946th Main Geospatial Information Center
Unit Identification
The 946th Main Geospatial Information Center (Russian: 946-й Главный центр геопространственной информации), military unit 43651 (в/ч 43651), is a Russian Ministry of Defence geospatial organization. The headquarters is located in Noginsk, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation. The unit’s designation and numbering identify it as a central-level facility within Russia’s defense geospatial enterprise.
Location Analysis
Noginsk lies approximately 50 km east of central Moscow along the M7 (E22) corridor and is integrated into the Moscow Oblast transportation and communications network. This proximity to Moscow affords reliable access to national command, research, and communications infrastructure. Precise facility coordinates, site layout, and access controls are not publicly released in official open sources.
Organizational Subordination
The center functions within the Russian Armed Forces’ Military Topographic Service, which is overseen by the Military Topographic Directorate of the General Staff (Военно‑топографическое управление Генерального штаба). This service is responsible for topographic and geodetic support across all branches of the Russian Armed Forces, including the production, maintenance, and distribution of geospatial data and cartographic materials.
Mission and Core Tasks
The center’s role aligns with the established tasks of the Military Topographic Service: provision of topographic‑geodetic support (TGO) to planning and operations; compilation, updating, and management of topographic maps and digital cartographic data; maintenance of geospatial databases and elevation models; terrain analysis and specialized mapping; geodetic surveying and maintenance of geodetic control; and distribution of geospatial products to formations and units via authorized channels.
Geospatial Products and Outputs
Outputs associated with Russia’s defense geospatial system include hard‑copy topographic maps at standard military scales (e.g., 1:25,000; 1:50,000; 1:100,000; 1:200,000; 1:500,000; 1:1,000,000), digital topographic maps (ЦТК), orthoimagery and orthomosaics, digital elevation/terrain models, geodetic control catalogs, and specialized thematic products supporting artillery, aviation, engineering, logistics, and route planning. Product formats and security classification levels are determined by operational requirements and applicable regulations.
Data Sources and Collection Inputs
The Military Topographic Service employs multi‑source inputs, including satellite remote sensing, aerial photography, ground geodetic surveys, and existing cartographic holdings. Russia operates or has operated national Earth observation systems relevant to mapping and geospatial support, such as the Bars‑M series (military mapping satellites; launches in 2015 and 2016), optical platforms (e.g., Persona), civilian EO systems that can contribute data (e.g., Resurs‑P series and Kanopus‑V), and synthetic aperture radar assets (e.g., Kondor‑FKA, launched in 2023). Specific tasking and data flows for unit 43651 are not detailed in open official documents.
Operational Integration and Use Cases
Geospatial support from the center underpins targeting and fire planning for artillery and rocket troops, mission planning for aviation and UAVs, route and bridging analysis for engineers, navigation support for maneuver forces, and terrain intelligence for staff planning. Accurate geodetic control and digital mapping are also critical for long‑range precision weapons employment and the alignment of command‑and‑control and situational awareness systems that require consistent geospatial baselayers.
Coordinate Systems and Standards
Russian defense geospatial products and computations employ state and military coordinate frameworks. GSK‑2011 is the current state geodetic coordinate system of the Russian Federation; GLONASS uses the PZ‑90.11 geocentric system. Legacy systems such as SK‑42 and SK‑95 remain in use for some datasets and interoperability. Conversion and consistency between these systems are essential for accurate targeting, navigation, and multi‑service operations.
Infrastructure and Security Posture
As a central geospatial organization, the center’s infrastructure typically includes secure facilities for data ingestion, processing, storage, and classified product dissemination, as well as controlled repositories for hard‑copy and digital holdings. Specifics on server architecture, network connectivity, facility protection, and classified systems are not disclosed publicly. Physical and information security are governed by Russian MoD regulations, with access restricted to authorized personnel.
Known Identifiers and Nomenclature
Official identifiers and names include: 946th Main Geospatial Information Center; military unit 43651 (в/ч 43651); Russian name: 946-й Главный центр геопространственной информации. The unit is publicly associated with Noginsk, Moscow Oblast as its headquarters location. Additional internal designations, postal codes for secure correspondence, and communications identifiers are not published in open sources.
Information Availability and Gaps
Open-source information confirms the unit’s designation, number, and headquarters location in Noginsk. Detailed information on internal structure, personnel strength, specific equipment suites, data holdings, precise facility layout, and tasking processes is not publicly available or is classified. Where official Russian Ministry of Defence sources discuss the Military Topographic Service broadly, they do not provide unit‑level technical details for military unit 43651.