| Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1943 - Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Special flight test aircraft squadron |
| Garrison/HQ | NAS Patuxent River |
| Nickname(s) | Pioneers |
| Motto(s) | Does it First |
VX-1, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One, (AIRTEVRON ONE) is a United States Navy air test and evaluation squadron based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.
Operational aircraft are assigned to VX-1 including the P-8A Poseidon, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, MH-60R and MH-60S. Additionally, VX-1 provides test and evaluation support for aircraft such as the KC-130J Hercules, E-6B Mercury, MQ-8B Fire Scout, and MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. [1]
The squadron operated two specially equipped P-3 aircraft that were equipped to collect data from the large sonobuoy fields used by the Sonobuoy Missile Impact Location System (SMILS) which supported the Navy's fleet ballistic missile program testing. The aircraft modifications enabled the aircraft to receive and record more sonobuoys, had a special timing system and a data monitoring and quick look capability. The Air Force Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft could also operate with SMILS. [2] [3]
The principal mission of VX-1 is to test and evaluate airborne anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and maritime anti-surface warfare (SUW) weapon systems, airborne strategic weapon systems, as well as support systems, equipment and materials in an operational environment. The squadron also develops, reviews and disseminates new ASW/SUW tactics and procedures for fleet use.
VX-1 formed during WWII in response to the German submarines threat. The response by the United States was the commissioning of the Air Antisubmarine Commander Air Force, Atlantic Fleet, on 1 April 1943 at Quonset Point, Rhode Island.
The squadron left NAS Key West, Florida on or about 1 July 1973 when the squadron moved to its current home at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland.
Current Commanding Officer of VX-1 is Captain John Riley, an E-2D Naval Flight Officer and Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (CAEWWS) graduate. [4]
The Lockheed S-3 Viking is a four-crew, twin-engine turbofan-powered jet aircraft designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Corporation. Because of its characteristic sound, it was nicknamed the "War Hoover" after the vacuum cleaner brand.
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Naval Air Warfare Centers are research organizations within Naval Air Systems Command. The centers are grouped within the following divisions:
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VP-49 was a long-lived Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy, having held that designation for 45 years from 1948 to 1994. Its nickname was the Woodpeckers from 1973 to 1994. It was established as VP-19 on 1 February 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-19 on 1 October 1944, redesignated VP-19 on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) VP-MS-9 on 15 November 1946, redesignated VP-49 on 1 September 1948 and disestablished 1 March 1994.
Patrol Squadron 30 (VP-30) is a maritime patrol squadron of the United States Navy, established on 30 June 1960. It is based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida.
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Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 4 (VQ-4), nicknamed the Shadows, is a naval aviation squadron of the United States Navy based at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The squadron flies the Boeing E-6B Mercury airborne command post and communications relay aircraft. It is part of the U.S. Navy's TACAMO community, whose mission is to enable the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense to directly communicate with U.S. submarines, bombers, and missile silos during a nuclear war.
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The Missile Impact Location System or Missile Impact Locating System (MILS) is an ocean acoustic system designed to locate the impact position of test missile nose cones at the ocean's surface and then the position of the cone itself for recovery from the ocean bottom. The systems were installed in the missile test ranges managed by the U.S. Air Force.
