The image above depicts the location of the N-17 Duga-1 and 5N77 Duga-2 (MARS BAR) over-the-horizon radar (OTH-R) prototypes. The Duga series of OTH-R arrays were designed to provide long-range detection of ballistic missile launches. The N-17 and larger 5N77 validated the concept through a series of trials, paving the way for the 5N32 Duga-3 (STEEL YARD) OTH-R complexes. Once the N-17 proof-of-concept system demonstrated the viablility of the OTH-R design, the sub-scale 5N77 array was constructed near Nikolayev and trialled against missile launches from Baikonur and other locations. The circular structure in the above image is a former Krug CDAA site, which may have been modified to serve as part of the 5N77. The N-17 was dismantled to give way to the larger 5N77 array and is no longer visible.ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION
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SOURCES
-Satellite imagery provided courtesy of Google EarthAuthored by Sean O'Connor Visit geimint.blogspot.com for the article in its entirety.