DIA Military Art Series: The Threat In The 1980s,
Set 1 |
DIA Military Art Collection |
(Please click on thumbnail to view larger representation.) |
|
SOVIET GROUND-BASED LASER - Edward L. Cooper, 1986
The Soviet Strategic Defense Program involved extensive research on advanced
technologies in the 1980s. The USSR already had ground-based lasers, conceptually
illustrated here, capable of interfering with some US satellites.
(210 kb) |
|
SOVIET SPACE-BASED STRATEGIC DEFENSES - Ronald C. Wittmann,
1987
While publicly opposed to the US Strategic Defense Initiative, the Soviet
Union forged ahead with research and development of land-, air-, and space-based
ballistic missile defenses. The Soviets had already deployed and tested
ground-based lasers.
(175 kb) |
|
SOVIET SS-18 MOD 5 INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILE
- Ronald C. Wittmann, 1989
The silo-launched SS-18 Mod 5 was the core of the Soviet Union's modernized
ICBM arsenal in the 1980's. The SS-18 featured hard-target-kill capability
and ten nuclear warheads on each missile. The Soviets converted silos
to replace the older version SS-18 Satan with the MOD 5.
(235 kb) |
|
SOVIET RAIL-MOBILE SS-24 MOD 1 INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC
MISSILE - Edward L. Cooper, 1988
The accuracy and survivability of the rail-mobile SS-24 deployed in the
1980's significantly increased the lethality of the USSR's intercontinental
ballistic missile force. This missile could be deployed throughout the
Soviet Union.
(317 kb) |
|
SOVIET SA-12B GIANT AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM - Ronald C.
Wittmann, 1989
The SA-12B, developed in the 1980s, was an accurate and long range air
defense system for use against aircraft, some stand-off command and control
platforms, and possibly some types of cruise and ballistic missiles.
(235 kb) |
|
SOVIET BM-27 MULTIPLE ROCKET LAUNCHER - Edward L. Cooper,
1986
The Soviet 16-tube, 220-mm BM-27 multiple rocket launcher was capable
of firing high-explosive conventional rounds, scattering mines, and delivering
chemical warheads as far as 40 kilometers. In the 1980s, it was widely
used to provide long-range fire support to Soviet forces in Afghanistan.
(206 kb) |
|
SOVIET HOKUM AND HAVOC ATTACK HELICOPTERS - Brian W.
McMullin, 1987
The new HOKUM attack helicopter, flight-tested in the late 1980s, gave
the Soviets a significant rotary-wing, air-to-air combat capability for
which no Western counterpart existed. Development of the HOKUM and HAVOC
(lower right) added to the serious Soviet conventional threat.
(374 kb) |
|
SOVIET MI-24 HIND DELIVERING CHEMICAL SPRAY - Edward
L. Cooper, 1986
The USSR maintained the world's largest stockpile of chemical warfare
agents in the 1980s. Virtually all conventional systems used by the Soviets--mortars,
artillery pieces, helicopters such as these Mi-24 HINDs, aircraft, and
long-range tactical missiles--could deliver chemical munitions.
(221 kb) |
|
SOVIET 280-MM MULTIPLE ROCKET LAUNCHER - Edward L.
Cooper, 1988
The large 280-mm multiple rocket launcher developed by the Soviets in
the 1980s was capable of laying down a broad field of fire, threatening
armored vehicles, infantry, airfields, and rear service areas.
(299 kb) |
|
SOVIET 203-MM 2S7 SELF-PROPELLED GUN - Edward L. Cooper,
1987
The 203-mm 2S7 self-propelled gun developed in the 1980's could fire nuclear
and conventional rounds to a range of at least 30 kilometers.
(188 kb) |
|
SOVIET BLACKJACK LOADING AS-16 MISSILES - Edward L.
Cooper, 1987
AS-16 nuclear missiles carried in the rotary launchers aboard the BLACKJACK
strategic bomber in the 1980s were a threat against theater and intercontinental
targets. The BLACKJACK bomber entered the Soviet operational inventory
in 1988. The AS-16 was a new short range, nuclear armed, air to surface
missile.
(265 kb) |
|
SOVIET BLACKJACK BOMBER WITH ESCORTS - Richard J. Terry,
1988
The introduction of the BLACKJACK intercontinental bomber in the late
1980s made the third leg of the Soviet strategic triad far more robust.
The BLACKJACK bomber could perform various missions, including nuclear
strike, conventional attack, antiship strike, and reconnaissance. Two
MiG-29 FULCRUMS escort this bomber.
(206 kb) |
|
SOVIET BLACKJACK BOMBER FIRING AS-15 MISSILE - Brian
W. McMullin, 1987
The BLACKJACK bomber, developed in the 1980s, could carry nuclear-armed
AS-15 cruise missiles for its strike and reconnaissance role in a nuclear
war. The new BLACKJACK and the AS-15 long-range, air-launched cruise missile
significantly increased the Soviet bomber force's weapons delivery capability
and survivability.
(168 kb) |
|
SOVIET MAINSTAY AWACS AIRCRAFT WITH ESCORT - Brian
W. McMullin, 1987
The MAINSTAY airborne warning and control system (AWACS), deployed in
the late 1980s, provided the Soviet Air Forces with a battle management
capability for their new FLANKER and FULCRUM (pictured here) aircraft.
An effective AWACS capability was essential for the Soviet drive for theater
air superiority over NATO.
(167 kb) |
|
SOVIET MIDAS TANKER REFUELING BEAR BOMBER - Richard
J. Terry, 1988
The MIDAS tanker aircraft, which became operational in 1987, was used
to support strategic bombers such as the BEAR H (pictured here) and possibly
tactical and air defense aircraft. In peacetime, in-flight refueling extended
the Soviets' reach from their homeland.
(128 kb) |
|
SOVIET FULCRUM TESTED FOR AIRCRAFT CARRIER USE - Ronald
C. Wittmann,
In the 1980's, the Soviets adapted fixed-wing aircraft for their new conventional
aircraft carriers. The MiG-29 FULCRUM and other aircraft were adapted
and evaluated for ramp-assisted takeoff at Saki naval airfield on the
Crimean Peninsula.
(278 kb) |
|
SOVIET WING-IN-GROUND EFFECT AIRCRAFT - Brian W. McMullin,
1988
During the 1980s, the Soviets continued testing various wing-in-ground
effect vehicles for use in coastal defense and amphibious operations.
The ORLAN-Class, seen here, takes advantage of the increased aerodynamic
lift that occurs when a wing operates near the surface. This greatly increases
the craft's ability to carry heavy loads over long distances, especially
over water, making it well-suited for amphibious warfare.
(189 kb) |
|
SOVIET TBILISI-CLASS CARRIER AT NIKOLAYEV - Brian W.
McMullin, 1987
The lead ship of the USSR's 65,000-metric ton TBILISI-class aircraft carriers
being fitted out in the late 1980s in Nikolayev Shipyard. This carrier
marked an evolutionary advance in naval capabilities over 40,000-metric
ton KIEV-Class carriers then operating with the Soviet fleet.
(240 kb) |
|
SOVIET DELTA SUBMARINE FIRING SS-N-18 MISSILES - Edward
L. Cooper, 1987
A Soviet DELTA III nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine firing
SS-N-18 missiles. The DELTA III submarine was 155 meters long, had 16
missile firing tubes, and carried SS-N-18 nuclear missiles.
(168 kb) |
|
SOVIET BALLISTIC MISSILE SUBMARINE BASE - Brian W.
McMullin, 1986
The USSR's strategic nuclear forces included a growing number of new TYPHOON-class
and DELTA IV-class strategic ballistic missile submarines deployed in
the 1980s. These advanced submarines, fitted with the latest generations
of nuclear missiles, could operate from bases with tunnels for protection.
(320 kb) |
|