RAMENSKOYE FLIGHT TEST CENTER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84T00171R000300480001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 19, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: October 1, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000300480001-7
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77-12102-/A3
E CA-09/0019/83
?CCU?STIR 1983
copy 31'
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NOFORN
Ramenskoye Fligh
CATEGORY 1BE NO. 1COMIREX NO.
DMAAC. USATC, Series 200, Sheet 0167-5, scale 1:200,000
ABSTRACT
2. This report includes 21 annotated photographs (including an overview of the FTC with functional
areas delineated), a location map, and a table of mensural data. (S/WN)
also included. (S/WN)
1. This report updates NPIC report Z-14620/82 on Ramenskoye Flight Test Center (FTC), USSR, and
discusses construction, aircraft activity, and new/modified aircraft systems observed from the 25X1
information cutoff date for the previous report) through Related activity at other facilities is 25X1
BASIC DESCRIPTION
chronologically in Figures 3, 4, and 5 and Table 1. (S WN)
3. Ramenskoye FTC is approximately 20 nautical miles southeast of Moscow (Figures 1 and 2). A
summary of construction observed subsequent to the last reporting period, is presented 25X1
Construction
seven support buildings (Figure 3; items 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 10) were all under construction. An adminis-
4. Four buildings were completed at the FTC during this period. An administration/engineering
building (Figure 3; item 4) in the support area was complete by late July 1982. Two support buildings
(Figure 4; items 11 and 12) were complete by February 1983 and an administration/engineering building
(Figure 4; item 15) was complete by May 1983. (S/WN)
5. Construction, reported in the previous reporting period,' was still continuing. As of 25X1
MOSKOW/BYKOVO
OVO
\ 1/
AIRFIELD
B FLT TEST
\CEER
ZHUKOVSKIY
t Test Center I UR
RAMUENSKOYE
FLIGHT `i EST
CENTER
RAMENSKOYE
WNINTEL
Z-12102/83
FIGURE 1. LOCATION OF RAMENSKOYE FLIGHT TEST CENTER, USSR
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18. BLACKJACK A. The horizontal stabilizer of the BLACKJACK A was modified during the period
(Figure 11), probably during the summer of 1982, when a CHARGER was normal[ in the BLACKJACK
hangar. The stabilizer span was reduced to from the previous land the tip chord 25X1
was increased from his modified stabilizer was probably on the BLACKJACK by 25X1
(S WN) 25X1
19. Observations of the BLACKJACK A have been infrequet and there is no evidence that two
models of the BLACKJACK exist. (S/WN)
20. A probable computer van truck (Figure 11) was observed or next to the hardstand where 25X1
the BLACKJACK A is parked when not in a hangar. This van truck may be involved in ground testing the
BLACKJACK A. (S/WN)
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Bomber Activity
21. BEAR H. During the reporting period, BEAR H (the latest model BEAR), currently in production
at Taganrog Airframe Plant Dimitrov 86 had been deployed to an operational unit at
Dolon Airfield Also during the period, considerable activity involving BEAR H aircraft
took place at the FTC. While only one BEAR H had been observed at the FTC during the previous
reporting period, two were present in November 1982, three in.March 1983, and possibly a fourth was
present by April 1983. (S/WN)
22. At the FTC on an unidentified objet was next to a BEAR H (Figure 12). Although canvas
covered and probably on a dolly, this object was approximately long with a ~diame-
ter, which may have been exaggerated by the canvas covering. (S/WN)
23. On an unidentified object was under the starboard wing of a BEAR H, between
the fuselage and No. 3 engine (Figure 13). The object extended forward and aft of the wing and had an
overall length of although the aft end was wider than at the forward end. On 0 a
similar object was again in the same position on a BEAR H (Figures 14a and 14b). The length, however,
was and the front end appeared to be wider than that of the object seen on
(S/WN)
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24. The BEAR H has been associated with the testing of the AS-X-15 air-launched cruise missile
(ALCM). Although the AS-X-15 has not been observed at the FTC, the length of the unidenti-
fied object on approximates the estimated size of the new ALCM. If the object seen on is
the AS-X-15 ALCM, then the object seen on was probably an ALCM mounted in the rear
position of a pylon. The observation was probably two ALCMs mounted on a single pylon, which
would account for the increased overall length and the wider appearance of the front end. On the other
hand, it is possible that the object on the BEAR H was a single missile, 12 to 13 meters long, but there is
no evidence that a weapon of that size is being developed. (S/WN)
25. Analysis of Ramenskoye, Taganrog, Akhtubinsk FTC Kuybyshev Airframe Plant
Lenin 18 F __1 and Dolon Airfield indicates that as of May 1983 as many as nine BEAR H have
been produced. (S/WN)
26. BACKFIRE. BACKFIRE activity was normal during the reporting period, except on
a BACKFIRE C had an unidentified object under the starboard wing. This object, approximately
in diameter, extended forward of the wing but did not appear to extend aft of the wing trailing
edge. The KITCHEN and the airframe, which have previously been seen on BACKFIRE, extend
forward and aft of the wing. (S/WN)
Fighter Activity
27. FLANKER A and FLANKER A MOD. FLANKER A activity, observed only occasionally, was normal
during this period. Considerable activity involving the FLANKER A MOD, however, was observed at the
FTC and Komsomolsk Airframe Plant Ordzhonikidze 126 (S/WN)
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28. The first fully assembled FLANKER A MOD seen at the FTC was on the crossover link on L
Figure 15). An assembled FLANKER A MOD has not been seen here since. Other major
activity involving FLANKER A MOD occurred in late March 1983, when five fuselages were in the Sukhoy
area. Four of these had probably been delivered from Komsomolsk, where palletized MOD fuselages had
been seen in early March. (S/WN)
29. The presence of the palletized FLANKER A MOD at Komsomolsk and the subsequent high
number at the FTC may indicate that the FLANKER A MOD aircraft is in preseries production. It is
unusual, however, for preseries production aircraft to be delivered to Ramenskoye instead of being flight
tested at the-production facility. Only one assembled FLANKER A MOD has been observed at Komso-
molsk, an indication that predelivery flight testing of FLANKER A MOD aircraft may not be performed at
the plant. The palletized aircraft may be flown to Ramenskoye because the Komsomolsk Plant may not
be fully equipped to perform flight tests. (S/WN)
30. The FLANKER A MOD weapons test program has been active at Akhtubinsk since at least early
September 1982. It is unusual that the Soviets would begin weapons testing there before determining the
aerodynamic effects of the modifications at Ramenskoye. But, in an effort to accelerate the program to
operational deployment status, the FLANKER A MOD aircraft may be tested concurrently at the two FTCs.
The Soviets may have enough confidence in the aerodynamic worthiness of the modifications to permit
dual testing. (S/WN)
31. FULCRUM A. During this period, FULCRUM A aircraft were occasionally observed at the FTC,
mainly in shelters in the East parking area. The focus of this test program, however, has apparently shifted
from Ramenskoye to Lukhovitsy Airframe Plant where six preproduction models were
observed on and to Akhtubinsk, where nine were seen on (S/WN)
Transport Activity
the FTC on
A Modified CANDID,I I(Figure 16), was seen for the first time at
The aircraft, parked in the Old Ilyushin area, has wing tip pods and enlarged
main gear housings. Two other CANDID,
has wing tip pods, and CANDID
left Ramenskoye by
have similar features. CANDID=
has enlarged gear housings, as well as other modifications.
and was seen in late March at Novosibirsk Airfield Northeast
which serves Novosibirsk Scientific Institute of Aviation SIBNIA CANDID
at Novosibirsk until late May, when it was returned to Ramenskoye. The reason for the
presence of the CANDID at SIBNIA is unknown. (S/WN)
33. The function of the Modified CANDID is not known, but the wing tip pods on CANDID=
skoye
o refueling and ECM pods on some western aircraft. Another CANDID at Ramen-
is thought to be the CANDID tanker testbed. (S/WN)
34. CANDID During the reporting period, CANDID== the testbed aircraft for the new
large turbofan engine, underwent some modification. Its engine had been removed by and
by the CANDID had probably been moved into one of the hangars in the old Ilyushin
area. On CANDID =was on the transient parking apron with the new engine reinstalled.
No modifications to the engine nacelle were observed. The CANDID, however, appeared to be equipped
with an air scoop, possibly for cooling test equipment on each side of the upper fuselage just behind the
wings. (S/WN)
35. Modified CARELESS. Two modified CARELESS were identified during this period. One, normally
parked in either the Old Ilyushin area or the East Parking area, had a pointed nose extension, a rail
antenna mounted atop the fuselage, and possibly a modifiation to the horizontal stabilizer (Figure 17).
The function of the pointed nose extension is not known, but nose probes of this configuration are often
found on prototype aircraft or aircraft involved in specialized test programs. The aircraft has been
regularly seen at the FTC since (S/WN)
36. Another CARELESS, which has been in the Tupolev/East Parking areas, has new nacelles, appar-
ently modified for new engines (Figure 18). The nacelles are slightly longer than normal NK-8-2 engine
nacelles and do not have the thrust reversal grilles (appearing as black patches) found on standard
CARELESS.2 (S/WN)
37. The new nacelles are similar to the CLASSIC nacelles for the D-30KU engine. The CLASSIC
originally had the NK-8-4 engine and nacelles similar to standard CARELESS. The CLASSIC nacelles,
however, were changed to accommodate the new engines. This activity probably represents an attempt
to equip the CARELESS with more fuel efficient engines, possibly uprated D-30s. It is unlikely that
operational CARELESS will receive new engines, but newer models may have this new engine in the
future.2 (S/WN)
38. Modified CLOBBER, CRUSTY, and COOT. A CLOBBER, modified with a conical nose extension
(Figure 19), was first observed on and has been present on most subsequent coverage. In
addition, a CRUSTY, modified with -a small conical nose extension, has been in the Old Ilyushin area since
This was the second CRUSTY with this modification to be seen at the FTC. The first, which was
identified in August 1982, was also present. (S/WN)
39. The purpose of these nose modifications is unknown. A COOT with a similar
conical nose extension (Figure 20), was also parked in the same general area and may be associated with
missile testing. (S/WN)
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(S/WN)
40. Another CRUSTY, modified with a BACKFIRE-like nose (Figure 17), has been presen
This type of modified CRUSTY, which is being produced at Kharkov Airframe Plant 135
is believed to be involved in air crew training and may be at the FTC for system evaluation.
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Rotary Wing Activity
41. Modified Probable HIP H, Modified HIP C, and HELIX. A modified probable HIP H (Figure 21)
was in the Mil area on The modification consists of a possible boom or tube extending 25X1
forward from the upper part of the nose. In addition, black patches, possibly dielectric material, were on
the tail boom. Canvas covering on the nose prevented a detailed analysis, and little activity has been seen
around this helicopter. (S/WN)
42. Since a HIP C with booms on each side of the fuselage has been in the Mil 25X1
area (Figure 22). The booms are similar to spray booms, are approximately and are 25X1
approximatelyF____]aft of the nose. Little activity has been seen around this HIP. (S/WN) 25X1
43. A HELIX, seen for the first time at the FTC on I was on the infield area near the 25X1
intersection of the two runways. No particular activity has been associated with this HELIX. (S/WN)
Miscellaneous Activity
44. By two 3-meter dishes were installed in the telemetry processing area, be- 25X1
tween the Yakovlev and Old Ilyushin areas. (S/WN)
45. By five rows of resolution targets had been placed in the Test and Derelict area. 25X1
Various geometric designs were represented including bars, crosses, and circles. A gray scale was also
present. (S/WN)
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RCA-09/0018/83
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All available satellite imagery acquired from
report. (S/WN)
MAP OR CHART
DMAAC. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet 0167-5, Scale 1:200,000
DOCUMENTS
1. NPIC. Z-14620/82. RCA-09/0026/82. Ramenskoye Flight Test Center
2. Jane's All The World's Aircraft, 1981-82 (U)
REQUIREMENT
COMIREX J02
Project 543068J
Comments and queries regarding this report are w
forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC, on
was used in the preparation of this 25X1
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Z-12102/83 SECRET
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