Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD: The Navy’s Strike Planning and Execution program (PMA-281) and Aerial Targets program (PMA-208) recently partnered with Shield AI to integrate autonomy and artificial intelligence software into the BQM-177A sub-sonic aerial target, marking a significant milestone in furthering autonomous systems for real-world applications in naval aviation. The Navy...
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NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, MD: The U.S. Navy awarded a $24 million contract to BAE Systems for the continued redesign of the AN/UPX-50(C) digital interrogator assemblies. The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract is a modification to a previously issued basic ordering agreement to address parts obsolescence and implement solutions to achieve compliance with the latest...
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By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach: Lieutenant Ruthie Hornbuckle, a native of Leonardtown, Maryland, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM-50). Hornbuckle graduated from Leonardtown High School in 2015. Hornbuckle graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2019 with a degree in operations research. Hornbuckle joined the Navy...
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Communities surrounding Naval Air Station Patuxent River are advised that noise-generating testing events are scheduled to take place Aug. 22 – Sept. 6, 2024 from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.Pilots at NAS PAX will be conducting Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs). FCLPs are simulated carrier landings conducted to prepare the pilot to land safely...
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The Navy recently installed the world’s first Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), where Air Vehicle Pilots (AVPs) will control future MQ-25™ Stingray airborne operations. This major installation was a multi-year effort coordinated across multiple ship availability periods and the ship’s deployment schedule. The CVN-based control room, known...
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Presidential Helicopters Program Office (PMA-274) and the Marine Corps accepted delivery of the final VH-92A helicopter, built by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, in August. The achievement signifies the completion of the program of record to deliver 23 new presidential helicopters in support of the executive lift mission. The total inventory of 23 VH-92A...
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Pax River Gate 1, Webster Field Main Gate Maintenance Friday, Aug. 16 – NAS Patuxent River will close Gate 1 on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 from 9-10:30 a.m. for scheduled maintenance. NAS Pax River’s Gate 2 will keep three lanes open for inbound traffic during that time. Webster Field’s Main Gate will close on...
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NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD.: Delivering outcomes that matter to the warfighter takes an environment of engagement and partnership created by both naval aviation and small businesses, according to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Deputy Commander Tom Rudowsky. Rudowsky spoke to more than 100 local small business representatives at the Small Business...
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NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, MD: NAVAIR’s Security Cooperation Office (SSCO) International Programs Junior Personnel Development Program celebrates its ninth year on National Intern Day, July 25. Since its conception in 2015, the NAVAIR SSCO program has flourished into a robust initiative. Starting with a singular intern in its first year, it now...
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NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD: A retired and demilitarized AV-8B Harrier II+ was inducted into the Hickory Aviation Museum in the “First in Flight” state of North Carolina on July 15, 2024. This aircraft, BUNO 164560, entered service in 1994 and flew with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 231, 542, and 223, logging...
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NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD: The U.S. Navy awarded the Phoenix Air Group Inc. a $165 million contract June 28 for Contracted Air Services (CAS) flight hours to simulate a variety of airborne electronic warfare (EW) threats to train, test and evaluate shipboard personnel and aircraft squadron weapon systems operators and aircrew....
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NAS Patuxent River will observe holiday routine July 4 for the Independence Day holiday. Pax River’s Gate 1 will be open 24/7, while Gates 2 and 3 will be closed that day. Pax River will observe a modified holiday routine for July 5; Gate 1 remains open 24/7, Gate 2 will be open from...
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HEADQUARTERS, NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD.: “I always had the desire to serve and serve something bigger, larger than myself,” said special agent Russ Lee, executive director, Office of Special Investigations (OSI), Office of Special Projects and security director, Department of the Air Force Special Access Program, as the featured guest speaker...
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Communities surrounding NAS Patuxent River are advised that noise-generating testing events are scheduled to take place through July 9, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Residents may notice increased noise levels due to these operations. Pilots at NAS PAX will be conducting Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs). FCLPs are simulated carrier landings conducted...
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Story by NAWCAD Visual Information – Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division: The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) held a graduation ceremony for Class 164 on June 14. Thirty-four students successfully completed the intense 11-month course of instruction and earned their designations as Engineering Test Pilots, Engineering Test Flight Officers, or Test Project...
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The stars were out for over 200 attendees May 29 at the Naval Aviation 3-Star Summit in Lexington Park, Maryland. The evening’s theme was “Advancing Naval Aviation Readiness for the High-End Fight.” The event marked the first-time leaders of the Naval Aviation Enterprise, including NAVAIR Commander, Vice Adm. Carl “Chebs” Chebi; Commander, Naval Air...
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Effective Wednesday, June 5, 2024, NAS Patuxent River NAS Patuxent River will open Gate 2 to traffic starting at 5:30 a.m. Non-commercial vehicle traffic will also be able to utilize the Commercial Vehicle Inspection (CVIS) lane at Gate 1 during high traffic hours of 6 a.m.-9 a.m. Sentries at the CVIS lane will be...
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NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD: The Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) team recently won the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Edward H. Heinemann Award for implementing a critical design change to the NGJ-MB pod by removing the Aft Pivot Assembly (APA) from the pod design, saving millions of dollars and hundreds of...
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Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) recognized individuals and teams who made significant contributions to the command’s mission during the annual Honorary Awards ceremony hosted at College of Southern Maryland’s Velocity Center in Indian Head, Maryland, May 14. “This is a day to take the time to recognize how far you’ve...
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The Navy’s Future Vertical Lift (Maritime Strike) (FVL (MS)) program recently completed its Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), culminating in a Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (DCNO) for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities (N9) “Gate 2” Resources and Requirements Review Board (R3B). The board unanimously endorsed the results of the AoA and directed the program to...
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Release and all photos taken by and thanks to Whelen, NASCAR, and Richard Childress Racing: We were extremely proud and honored to bring so many to our booth for the unveiling of the special paint scheme for the No. 2 Whelen Chevy Camaro honoring 226 firefighters who died in the line of duty, and...
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The Department of the Navy and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3, with concurrence from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), are beginning a Five-Year Review of existing Record of Decision (ROD) documents and ongoing remedial (environmental cleanup) actions at the Webster Outlying Field in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, and completed...
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St. Mary’s County Government recognized Cpl. Marc Villaruel for his exceptional work as a Department of Defense Police Officer at NAS Patuxent River at the St. Mary’s Law Enforcement Appreciation Day May 7. The event recognized the contributions of law enforcement officers at local, state, and federal offices within St. Mary’s County, and included...
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U.S. Marines flying a CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter transported an F-35C Lightning II airframe from the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Patuxent River (Pax ITF) to a Navy unit located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, April 24. A Marine aircrew from Marine Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) flew the most powerful...
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Memorial Day: A Day to Remember the Fallen
Monday, May 27, 2024, is Memorial Day. This day is a national holiday, for remembering and honoring men and women, who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Waterloo, New York, was declared the official birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966. The holiday had many origins,...
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