Missile Test Unit (Israel)

Missile Test Unit 151
יחידת ניסוי טילים 151
The logo for 151 Squadron (Blue concentric circles, a mountain, a plane rising north, a nuclear radiation symbol)
Active1967 - Present
Country Israel
BranchIsraeli Air Force
RoleMissile testing
Garrison/HQPalmachim 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) and other kinds of weapons, including directed-energy systems. They are based at Palmachim Airbase. The unit is also responsible for launching satellites into orbit, including the classified Ofek system.

A unit member stands in front of test articles of the Arrow 2 and 3 missiles.
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) was established in the middle of the country. 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.

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

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.

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

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

A unit member stands in front of the unit's logo.
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. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Palmachim: an airbase within a nature reserve". The Jerusalem Post. September 18, 2021. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Shimshon Rozen: One of Israel's finest airmen". The Jerusalem Post. December 22, 2011. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Defense Ministry to outsource IDF's Missile Test Unit operations". Ynetnews. November 7, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  1. ↑ https://www.mako.co.il/pzm-soldiers/Article-473a6f1184240a1026.htm