Documents / FOIA release
This is National Intelligence Estimate 11-5-61, Soviet Technical Capabilities in Guided Missiles and Space Vehicles. It was submitted by the Director of Central Intelligence and concurred in by the United States Intelligence Board on 25 April 1961. The estimate assesses Soviet surface-to-air, antimissile, air-to-air, air-to-surface, ballistic, ICBM, naval and space programs. It concludes that the first Soviet ICBM unit was probably operational around 1 January 1960. It also says there is no evidence the Soviets are developing offensive space weapons. It contains no UFO material.
000278407 33 ballistic missiles of the type carried by the "Z" class conversion. For missile launching, both the converted "Z" and the "G" class sub- marines would need to be surfaced, or more likely with the sail awash. Since it has not been established that the fairing doors con- ceal ballistic missile tubes, the possibility can- not be excluded that the "G" class is equipped with cruise-type missiles. 146. We believe that Soviet planners would consider it operationally desirable to have nu- clear-powered submarines capable of launch- ing. ballist4 missiles, preferably while sub- merged. There is some evidence which sug- gests an active development program, and we believe that such a program probably is underway. We estimate that Soviet nuclear- powered submarines, each capable of carrying and launching while submerged 6-12 ballistic missiles of 500-1,000 n.m. range could become operational in 1962-1963. This system would require a new missile using either solid pro- pellant or storable liquid fuel. We estimate that it would carry a 1,000 pound warhead and have a CEP of one to three n.m. We would expect that this missile (SS-N-5) would be tested at Kapustin Yar, that E we would be able to identify it as a new missil and that approximately 18 months of testing would be required before It could become op- erational. It is possible that the Soviets have elected to equip nuclear submarines with sur- face-launched ballistid missiles of the type attributed to the converted "Z" and "G" classes. If this is the case, a few Soviet nu- clear-powered missile submarines could be op- erational this year. TOP SECRET'
Not linked to a story yet.
FOIA release, from the cia-readingroom collection. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is above. 101 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.