Although formed in 1978, Manat may have its origins in a flight test unit established as early as March 1950.

The squadron operates a fully instrumented example of every Israeli Air Force frontline combat aircraft type on strength at any time.

[3] Manat has 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.

[6] The squadron 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.