Naval Air Warfare Center[1][2] is a research organization withinNaval Air Systems Command to test and evaluate air warfare for the United States Navy. The center combines the following divisions:
The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD)[3] conducts research, development, test, evaluation and sustainment for allUnited States Navy andUnited States Marine Corps aircraft and aircraft systems. It operates a test wing and ranges,[4] facilities, laboratories[5] and aircraft in support of military operations worldwide.
NAWCAD employs military and civilian engineers, testers, scientists, and other professionals across four locations:Orlando, Florida;Lakehurst, New Jersey,St. Inigoes, Maryland and at its headquarters inPatuxent River, Maryland.[6][7] It is one of two naval air warfare centers, along withNaval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division,[8] that provides scientific[9] and technical support toNaval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).[10]
Naval Test Wing Atlantic[11] is made up of four test and evaluation squadrons. Based in Patuxent River, Maryland, the wing supports test and evaluation of aviation systems ranging from unmanned to rotary and fixed-wing aircraft and subsystems. It also provides aircrew, aircraft assets, maintenance support, operational and safety oversight, process and facility support for developmental flight and ground testing.
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two One (HX-21) supports rotary-wing and tilt-rotor aircraft, unmanned aerial systems and airborne systems, including theV-22,UH-1Y,AH-1Z,CH-53K,MH-60R, and MH-60S.
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Zero (VX-20) supportsC-2A,C-12M, C-38,E-2C/D,E 6B,C/KC-130J/T,MQ-4C,P-8A, andT-6A.
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23) supports fixed wing tactical aircraft, including theF/A-18 A/B/C/D andE/F,EA-18,T-45, andF-35B/C.[12]
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Four (UX-24) is the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ first dedicated test and evaluation squadron for unmanned aircraft systems,[13] including fielded platforms like the Wasp,RQ-11 Raven,RQ-20B Puma,RQ-21 Blackjack,MQ-8 Fire Scout, andGeneral Atomics MQ-9A Reaper.
TheU.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS)[14] trains military and civilian test pilots, flight officers and engineers in the test and evaluation of aircraft and aircraft systems. Located in Patuxent River, Maryland, it is the only U.S. source of rotary wing test pilots, and serves as the test pilot school for theU.S. Army.
USNTPS graduates two classes annually. The 11-month program includes 530 academic hours, 100 sorties and 120 flight hours. Its syllabus is divided into three parts: fixed-wing, rotary-wing and airborne systems. The school has also added test techniques for unmanned aviation systems.[15]
Its program has graduated over 90NASA astronauts and members of theOriginal Seven includingScott Carpenter,John Glenn,Wally Schirra, andAlan Shepard. It also graduatedNASA’s first African-American administrator,Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden, NASA twins[16]Scott andMark Kelly, andVice Adm. James Stockdale.
TheAtlantic Test Ranges[17][18] are instrumented test ranges providing support test and training for aircraft, aircrew and subsystems. The range features a telemetry center for real-time data transmission from up to nine separate in-flight aircraft to ground engineering personnel. The center manages over 2,700 square miles of restricted airspace including targets and airspace over the mid-Atlantic seaboard.