Cat House radar
Encyclopedia
The Cat House Soviet radar system was part of the Soviet radar system originally based in the former Soviet Union, what is today Russia
. The 'Cat House' system is a long range early detection radar built to detect American
ballistic missiles fired at Moscow.
was the first such system developed in the Soviet Union
and went into limited operation in 1972. The entire A35 consisted of a single command point, 8 sector radars, one long distance radar and a single Duna-3U radar. 32 missile launchers with the A-350 missile were to complete the system.
The A35 Anti-ballistic missile
system was under construction during the height of the Cold War
. One of the radar components was designated by NATO as the Cat House radar. Others included "Hen House" and "Dog House."The system became operational in 1972. Further testing in 1974 predicted a missile kill rate of 93%.
while its companion Dog House (Dunai-3) is to the southwest. Both were capable of detecting the launch of Pershing-2 nuclear missiles no later than 2–3 minutes after launch. Cat House was oriented toward China
Dog House was oriented toward Germany
where the flight time of the nuclear missiles from Germany
was estimated between 10–12 minutes. The A35 system was thought by the Soviets to provide at least some advanced warning of a surprise attack.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. The 'Cat House' system is a long range early detection radar built to detect American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ballistic missiles fired at Moscow.
System
Cat House was one part of a complex missile system that was developed beginning in the 1960s. The A-35 anti-ballistic missile systemA-35 anti-ballistic missile system
The A-35 anti-ballistic missile system, or A-35 Aldan, was a Soviet military battle management radar complex deployed around Moscow to intercept enemy missiles targeting the city or its surrounding areas. In development since the 1960s and in operation from 1971 until the 1990s, It featured the...
was the first such system developed in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and went into limited operation in 1972. The entire A35 consisted of a single command point, 8 sector radars, one long distance radar and a single Duna-3U radar. 32 missile launchers with the A-350 missile were to complete the system.
The A35 Anti-ballistic missile
Anti-ballistic missile
An anti-ballistic missile is a missile designed to counter ballistic missiles .A ballistic missile is used to deliver nuclear, chemical, biological or conventional warheads in a ballistic flight trajectory. The term "anti-ballistic missile" describes any antimissile system designed to counter...
system was under construction during the height of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. One of the radar components was designated by NATO as the Cat House radar. Others included "Hen House" and "Dog House."The system became operational in 1972. Further testing in 1974 predicted a missile kill rate of 93%.
Task
The Cat House site is south of MoscowMoscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
while its companion Dog House (Dunai-3) is to the southwest. Both were capable of detecting the launch of Pershing-2 nuclear missiles no later than 2–3 minutes after launch. Cat House was oriented toward China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
Dog House was oriented toward Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
where the flight time of the nuclear missiles from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
was estimated between 10–12 minutes. The A35 system was thought by the Soviets to provide at least some advanced warning of a surprise attack.