Vidsel

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.