The GSI UNILAC was upgraded as a high current injector for the heavy ion synchrotron SIS in 1999 [1]. During that time a versatile beam diagnostics test bench served for commissioning after each acceleration and transport section. After completion of the new linac, beam measurements have been carried out along the UNILAC at selected positions. The effects of high space charge forces could be analyzed. The beam emittance along the linac, the influence of the gas and foil strippers on beam quality, and emittance measurements at various beam energies (0.002 to 11.4 MeV/u) will be reported. Multiparticle simulations were performed and compared with beam measurements.

For the future Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) at Darmstadt the present GSIaccelerator complex, consisting of the linear accelerator UNILAC and the heavy ion synchrotron SIS 18, is foreseen to serve as U 28+

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