SHAYKOVKA WEAPON STORAGE AREA
The above image depicts the weapon storage area at Shaykovka AB in Russia. Shaykovka is home to the 52nd TBAP, part of Russia's 37th Air Army (strategic aviation). The 52nd is a Tu-22M3 (BACKFIRE-C) user, and the WSA is littered with Kh-22 (AS-4 KITCHEN) airframes. Shipping/storage containers for the weapons can also be seen. These containers are often tracked in imagery to determine when weapons are transferred between locations, such as between a factory and an operational unit. Tracking weapons gives analysts an idea of the combat potential of a given unit; if a small number of weapons are avaialble to a large squadron, for example, then the unit will not be as effective as it might appear on paper.
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION
Feel free to discuss the current Image of the Week at the IMINT & Analysis Forum Image of the Week discussion thread found here.
SOURCES
-Overhead imagery provided courtesy of Google Earth
The above image depicts the weapon storage area at Shaykovka AB in Russia. Shaykovka is home to the 52nd TBAP, part of Russia's 37th Air Army (strategic aviation). The 52nd is a Tu-22M3 (BACKFIRE-C) user, and the WSA is littered with Kh-22 (AS-4 KITCHEN) airframes. Shipping/storage containers for the weapons can also be seen. These containers are often tracked in imagery to determine when weapons are transferred between locations, such as between a factory and an operational unit. Tracking weapons gives analysts an idea of the combat potential of a given unit; if a small number of weapons are avaialble to a large squadron, for example, then the unit will not be as effective as it might appear on paper.ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION
Feel free to discuss the current Image of the Week at the IMINT & Analysis Forum Image of the Week discussion thread found here.
SOURCES
-Overhead imagery provided courtesy of Google Earth
3 comments:
Is it typical for those missiles to be stored out in the open? I always assumed that they would be stored in bunkers.
SOC, I suggest that you an elaboration of a map with the range radius of the Su-27 of the Russian Air Force.
Is the Kh-22 missile still in active service? I remember reading somewhere that they were retired in 2007.
Post a Comment