Vidsel
From Free net encyclopedia
Vidsel is a village in Älvsbyn Municipality, Norrbotten County, in northern Sweden; 619 inhabitants (2000). Perhaps its earliest history is as a seasonal settlement, but permanent inhabitants have lived here since the 19th century. The town was mainly founded in the 1950s, because of "Robotförsökplats Norr" (Missile Test Area North). This installation includes a military base of ca. 5,000 km², and a ca. 2,300 m runway. Because of its usage as a Swedish and European missile test site, this remote area is often listed in international weather forecasts and maps.
The site has been a test area for most Swedish flight developments, including Draken, Viggen and Gripen. New tests with EADS Phoenix and Eurofighter, as well as European military trainings, are planned for the future.