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 base is home to several IAF helicopter and UAV squadrons, and serves as a rocket launch site for the Arrow missile.

Palmachim is also used to launch the Shavit space launch vehicle into retrograde orbit by launching over the Mediterranean, acting as Israel's primary spaceport. The launchpad is situated at 31.88444°N, 34.68028°W This ensures that rocket debris falls into water, and that the rocket does not fire over regional neighboring countries near Israel that could use the technology. Palmachim is also used to test ballistic missiles, such as the Jericho.

Recent launches include:
 * 11 June 2007 - Ofeq 7 satellite
 * 17 January 2008 - version of the Jericho III missile
 * 22 June 2010 - Ofeq 9 satellite
 * 2 November 2011 - version of the Jericho III missile

In July 2007, it was agreed that once Sde Dov Airport in Tel Aviv was closed, its military terminal would be transferred to Palmachim although Sde Dov Airport continues to operate.

Units

 * 124th Squadron – operating S-70
 * 151st Squadron (Missile Testing Squadron)
 * 160th Squadron – operating AH-1
 * 166th Squadron – operating Hermes 450 UAVs
 * 200th Squadron – operating Heron UAVs

Launch history


On 17 January 2008 Israel test fired a multi-stage ballistic missile believed to be of the Jericho III type, reportedly capable of carrying "conventional or non conventional warheads." On 2 November 2011, Israel successfully test fired a missile believed to be an upgraded version of the Jericho III; the long trail of smoke was seen throughout central Israel.