The Sary Shagan Weapons Testing Range

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CONFIDENTIAL / WARNING NOTICE - SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE
SOURCES AND METHODS INVOLVED

FIRK-311/01638-77

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10. Besides the System-75 [SA-2] warheads, Site 4 also checked the warheads for a missile(s) known as the System-300 and/or Aldan. (Field Comment: Source did not know if Aldan was another name for the System-300 missile, or if they were two similar missiles.) The System-300/Aldan warheads after being checked at Site 4 were taken to Site 35 for launching. According to rumor, the missile was for antimissile defense (protivo raketnaya oborona - PRO). (Field Comment: Source identified the System-300/Aldan missile in available reference material as the ABM-1/GALOSH.)

11. The warhead for the System-300/Aldan missile was about two meters long and 80 to 100 centimeters in diameter. The warhead weighed approximately 400 kilograms, and it contained an unrecalled number of black cassettes, 45 x 12 centimeters, which housed an unknown number of metal balls (shariki). Warheads for the System-75 [SA-2] missile had approximately 100 grey cassettes, 30 x 7 centimeters, each of which held about 200 to 300 metal balls, each no more than 1.5 centimeters in diameter. (Field Comment: Source had no knowledge regarding nuclear warheads. He opined that all systems could be equipped with nuclear warheads. However, Source stated all work done by his department was basically experimental (opytnaya).)

13. According to hearsay, experiments involving laser weapons were being conducted at an unknown location at the range. Supposedly, the tests involved powerful antennas (no further details).

14. On one evening in late Summer 1973, Source observed an

CONFIDENTIAL