Vidsel Test Range

Vidsel Test Range
Near Vidsel in Sweden
An old target missile (RB 02) displayed at the entrance to the Vidsel Test Range
Coordinates	65°52′50.3″N 20°6′59.5″E
Type	Aerospace (military/civil)
Site information
Operator	Swedish Defence Materiel Administration
Status	Active
Site history
In use	1958–present

Vidsel Test Range is a Swedish strategic national test and evaluation asset operated by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), a part of the Swedish Ministry of Defence, near Vidsel.

A US M142 HIMARS fires a missile at Vidsel during an exercise.

Physical attributes

Vidsel Test Range is located in the north of Sweden, in a region with an extremely low population and little air-traffic.

Restricted airspace

Vidsel Test Range has a permanently restricted airspace, called R02 in the Swedish system.

It covers the suspended ground space and is 7,200 km² in size, with GND/UNL altitude restriction.

Suspended ground-space

Vidsel Test Range has a 3,300 km² large ground area, that is prohibited to enter for non-authorized personnel.

1,600 km² is the original test area established 1958, and is suspended year-around.
1,700 km² (divided in one 1600 km² and one 100 km² part) is only used and suspended when special demands calls for a larger area. The extended range can be used Sept-Jun.

Local impacts

There are uncertainties and critique regarding negative impacts for the local environment and population, including the indigenous population of Sámi people and their herding of reindeers.

See also

• Vidsel Air Base
• North European Aerospace Test range

References

"Vidsel Range Order", ed 1.1, Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), 2009

• "When the Land Became a Testing Range", Uppsala University

External links

• Vidsel Test Range web site
• Vidsel Test Range on the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration website