601 Squadron (Israel)
Encyclopedia
601 Squadron, also known in Israel as Manat , is the Israeli Air Force
unit responsible for flight and weapons testing, airframe modification and avionics integration.
Although formed in 1978, Manat may have its origins in a flight test unit established as early as March 1950. Based at Tel Nof
, Manat comprises a flight section, including test pilots and flight testing engineers, a technical section charged with aircraft maintenance, an avionics section, and a UAV section operating from Palmachim
. The squadron operates a fully instrumented example of every Israeli Air Force frontline combat aircraft type on strength at any time. It also operates a number of UAVs and will utilize helicopter and transport types from other squadrons when necessary.
Among the aircraft currently operated by Manat are four F-16 Fighting Falcon
s, representing the different variants of the aircraft in service: F-16C Block 30 301, F-16D Block 30 020, F-16D Block 40 601 and F-16I Block 52+ 401. F-16D 601, designated CK-1, was designed by Lockheed
to meet specific flight test requirements. Another aircraft operated by the squadron is F-15I 201 (94-0286), the very first F-15I built. Manat has also participated in the evaluation of foreign aircraft types, including the Syrian MiG-23 whose pilot defected to Israel in October 1989 and a pair of MiG-29s
loaned from a European air force in 1995. During its stay in Israel, one of the MiG-29s even carried the squadron emblem.
Manat works closely with Israel's defence industries and participates in product testing. Among the projects the squadron was involved with are the various Python missiles, the Popeye II
, and the Rafael Spice.
Israeli Air Force
The Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
unit responsible for flight and weapons testing, airframe modification and avionics integration.
Although formed in 1978, Manat may have its origins in a flight test unit established as early as March 1950. Based at Tel Nof
Tel Nof Airbase
Tel Nof Israeli Air Force , also known as Air Force Base 8, is one of three principal airbases of the Israeli Air Force. Tel Nof is located near Rehovot, Israel.-History:...
, Manat comprises a flight section, including test pilots and flight testing engineers, a technical section charged with aircraft maintenance, an avionics section, and a UAV section operating from Palmachim
Palmachim Airbase
Palmachim Air Force Base is an Israeli military facility and spaceport located near the cities of Rishon LeZion and Yavne on the Mediterranean Sea. It is named after nearby Kibbutz Palmachim on the Mediterranean shore....
. The squadron operates a fully instrumented example of every Israeli Air Force frontline combat aircraft type on strength at any time. It also operates a number of UAVs and will utilize helicopter and transport types from other squadrons when necessary.
Among the aircraft currently operated by Manat are four F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
s, representing the different variants of the aircraft in service: F-16C Block 30 301, F-16D Block 30 020, F-16D Block 40 601 and F-16I Block 52+ 401. F-16D 601, designated CK-1, was designed by Lockheed
Lockheed Corporation
The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:...
to meet specific flight test requirements. Another aircraft operated by the squadron is F-15I 201 (94-0286), the very first F-15I built. Manat has also participated in the evaluation of foreign aircraft types, including the Syrian MiG-23 whose pilot defected to Israel in October 1989 and a pair of MiG-29s
Mikoyan MiG-29
The Mikoyan MiG-29 is a fourth-generation jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union for an air superiority role. Developed in the 1970s by the Mikoyan design bureau, it entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983, and remains in use by the Russian Air Force as well as in many other...
loaned from a European air force in 1995. During its stay in Israel, one of the MiG-29s even carried the squadron emblem.
Manat works closely with Israel's defence industries and participates in product testing. Among the projects the squadron was involved with are the various Python missiles, the Popeye II
AGM-142 Have Nap
The Popeye is an air to ground missile developed and in use by Israel, of which several types have been developed for Israeli and export users. A substantially modified long range cruise missile variant of the Popeye Turbo is believed to be used to arm the Israeli submarine based nuclear forces...
, and the Rafael Spice.