Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division

08/24/2026

Welcome, Lindsey and fair winds, Okun!

's rotary test squadron, the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron TWO ONE Blackjacks, hit 21 with Cmdr. Michael Lindsey stepping into his new role as commanding officer at altitude during an airborne change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

Lindsey takes the helm after serving as HX-21’s chief test pilot, bringing more than 1,700 flight hours and extensive experience in rotary-wing, tiltrotor, and unmanned aviation testing. He succeeds Lt. Col. Aaron Okun, who will serve as executive officer with the Marine Aviation Detachment at NAS Pax River.

From concept to cockpit, the HX-21 Blackjacks execute the critical flight tests that turn advanced rotary-wing technology into fleet readiness.

More on Lindsey and Okun: https://bit.ly/4hS3ao5

08/10/2026

08/06/2026

Modern warplanes rely on advanced fiber optics as their digital nervous system. If these lines sever, the aircraft is grounded and the warfighter is sidelined.

Historically, relying on a single industry partner created a critical supply chain bottleneck. is working to eliminate that vulnerability.

By bringing a rigorous, standardized certification process directly to the flightline, NAWCAD engineers have quadrupled the Navy’s internal fiber repair capability. This tactical breakthrough keeps critical platforms — including the F-35, F/A-18, EA-18G, P-8A, MQ-4C, and E-2D — mission-ready without commercial delays.

To outpace tomorrow's threats, NAWCAD's new Fiber Research and Development Lab is already securing next-generation digital survivability for the fleet.

More on the Navy's in-house fiber optic repair capability: https://bit.ly/45MtGry

08/04/2026

After a record-breaking 326-day deployment covering 86,000 miles, Carrier Strike Group 12 leadership visited Lakehurst to recognize the critical shore-to-ship integration that powered a historic deployment that took USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) from South America to the Middle East. NAWCAD’s 24/7 technical support and continuous development of EMALS and AAG systems enabled the successful launch and recovery of 11,000+ fixed-wing sorties. Warfighting excellence at sea requires relentless support from the shore.

More on the visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/570574/ford-carrier-strike-group-visit-underscores-lakehursts-enduring-partnership-with-fleet

08/03/2026

07/27/2026

From the drawing board to the flightline at speed.

’s Aircraft Prototype Systems Division is naval aviation's in-house, one-stop shop for rapid aviation engineering and fabrication. Operating at NAS Patuxent River, the fully certified aerospace lab designs, builds, and installs aircraft-grade hardware that meets the highest safety standards without the long lead times.

The team's rapid-response capability directly impacts the fight by turning urgent requirements into operational reality in as little as 30 days. From manufacturing critical crew-safety upgrades for fleet squadrons or integrating next-generation communication systems into existing fleet technology, delivers the custom hardware warfighters need to stay in the fight.

Watch to see how we turn concepts into combat capability.

07/21/2026

When flying 18 inches apart at 700 mph, visibility that is "good enough" can be a single-point failure.

When a discontinued visor vendor threatened cockpit clarity and flight safety, 's Vision Lab stepped up. The team spent over a year researching, prototyping, and ballistically testing a next-generation visor designed to eliminate color shifting and keep tactical displays razor-sharp.

The results are in the cockpit. Tested for the extremes, authorized for the fleet, and now flying with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

07/17/2026

For over 80 years, the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School has been training the best pilots in the world to evaluate aircraft and weapon systems used by the , with some of those test pilots going on to have historically significant careers—including reaching for the stars as with NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

On this , read about the 's rich history in the Naval Aviation News special 2025 Year in Review edition, available at https://navalaviationnews.navy.mil/