Name: Compaignie des Engines à Réaction pour Vol Accéleré (CERVA)
Location: Heliopolis. 36° 06' 00" N, 31° 20' 00" E
Subordinate to: Ministry of War/Egyptian Air Force
Primary function: Ballistic missile and long-range artillery rocket development and testing (possibly production also).
Description:
During 1952-3 the "Free Officers," nominally headed by General Muhammad Naguib, reorganized missile and rocket development within Egypt under the control of a newly established enterprise—the Compaignie des Engines à Réaction pour Vol Accéleré (CERVA) located in the Heliopolis section of Cairo. CERVA was a joint government (e.g., military) and private civilian enterprise that was chaired by a civilian, Count de Lavison. Supporting CERVA was another new organization—the Egyptian Astronautical Society—that was established on 8 September 1953. The society collaborated with various universities, and engineering and scientific societies, to advance the study of rockets and space in Egypt.[1]
CERVA research and production facilities appear to have been located outside Cairo, at al-Mazar airfield, although the ballistics section of the Helwan munitions factory may have also provided assistance.[2] Egypt would establish the Sakr Factory in 1953 to serve as the production and research center for rocket and missile development within Egypt.[3]
During 1957, due to a failure to achieve any significant results and internal political dynamics the missile development program was canceled and CERVA was dissolved.
Name: Unknown
Alternate name(s): Helwan Munitions Factory, Ballistics Section
Location: Helwan. 29° 51' 00" N, 31° 20' 00" E
Subordinate to: Unknown
Primary function: Production of various small arms, artillery and aircraft delivered munitions.
Description:
During the early 1950s was involved in ballistic missile and long-range artillery rocket development in cooperation with the Compaignie des Engines à Réaction pour Vol Accéleré (CERVA).
Name: Sakr Factory, Sakr Factory for Developed Industries
Alternate name(s): Factory 333
Location: Heliopolis. 36° 06' 00" N, 31° 20' 00" E
Subordinate to: Ministry of War/Egyptian Air Force (1950s-1970s), Egyptian General Aero Organization (1960s), Ministry of Defense (1970s – present)
Primary function: Ballistic missile and long-range artillery rocket development, production and testing.
Description:
Established in 1953, the Sakr Factory has since served over the years as the central facility in ballistic missile and long-range artillery rocket development in Egypt.[4] During its history it appears to have undergone several reorganizations and been subordinate to several entities.
During the 1950s it worked in cooperation with the Compaignie des Engines à Réaction pour Vol Accéleré (CERVA). The factory was organized into three main departments rocket engine, guidance and airframe. It included not only the factory complex itself, but also a small rocket and missile test site.[5]
During the 1960s, as a component of the Egyptian General Aero Organization it was the primary facility involved in the development, production and testing of the al-Kahir, al-Zafir and Al-Ra'id ballistic missiles during the 1960s.
Prior to the 1973 War, in cooperation with the Egyptian Armed Forces Technical Institute (AFTI) it was responsible for refurbishing and preparing these missile for combat use.
During the mid 1970s the Sakr Factory for Developed Industries became part of the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI). Since that time it has been involved in the Sakr-80, RS-120, Condor II/Vector and improved Scud programs.
Name: Helwan Aircraft Factory
Alternate name(s): Factory 36
Location: Helwan. 29° 51' 00" N, 31° 20' 00" E
Subordinate to: Ministry of War/Egyptian Air Force (1950s-1960s), Egyptian General Aero Organization (1960s), Ministry of Defense (1970s – present)
Primary function: Design, development and production of aircraft.
Description:
The Helwan Aircraft Factory had been opened earlier, during 1950-51, to produce the British DeHavilland Vampire jet fighter under license. This program was canceled during 1952, and the factory had remained relatively inactive until 1960 when it was assigned responsiblity for the overall design and production of the airframe for the HA-200 jet-trainer and HA-300 jet fighter.[6] A work force of approximately 1,000 Egyptians would eventually be assigned to these programs.[7]
As a component of the Egyptian General Aero Organization it may have contributed to the development of the al-Kahir, al-Zafir and Al-Ra'id ballistic missiles during the 1960s.
During the mid 1970s this facility became part of the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI).
Name: Helwan Engine Factory
Alternate name(s): Factory 135
Location: Helwan. 29° 51' 00" N, 31° 20' 00" E
Subordinate to: Ministry of War/Egyptian Air Force (1950s-1960s), Egyptian General Aero Organization (1960s), Ministry of Defense (1970s – present)
Primary function: Design, development and production of aircraft.
Description:
During the 1950s and 1960s the Helwan Engine Factory shared shared a common history with the Helwan Aircraft Factory.[8] During the 1960s it was tasked with the design and development of the E-300-A turbojet for the HA-300. As a component of the Egyptian General Aero Organization it may have contributed to the development of the al-Kahir, al-Zafir and Al-Ra'id ballistic missiles during the 1960s.
During the mid 1970s this facility became part of the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI).
Name: Kader Factory, Kader Factory for Developed Industries
Alternate name(s): Unknown
Location: Heliopolis. 36° 06' 00" N, 31° 20' 00" E
Subordinate to: Ministry of War/Egyptian Air Force (1950s-1960s), Egyptian General Aero Organization (1960s), Ministry of Defense (1970s – present)
Primary function: Design, development and production of guidance systems for aircraft and missiles.
Description:
Originally established in 1950 to license-manufacture the Bücker Bü-181 primary trainer (known locally as the Gomhouria Mk. 1) during the 1960s, as a component of the Egyptian General Aero Organization it was involved in the development of the guidance system for the al-Kahir, al-Zafir and Al-Ra'id ballistic missiles.
During the mid 1970s the Kader Factory for Developed Industries became part of the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI). Since that time it has been involved in the Sakr-80, RS-120, Condor II/Vector and improved Scud programs.
Name: Heliopolis Company for Chemical Industries
Alternate name(s): Factory 81
Location: Heliopolis. 36° 06' 00" N, 31° 20' 00" E
Subordinate to: Ministry of War/Egyptian Air Force (1950s-1960s), Egyptian General Aero Organization (1960s), Ministry of Defense (1970s – present)
Primary function: Design, development and production of the various rocket fuels and warhead explosives for the missile program.
Description:
During the 1960s, as a component of the Egyptian General Aero Organization it was involved in the Design, development and production of the various rocket fuels and warhead explosives for the al-Kahir, al-Zafir and Al-Ra'id ballistic missiles.
During the mid 1970s this facility may have become part of the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI).
Name: Kaha Company for Chemical Industries
Alternate name(s): Factory 270
Location: Unknown.
Subordinate to: Ministry of War/Egyptian Air Force (1950s-1960s), Egyptian General Aero Organization (1960s), Ministry of Defense (1970s – present)
Primary function: Design, development and production of the various rocket fuels and warhead explosives for the missile program.
Description:
During the 1960s, as a component of the Egyptian General Aero Organization it was involved in the Design, development and production of the various rocket fuels and warhead explosives for the al-Kahir, al-Zafir and Al-Ra'id ballistic missiles.
During the mid 1970s this facility may have become part of the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI).
Name: Egyptian Armed Forces Technical Institute (AFTI)
Alternate name(s):
Location: Cairo. 30° 03' 00" N, 31° 15' 00" E
Subordinate to: Ministry of War (1960-1970s), Ministry of Defense (1970s-Present)
Description:
The Armed Forces Technical Institute (AFTI) was established in 1968 to provide technical training to Egyptian military personnel in the areas of aviation, rockets, missiles, radar, gunnery, communications, military vehicles, and navy ships and equipment.
With the termination of the al-Kahir, al-Zafir and Al-Ra'id ballistic missile programs during the late 1960s, all remaining missile airframes, engines, components, and associated manufacturing and testing equipment, were placed in storage with the AFTI.[9] Prior to the 1973 War it, in cooperation with the Sakr Factory, was responsible for refurbishing and preparing these missile for combat use.
Since the 1973 War it has remained the premier organization providing technical training to the Egyptian Armed Forces. In this role it has served as a source for personnel in Egypt's rocket and missile programs and has been engaged in basic missile research.
Name: Unknown
Alternate name(s): Gebal el Hamza Test Range
Location: Gebal el Hamza. 30° 14' 38" N, 31° 38' 33" E
Subordinate to: Ministry of Defense/Egyptian Army
Primary function: Test range for artillery, rockets and missiles
Description:
Reports indicate that the Egyptian Army operates a test range for artillery, rockets and missiles near Gebal el Hamza east of Cairo.
Name: Unknown
Alternate name(s): Unknown
Location: Unknown
Subordinate to: Ministry of War
Primary function: Test range for rockets and missiles
Description:
During the 1960s Egypt tested its al-Kahir, al-Zafir and Al-Ra'id ballistic missiles at a test range approximately 70 km northwest of Cairo. The missiles were fired directly east from the launch site impacting in the desert.
Name: Abu Zaabal Company for Specialty Chemicals
Alternate name(s): Unknown
Location: Abu Zaabal. 30° 15' 00" N, 31° 21' 00" E
Subordinate to: Ministry of Defense (1970s – present)
Primary function: Design, development and production of rocket motors and propellants.
Description:
During the 1980s the Abu Zaabal Company for Specialty Chemicals was involved in the Sakr-80 and possibly the RS-120, Condor II/Vector and improved Scud programs.
[1] "500 From Europe Aid Cairo on Arms;" Decline of Honor, p. 83; and Ordway III, Frederick I. and Wakeford, Ronald C. International Missile and Spacecraft Guide, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York, 1960, p. 21.
[2] Decline of Honor, p. 102.
[3] It is unclear as to whether this factory was identified as the Sakr Factory when it was established. The term Sakr Factory will, however, be utilized to facilitate readability. Ropelewski, Robert R. "Improvisation Key to Egyptian Growth," Aviation Week & Space Technology, November 13, 1978, pp. 38-47; and "500 From Europe Aid Cairo on Arms," p. 1.
[4] It is unclear as to whether this factory was identified as the Sakr Factory when it was established. The term Sakr Factory will, however, be utilized to facilitate readability. Ropelewski, Robert R. "Improvisation Key to Egyptian Growth," Aviation Week & Space Technology, November 13, 1978, pp. 38-47; and "500 From Europe Aid Cairo on Arms," p. 1.
[5] What function, if any, Irene Bredt-Sänger served in Factory 333 is unknown. It is probable that she remained, as she had during the war, her husband's assistant. She is known to have been engaged in research and teaching in Egypt.
[6] Helwan is approximately 23 km south of Cairo on the Nile River. Detailed descriptions of the HA-200 and HA-300 programs can be found in the following sources: "The 'Status Symbol' Fighter," Flying Review International, April 1967, Vol. 22, No. 8, pp. 491-492; "Germano-Spanish-Egyptian," Air International, July 1974, p. 48; and "HA-300: Egypt's Cosmopolitan Status Symbol," pp. 1-11.
[7] "Improvisation Key to Egyptian Growth," pp. 38-47.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid., and "Massive Resupply Narrows Israeli Margin," p. 18. The disposition of the al-Ra'id missiles, of which at least 8 are known to have been constructed, is uncertain. The two most likely fates are that they were either broken up and scrapped, or expended during test launches.
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Updated April 2004 |
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