/specialCollection/MissileGap/1961/1961-04-25.pdf

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VII. NAVA'. LAUNCHED MISSILE SYSTEMS
134.There is little evidence of Soviet research
and development on secific missile systems
for naval application.
However, over the past few years we have Ire)
ceived considerable information, some of it
provided by defectors, on the operational de-
ployment of naval-launched missiles in both
the surface and the submarine fleets.
135.There is good evidence that the USSR
is building destroyers equipped to launch sur-
face-to-surface cruise type missiles. The So-
viets could adapt land-based surface-to-air
systems for use on destroyers, but there is no
evidence that they have done so. The first
of the missile-launching destroyers, desig-
nated the Kildin class, is a modification of
the Kotlin class destroyer. It is capable of
launching missiles against either ship or land
targets from its single, stern-mounted launch-
er. This class (see Figure 30) made its first
appearance in 1958, but there is some evidence
that it was under development as early as 1955.
The Kildin served as the prototype for the
missile system which now appears in the new
Krupnyy class (see Figure 30), a larger missile-
launching destroyer. This destroyer class was
first identified in 1958, but may have been
under development as early as 1956. The
Krupnyy mounts two launchers, which are
essentially the same as those on the Kildin,
one forward and one aft. Each launcher is
serviced by a deck house which contains the
missile handling and checkout equipment.
Good evidence indicates that nine missiles are
stowed below decks for each launcher on the
Krupnyy, and eight on the Kildin. The
launching cycle time is on the order of 10 min-
utes. The Krupnyy has a platform on the
stern apparently for the use of a helicopter
which can serve as a forward observer when
missiles are fired to full range. At least four
Kildins and six Krupnyys were probably opera-
tional at the beginning of 1961. By 1958, the
Soviets had available two types of surface-to-
surface cruise missiles, 83-N-1 and SS-N-2,
for use by destroyers.
136.One of these, 83-N-1, can be used against
both land and ship targets. The guidance sys-
tem probably permits the missile to be pro-
grammed, possibly with radar track radio
command override feature, with terminal
homing against ships. It probably flies at
high subsonic speeds and at altitudes of 1,000
to 10,000 feet. When employed against a mo-
bile target, the effective range of the missile
is limited by the detection capabilities of the
overall system. Therefore, when the firing
ship is employed singly, the effective range of
the missile is limited to 20 to 30 n.m. by the
target acquisition range of the ship's radar.
The use of another ship as a forward observer
to detect and acquire targets for the launch
ship may extend the effective range of the
missile to 40-60 n.m. or to 100 n.m. by use
of a helicopter or aircraft. Against a shore
target, the masile would have a range of at
least 100 n.m. without forward observation.
The SS-N-1 carries a 1,000 pound HE or nu-
clear warhead " and has a CEP of about 150-
feet against surface ships and 1-2 n.m. against
shore targets.
137.The SS-N-2 is a supersonic cruise-type
missile designed for use only against ships.
Its range, estimated at 20-30 n.m. when used
with a single ship, can be extended to 60-80
n.m. with assistance from a forward observer
in a ship or aircraft. Its guidance system is
similar to that of the SS-N-1. Howcvee, this
missile probably approaches at a low altitude
(about 200 feet) and then dives into the water
short of the target so that the warhead will
explode under the ship. Payload and accu-
racy are believed to be the same as estimated
for SS-N-1 against ship targets.
138.We have photographs of a new class of
patrol craft (designated "Osa" class) with
four structures which appear to be launchers
(see Figure 31). Conversion of smaller, ex-
isting motor torpedo boats (designated
'Annex E, "Estimated Present Nuclear Warhead
Capabilities." (Limited Distribution)