VX-1

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.

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1
Active1943 - Present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
TypeSpecial flight test aircraft squadron
Garrison/HQNAS Patuxent River
Nickname(s)Pioneers
Motto(s)Does it First

Operations

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]

Mission statement

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.

History
A VX-1 P-8A Poseidon

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 on 15 September 1973 when the squadron moved to its current home at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland.

Commanding officer

Current Commanding Officer of VX-1 is Captain Gregory Sleppy, a former P-3 Orion pilot and United States Naval Test Pilot School graduate.[4]

See also

References
  1. "Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1". Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  2. Cone, Bruce E. (1 July 1976). The United States Air Force Eastern Test Range — Range Instrumentation Handbook (PDF). Patrick Air Force Base, Florida: Eastern Test Range, Directorate of Range Operations. p. 2-76. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  3. McIntyre, John W. (1991). "The Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft/Sonobuoy Missile Impact Locating System" (PDF). Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest. 12 (4). Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  4. "Commanding Officer Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One". Retrieved 10 August 2019.


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