26th independent Engineering & Test Unit

26-я отдельная инженерно-испытательная часть

Military Unit: 34200

Activated 11.71 in Leninsk, Kzyl-Orda Oblast, from the 481st Missile Regiment, under the 2nd Test Department, Baikonur Test Center (5th NIIP).

The units main task was missile/complex tests and training with the R-36M (SS-18) ICBM.

Disbanded 1994.

US designation: Baikonur Test Center - Launch Complex I (eight Type IIIC silos)

Construction of Site 101, 103 and 105 were begun in 1967 for the 8K67 (SS-9) missile, but was halted in mid-1968 - later completed as 15A14 sites.

Baikonur Test Center - Site 101 (45 57 03N, 63 25 39E)

• one 15A14 silo (US launch site I3) - built 9.70-11.72
• 15A14: 10 launches 21.2.73-18.2.76
• modernized for the 15A18 (SS-18) missile 1975-1977
• 15A18: 5 launches 12.5.78-23.11.79
• modernized for the 15A18M (SS-18) missile 8.83-10.85
• 15A18M: partly destroyed in first launch 21.3.86 - not repaired
• demolished 7.88

Baikonur Test Center - Site 103 (45 57 08N, 63 26 41E)

• one 15A14 silo (US launch site I2) - built 9.70-11.72
• 15A14: 10 launches 29.4.73-3.2.76
• modernized for the 15A18 (SS-18) missile 1975-1977
• 15A18: 10 launches 27.7.78-2.10.81
• modernized for the 15A18M (SS-18) missile 8.83-10.85
• 15A18M: 10 launches 21.8.86-12.9.91

Baikonur Test Center - Site 104 (45 59 15N, 63 25 11E)

• one 15A14 silo (US launch site I8) - built 11.70-9.72
• cold launch throw tests with 4 stage models of the 15A14 (SS-18): 2 tests 19.10.72-29.12.72
• 15A14: 7 launches 6.4.73-23.12.74
• modernized for the 15A18 (SS-18) missile 1975-1977
• 15A18: 20+ launches 31.10.77-20.11.91
• modernized for the 15A18M (SS-18) missile 1985-1987
• 15A18M: first launch 25.11.87

Baikonur Test Center - Site 105 (46 00 10N, 63 31 29E)

• one 15A14 silo (US launch site I6) - built 9.71-9.72
• 15A14: 5 launches 27.4.74-28.5.76
• modernized for the 15A18 (SS-18) missile 1975-1978
• 15A18: 2 launches 16.10.78-26.12.78
• modernized for the 15A18M (SS-18) missile 10.83-12.86
• 15A18M: 5 launches 25.3.87-28.5.91
• demolished 27.7.95

Baikonur Test Center - Site 106 (45 57 01N, 63 29 46E) - co-located with Site 109

• one 15A14 silo (US launch site I9) - built 8.71-9.73
• modernized for the 15A18 (SS-18) missile 1975-1977
• 15A14/18: 20+ launches 4.7.74-30.2.83

Baikonur Test Center - Site 107 (46 14 18N, 63 53 41E) - co-located with Site 108

• one 15A14 silo (US launch site I10) - built 8.71-9.73
• modernized for the 15A18 (SS-18) missile 1975-1977
• 15A14/18: no launches
• demolished 16.8.95

Baikonur Test Center - Site 108 (46 14 18N, 63 53 41E) - co-located with Site 107

• one 15A14 silo (US launch site I10) - built 8.71-9.73
• modernized for the 15A18 (SS-18) missile 1975-1977
• modernized for the 15A18M (SS-18) missile 1983-1986
• 15A14/18: no launches
• demolished 16.8.95

Baikonur Test Center - Site 109 (45 57 01N, 63 29 46E) - co-located with Site 106

• one 15A14 silo (US launch site I9) - built 8.71-9.73
• modernized for the 15A18 (SS-18) missile 1975-1977
• 15A14/18: 20+ launches 26.7.74-11.10.83
• modernized for the 15A18M (SS-18) missile 10.83-12.86
• 15A18M: 5 launches from 3.6.87

Baikonur Test Center - Site 111-1 (45 54 46N, 63 25 50E)

• control site - silo mounted
• test of control center 15V52, and from late 1980's 15V222
• not in use today

Baikonur Test Center - Site 111-2 (45 54 46N, 63 25 50E)

• control site - silo mounted - built 1977-1978
• control center (15V155) for the 15A18 (SS-18) launch group
• demolished late 1990's

Sites 102, 140 and 141 probably also came under the 26th independent Engineering & Test Unit from 11.71. (see 25th independent Engineering & Test Unit)

HQ 26th independent Engineering & Test Unit was at Site 43 and from 1976 at Site 37 (45 52 56N, 63 26 35E), and support came from Site 42 (see the 39th independent Engineering & Test Unit).