NAVAL AIR TEST CENTER (NATC)

SERVICE TEST DIVISION

PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND

History

NATC's increased responsibility for development as well as testing was acknowledged as early as 1951. Rapidly advancing technology forced changes in test techniques and in the organizational structure. In 1953, the Tactical Test Division was merged with the Service Test Division. The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School was established in 1958. The Weapons Systems Test Division was established in 1960 through the consolidation of the Armament Test and Electronics Test divisions.

A sweeping reorganization took place in 1975, preparing NATC for its role as the Naval Air Systems Command's principal site for development testing. Under the plan, Flight Test, Service Test and Weapons Systems Test divisions were disestablished and new directorates were formed to evaluate aircraft by type and mission. The "new" NATC was comprised of Strike Aircraft, Antisubmarine Aircraft, Rotary Wing Aircraft and Systems Engineering Test directorates. The Computer Services and Technical Support directorates and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School remained intact.

In 1991, the Navy began consolidating its technical capabilities to improve its products and services, resulting in the creation of four large, warfare centers. Two Naval Air Warfare Centers were established to integrate sites and capabilities to improve services to the fleet and sponsors. One of these, the Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), located in Washington, D.C., has integrated sites and capabilities to improve services to the fleet and sponsors. NAWC streamlined its resources into two divisions: the Aircraft Division located at Patuxent River and the Weapons Division, at China Lake, Calif.

The standup of the NAWC Aircraft Division at Pax River took place on January 1, 1992. Thus began its role as the Navy's full spectrum research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E), engineering, and fleet support center for air platforms. The NAWC Aircraft Division integrated the Naval Air Test Center along with the Naval Air Development Center, Warminster, Pa.; Naval Air Engineering Center, Lakehurst, N.J.; Naval Air Propulsion Center, Trenton, N.J.; and the Naval Avionics Center, Indianapolis, Ind.

  NAS Patuxent River

  Patuxent River Naval Air Museum

  Naval Air Test Center Aircraft Photos

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