TYURATAM LAUNCH AREA D-2

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05439A000500320026-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 37
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 21, 2012
• Sequence Number: 26
• Content Type: IR

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000500320026-7
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Silo-Lid
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STAGE,I - CLEARING AND GRADING
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The first activity noted at a Type III-C?single silo site is usually,
although not always, the start of construction of buildings at the site
support facility (Figure 5).?* In addition, a certain amount of preparatory
work is sometimes done at the location of the launch site itself (Figure 6).
Normally,-a period of three to four. weeks is occupied in this fashion, before
the large open cut excavation is begun. However, the excavation is occasion=
ally begun first, especially at the later sites in a'complex'. Lacking recent
negation coverage then, the most accurate estimate of a starting date must
take into account the amount of construction activity already present.
STAGE II - OPEN CUT EXCAVATION
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Three to four weeks are required to make the excavation, typically a
large square about 120 feet on a side (Figure 7). Based upon height measure-
ments of the silo headworks (the 20 meter square structure with interior
compaxtmentation which surrounds the silo),.-it is believed that'the excavation
averages about 4O feet in depth. Most often two. earthen cuts about 15 to 20
feet wide serve for access into the excavation. Generally these give,a ?
characteristic U-shaped appearance, although V and .T-shapes have been observed.
The center portion of the "U" serves as support for a construction ramp during
later stages. Fencing is usually erected at this time, and the squares and
rectangles, if required to be mounded, are formed from spoil taken from the
excavation. The rectangles are invariably located on the-northwestern side of
the excavation and the squares on the southeastern side. The road serving the
silo, representing the loading axis,-.lways enters over the rectangle. This
loading axis appears to be consistent within each complex and is 45 degrees
counterclockwise from a firing azimuth toward the U.S. (Figure 23):
?* A detailed description of these buildings is beyond the scope of this report.
However'it should be kept in mind that-.construction of the-site support facility
continues as work on the silo itself progresses.
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Mounded Rectangle
STAGE-1 I - TWO MONTHS
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CIA IMAGERY ANALYSIS DIVISION
C PIR- 102
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A temporary flat cover obscures the coring during this operation and is
removed when the foundation slab is complete (Figures 12 and 13).
The silo coring is normally visible for an average of three months
(Figures 8-13). The exact method used to core the shaft
to a probable depth of about 100 feet is-unknown. The absence of pre-cast
concrete rings on site throughout this stage suggests that the outer wall
of the silo may be slip-formed,- It is estimated that the thickness of the
silo wall is approximately two and one-half feet.
After the coring is completed, a prefabricated,bevelled steel ring
made in three sections with and an outer
diameter of approximately 50 feet, is emplaced over the silo wall on the
floor of the excavation. Concrete is then poured,apparently_in two stages,
STAGE IV-A-- RAMPS/FORMS UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR'-SILO
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Two intermediate steps appear to exist between the time the coring is
obscured and the actual work on the headworks begins: These are however,
included as the earliest events of Stage IV-A. -The sequence shown in Figures
over the coring of a 30 diameter structure elevated some distance
above the base of the excavation and having a light-toned cover. --This may be
seen 'during the latter part of Stage III before the bevelled ring is covered
or d'iring what is being defined as.the earliest part of Stage IV-A. It
remains in place for a variable length of time, and is probably simply a
rovides access to the coring and shelter from the weather,
which
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cover
while necessary fixtures and utilities are being placed in tb% lower part of
the silo. Upon its removal, a low capping about is
observed over the coring (Figure 15). This is probably a safety cover. With
the start upward of the headworks, this portion of the structure becomes
obscured and it is not clearly observed again. In several instances however,
when the headworks are about one-third complete, the probable exhaust duct
area can be seen, and the.suggestion is given that the opening
persists upward to the base of the slab which forms the finished e eva. ion
(Figures 17 and 31).
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Gradually over a period of about six months the square, compartmented
structure rises to, or slightly above, surface level (Figures 16-21). An
access-ramp (or ramps), extending out over the headworks normally appears
about midway through this stage, although this has been observed to occur
in some instances before construction on the headworks has begun. At about
the same time, a pair of dark lines becomes visible on the adjacent rectangle
(Figure 17). This apparently represents initial construction of a long, .
narrow, elevated cradle, in most instances straight-sided but in one example
having sloping sides. On this is assembled a concrete silo liner 110 feet
long with an estimated diameter of l0 (Figure 18).
Generally, as the headworks near completion (although a great deal of
variation is noted) a small cruciform structure (Figures 20, 21 and 24+) is_.
emplaced next to the headworks a little below ground level and apparently
always on the side of the mounded square. This may be an emergency shelter
and/or entrance, inasmuch as the dimensions-do not allow the inptallation.
of any extensive equipment (see Figure 2? for this and other pertinent
mensuration data).
The headworks-are finally roofed, and the silo liner stands ready to be
put into position.
STAGE IV-B
CLEARING AND EXCAVATION FOR GUIDANCE AND CONTROL
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Six to eight months after construction has begun on the site selected as
control center, a large excavation to house the control bunker is made over a
period of about one and a half months (Figure 22).
Only one variation in the relationship on the control bunker and its assoc-
iated interferometer to the site itself has been seen at the deployed complexes.
Normally, the excavation has been placed 100 to 200 feet from the silo excavation
and beyond the square, in such .a manner that a. line passed through the rectangle,
silo, and square will intersect the vertex of the 'L' and form a 45 degree angle
with one leg (Figure 23). That this relationship is not a necessity however, is
illustrated by the exception found at the Uzhur ICBM Complex, where the inter-
ferometer is installed in difficult terrain.
Since the excavation for the control bunker commences well after the start
of the silo, the future presence of an interferometer at a particular site cannot
be predicted except upon the basis of extended fence lines. Thus, small excava-
tions near the silos have led the past to report that work on an 'L' might be. in
progress. Unless the criteria cited. above of`timing, location and distance are
met, caution should be exercised in making such ,an assessment.
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I, C. ICBM LAUNCH SITE`
Probable Prefabricated Steel
Reinforcing Bats In 3 Sections
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STAGE III - FOUR MONTHS
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TYPE III C ICBM LAUNCH SITE
Coring Obscured
By Flat Cover
STAGE III_ - FOUR AND ONE HALF MONTHS
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TYPE III C ICBM LAUNCH SITE
C oring
Ring Now
STAGE III - FI VE_MONTHS
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STAGE WA
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- LAUNCH-SITE- A
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CONSTRUCTION RAM
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J_.WALL THICKNESS
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Generalized Sketch (not to scale) Showing
Normal Relationship of Silo to Interferometer
INTERFEROMETER LEGS
1312' (400 -eters)
DIVIDED INTO SOrneter
SEGMENTS
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CIA IMAGERY ANALYSIS DIVISION
STAGE V - SILO COM3LETE TO SURFACE LEVEL
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Stage V, probably the most difficult to recognize on KH-k photography,
represents the interval, nominally.a month, between the time the silo is
outwardly complete to surface level'and backfilling begins (Figure 24).
When the-first sites started at a complex reach this stage, the beginning
of a well-engineered system of improved roads serving the sites becomes
apparent.
STAGE VI-A - BACKFILI, SILO
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At Tyuratam the only Type III-C silos which have, as of this writing,
been completely backfilled, the-process of back, filling has taken from three
and a half to four and a half months (Figure 25). Installation of equipment
within the headworks undoubtedly continues simultaneously, as does work on
the control bunker and interferometer at control sites. It is probably during
this period that the silo liner is installed. There have been no other major
changes detected during this stage and Stage VII, however, good quality coverage
of this stage is lacking, since none of the deployed sites have advanced to
this point.
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STAGE VI-B - CONTROL AND GUIDANCE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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50 meter intervals, a notch is made in each leg 25X1
After the initial excavation has been made, work proceeds on the compart-
mented.control bunker (Figures 26 and 27), which is oriented at a 45-degree
angle to the 'silo headworks. "Two '400-meter long ditches of undetermined cdepth
(but not as deep as the control bunker excavation) and estimated to be 4 to 6
feet wide are extended at r ed toward the U.S. At
probably to accommodate a support for the wave guide antenna. Two long, narrow
arched roof buildings are added outside the fence of control sites about midway
through this stage, and a large excavation somewhat shallower than that housing
the control bunker is made nearby at about the same time. The positioning of
this second excavation is not constant. It is approximately 100 feet square
with a small notch in one corner. `Its function has not been determined. A
junction box about 25 feet square is also. positioned in front of the control
bunker, about 30 feet distant. At one site, at least, it is on a slightly
-higher level than the base of the excavation for the control bunker. The
control bunker"is estimated to have walls the-same thickness as the silo head-
works. It is built to, or slightly above surface level, and is approximately
the same height as the headworks of. the silo. If the depth of the ditching.
for the interferometer legs`is as little as six feet, engineering opinion is
that the entire facility is equally as hard as the-silo.
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TYPE III C ICBM LAUNCH ' SITE
Headworks Completely Roofed .
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cIA PIR-61G II
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