OSR Contribution to NIE 11-14-68, Soviet and East European General Purpose Forces, CIA/DI/OSR, October 1968.

nificant portion of the training time of Brewer regi-
ments is devoted to navigation exercises. The pay-
load of the Brewer reflects the Soviet belief that
-=.--development of nucle-ar-weapns -elimnated'thy naed- -
for large bomb loads.
The limited strike capability of Front
aviation is supplemented by the LRA medium bomber force.
The current LRA force includes about 600 TU-16 Badger
and 150 to 160 TU-22 Blinder medium bombers. Most of
the TU-16's and all of the TU-22's are believed to be
oriented to Eurasian missions which would directly or
indirectly support Front operations.
LRA medium bombers directly.engaged
in support of Front operations would perform missions
similar to those of the light bomber force. The main
distinction between the missions of the two forces
would be in the depth of the strikes behind the battle-
field area.
Both Badgers and Blinders can carry
up to 20,000 pounds of conventional or nuclear weapons,
and many are equipped to launch air-to-surface missiles.
The bombers have enough range for strikes throughout
the area of interest of the Front, even when operating
from their home bases and using low-level tactics to
avoid enemy defenses.
d. Reconnaissance
All major TAA's have at least one re-
connaissance unit, usually the equivalent of a regiment.
These units have the dual responsibility of intelligence
collection and armed reconnaissance. In the armed recon-
naissance concept, the Soviets stress the importance of
attacking targets of opportunity. Additional reconnais-
sance support for Front operations could be provided by
LRA medium bombers.
Continuing concern for tactical battle-
field reconnaissance has been reflected in recent years
by deployment of high-performance aircraft in this role.
Since late 1966, extensively modified MIG-21 Fishbeds
have been assigned to reconnaissance units. Recently
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TPE RET