Airforces

efore any new airframe or airborne

system can be deployed over

the battlefield it first has to be

rigorously proven to ensure its readiness

for engineers and mission-planners on the

ground and the pilots who will operate it

in combat. On the way to the front line,

Israeli Air Force (IAF) equipment is put

through its paces by the Flight Test Center.

With considerable allocations of

equipment and personnel, the IAF’s flight

test unit is designated as a ‘centre’ rather

than a squadron. It also differs from

most of its counterparts in one key

respect: not only does it conduct

test work in peacetime, but

also during conflict, and at

times even under fire.

Born of war

The Center emerged from

lessons learned during

the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

The IAF’s commander at the

time, Maj Gen Benny Peled,

decided the air force required an

independent unit in charge of testing

and evaluating systems and platforms

prior to their introduction with the IAF.

Established on April 1, 1974 with Yossi

Yaari as its first commander, the facility (also

known as Unit 5601 – MANAT, and

as 601 Flight Test Center) comes

under the direct command of

the IAF’s Weapons and

Equipment Division.

From the start, it

aimed to find

solutions

to

FIGHT TEST CENTER

ISRAELI

The Israeli Fight Te s t Center is the subject of the first in

a new series of features examining military flight test

establishments around the world. Noam Menashe

takes a look at this secretive unit.

respect: not only does it conduct

decided the air force required an

The

a

B

Above: As tradition dictates, the Center’s F-15I Ra’am 201 (c/n 1276/I001, FMS 94-0286) was

the very fi rst example of the type built for the IAF, and is customised to its specifi cations.

Right: A test pilot boards the Flight Test Center F-15I at Tel Nof. One of the tasks of the unit’s

F-15s is launching Ankor ballistic missile simulators, which simulate the trajectory of a ‘Scud’

or other ballistic missile en route to attack Israel. All photos, Noam Menashe unless stated

72 // SEPTEMBER 2017 #354 http://www.airforcesmonthly.com

FLIGHT TEST FOCUS