Masts J
Single Rhombic Antennas
Array Major Minor
No Axis Axis
(Meters) (Meters)
I-J 25X1
Leg End Pole Side Pole Firing Tilt
Length Height Height Azimuth Angle
(Meters) (Meters) (Meters) (Degrees) (Degrees)
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Top Secret
IA R-0057/83
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3. The linear-configured antenna array, in the southern portion of the operations area, consists of
seventeen antenna masts-with a chord distance of and thirty-two
meter-high antenna masts-with a chord distance of The shorter masts are positioned
meters in front of the taller masts. The linear-configured antenna array contains a buried cable system,
rather than the heavy antenna feedline system associated with the arc-configured antenna array. This
buried cable system connects the smaller masts to a small tuning building in front of a receiver/control
building. The antennas and associated mensural data are presented in Figures 2 and 3 and Table 1.
(S/W N)
4. Supports for the aboveground, physically matched feedlines from the transmitter/control build-
ing to the arc-configured antenna array suggest a transmitting function for this antenna. Conversely, the
absence of any aboveground feedline supports for the linear-configured antenna array indicates a re-
ceiver function for this antenna. Usually, antennas operating with the power necessary for long-range
transmissions would not have the receiver adjacent to the transmitting antenna (bistatic array), unless
they were designed to operate with a pulse signal. The orientation of the antennas on a
azimuth and the heights and configuration of the antenna masts suggest that Xinxiang installation
a prototype used in the research and development of an OTH radar detection system. Based upon data
derived from 0TH models being tested in the United States, one skip or refraction off the ionosphere
would illuminate an area at a distance from 500 nm to 1,800 nm; a second skip would double this range.2,3
These distances would allow for monitoring of selected Soviet missile test centers. (S/WN)
5. Alternately, the new antennas may be used to conduct HF signal propagation research against the
ionosphere. This research would aid in the development of a more reliable, higher quality, and improved
means of communications.
6. Construction of the new antennas was first detected in August 1978. Prior to that time, Xinxiang
station consisted of a wall-secured, control/support area containing five buildings and the adjacent
antenna field containing three single antennas and one double rhombic antenna. In early August 1978,
the security wall for the operations area was constructed around an area containing one of the single
rhombic antennas and the double rhombic antenna. Construction was also underway on the multistory
transmitter/control building and on the single-story receiver/control building. By August 1979, these
structures had been externally completed. During this time, the single and double rhombic antennas, on
an azimuth of remained in place. However, by June 1980, they had been dismantled, and
excavations for the linear-configured antenna array had been observed. By August 1982, the 17-mast,
linear-configured antenna array and the eight-mast, arc-configured antenna array had been erected. The
antennas appeared to be nearly complete on However, the apparent absence of
insulators and active antenna wires indicated that the antennas may not have been operational. The
actual stringing of the antenna wires may have been postponed until the arrival/installation of signals-
processing equipment. (S/WN)
7. In addition to the abovementioned antennas, Xinxiang radcom station retains two single, bi-
directional, rhombic, HF communications antennas adjacent to the operations area (Figure 3). They are
oriented northward toward the western edge of Beijing and southward toward Wuhan
MR. (Possibly, they are also oriented toward the Xinhua SSM/Space Tracking Facility
however, no corresponding antennas have been identified at Xinhua.) Xinxiang station also contains a
support area with one multistory administration building, two barracks, one messhall, one probable
quarters building, one vehicle shed, and two support buildings. (S/WN)
IMAGERY ANALYST'S COMMENTS
8. The two antennas appeared not to be operational during the reporting period. The masts and
feedline supports lacked the distinguishing wires and insulators required for a thorough analysis of these
two antennas. However, based on antenna design and on the theory of antenna construction, Xinxiang
station may function as a prototype OTH bistatic radar. This station may also be involved in experimental
ionospheric testing for future communication systems. The orientation of the antennas and the location
of the station provide the capability for OTH radar research and development and data collection from
Soviet missile test centers. The Chinese are apparently attempting to enter the highly technical area of
ionospheric refraction used in an OTH radar system. An OTH system, if deployed, would greatly improve
China's long-range air surveillance/ballistic missile early warning capabilities. (S/WN)
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of this report. (S/WN)
IMAGERY
All applicable satellite imagery acquired from August 1973 through vas used in the preparation
MAPS AND CHARTS
DMAAC. USATC, Series 200, sheets EC0385-4HL/4th ed 76, scale 1:200,000 (UNCLASSIFIED)
DOCUMENTS
1. DIA. 141310Z, First Identification of a Probable Over the Horizon Radar (OHD) in China (5), Dec 82 (SE-
CR ET/TK/N OF ORN*)
2. MSN. "Antenna Tests Establish Ionospheric Limitations," Jun 82 (UNCLASSIFIED)
3. Aviation Week & Space Technology, "Backscatter Radar Unit Enters Production Phase, " Aug 82 (UNCLASSI-
FIED)
*Extracted information is
***Extracted information is
be directed to Defense Intelligence Agency
East Asian Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC
ns Intelligence Summary, 1 Feb 77
Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to
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