Documents / FOIA release
This is an October 1968 contribution by the Central Intelligence Agency's Office of Strategic Research to National Intelligence Estimate 11-14-68 on Soviet and East European general purpose forces. It covers Warsaw Pact war plans for Central Europe, the effects of the Czechoslovak crisis, and the doubling of Soviet forces on the Chinese border since 1965. It also assesses ground, tactical air, naval and coastal defense forces. The text does not mention UFOs or unidentified aerial phenomena.
“The Advance”9 pages
Field artillery developments are marked by the continuing introduction of the 122mm howitzer Model D-30 into both tank and motorized rifle divi- in Category I divisions. The 122mm multiple rocket launcher, which can fire a 40-round salvo, is also being introduced into both types of Soviet divisions to replace their old 140mm 17-round and 240mm 12-round launchers. In addition to its much greater salvo capability, the new weapon has greater range than either of the older systems. There are indications that the Soviets are increasing the number of field artillery pieces in the division. At least one Soviet motorized rifle division in Germany has been observed with 54 guns instead of the 48 normally assigned to motorized rifle divisions. Similarly, sightings of Soviet tank divisions in East Germany indicate a probable increase from 36 to 42 guns in those divisions. These increases, along with the increased firepower of the new multiple-round rocket launcher, indicate that the Soviets see a requirement for greater - nonnuclear fire support. Some helicopter units are beginnning to receive the turbine-powered MI-8 Hip, which can carry about 28 troops or 5,000 pounds of cargo to a radius of 125 nautical miles. This helicopter has nearly double the payload capacity of the MI-4 which is currently in service with most units. Bulk loads such as an antitank gun can be loaded through clam- shell doors in the fuselage. The capability for short-range lift of heavy equipment in combat operations is being improved through the introduction of the MI-10, a flying crane derivative of the MI-6 large cargo helicopter. The cargo of the MI-6 includes tracked vehicles, trucks, and field guns. The MI-10 can transport 21,000 pounds of cargo to a 1 4 0-nautical-mile radius. In addition to increased weight, this helicopter also offers advantages in the transporting of off-size cargo or bulky equipment. The MI-6, which currently provides most of the heavy lift capability, carries a normal load of about 13,000 pounds. - 49 - TOSEGRET
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FOIA release, from the cia-readingroom collection. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is above. 115 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.