Missile Test Unit (Israel)

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Missile Test Unit 151
יחידת ניסוי טילים 151
151 squdron (experimental missiles unit).png
Active1967 - Present [1]
CountryFlag of Israel.svg Israel
Branch Israeli Air Force
RoleMissile testing
Garrison/HQ Palmachim Airbase
NicknameYanat
Mottos"מכוונים גבוה, מגיעים רחוק" transl. "Aim high, reach far"

Missile Test Unit 151 (יחידת ניסוי טילים) abbreviated as Unit 151 or 151 Squadron, is a unit of the Israeli Air force that performs tests of missiles (such as the Arrow missile system [2] ) and other kinds of weapons, including directed-energy systems. [3] [4] They are based at Palmachim Airbase. [5] The unit is also responsible for launching satellites into orbit, [6] including the classified Ofek system.

A unit member stands in front of test articles of the Arrow 2 and 3 missiles. IAF 151 squdron (experimental missiles unit) coverall 2.jpg
A unit member stands in front of test articles of the Arrow 2 and 3 missiles.

History

In 1969, the unit's test range at what is now the Palmachim Airbase (referred to as "Yanat", also a nickname for the unit itself) [7] was established in the middle of the country. [1] The location was chosen so that rocket launches could travel out across the Mediterranean Sea and avoid the risk of accidentally sparking a conflict with Israel's neighboring countries. [8]

In 1991, Israeli military hero Shimshon Rozen took command of the unit. [9]

In June 2010, the Missile Test Unit participated in the launch of the Ofek 9 spy satellite, which flew to orbit from the unit's base. [7]

Starting in 2016, some functions of the unit were outsourced to private entities. [10]

In June 2021, the unit said that they had successfully shot down drones with a directed-energy weapon. [4]

A unit member stands in front of the unit's logo. IAF151 squdron (experimental missiles unit) coverall 1.jpg
A unit member stands in front of the unit's logo.

References

  1. 1 2 Opall-Rome, Barbara (December 4, 2017). "An inside look at Israel's missile test range". Defense News. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  2. ↑ "יחידת ניסוי הטילים חושפת: מאחורי הקלעים של יירוט במערכת החץ - וואלה חדשות". וואלה (in Hebrew). October 1, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  3. ↑ Gross, Judah Ari (June 21, 2021). "In test, Defense Ministry shoots down drone with plane-mounted laser". The Times of Israel. ISSN   0040-7909 . Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Tingley, Brett (June 21, 2021). "Israel Has Shot Down Drones With An Airborne High-Power Laser". The War Zone. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  5. ↑ "N12 - הצצה לבסיס הטילים הסודי של צה"ל". N12. December 28, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  6. ↑ "The Israeli Air Force : How Does the IAF Test its Weapons Systems?". www.iaf.org.il. Archived from the original on June 25, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Katz, Yaakov (April 26, 2011). "Their eyes behold the nation | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Palmachim: an airbase within a nature reserve | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. September 18, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Shimshon Rozen: One of Israel's finest airmen | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. December 22, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Defense Ministry to outsource IDF's Missile Test Unit operations". Ynetnews. November 7, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
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