Test Aircraft at NAS Patuxent River

Nigel Howarth June 27, 2016

P-8A Poseidon of VX-20

Credit: Nigel Howarth

MH-60R Seahawk of VX-20

Credit: Nigel Howarth

KC-130T Hercules of VX-20

Credit: Nigel Howarth

NP-3 Orion of Naval Research Laboratory

Credit: Nigel Howarth

SAAB 340A of Calspan

Credit: Nigel Howarth

NU-1B Otter of USN TPS - oldest aircraft in the Navy

Credit: Nigel Howarth

T-6 Texan II of USN TPS

Credit: Nigel Howarth

HC-130J Hercules of USCG Elizabeth City

Credit: Nigel Howarth

T-38 Talon of USN TPS

Credit: Nigel Howarth

F/A-18F Super Hornet of USN TPS

Credit: Nigel Howarth

C-38A Astra of VX-20

Credit: Nigel Howarth

A-330MRTT Voyager of Royal Air Force

Credit: Nigel Howarth

Temporarily based at Pax River for F-35 refuelling trials.

F-35B Lightning II of the Integrated Test Force

Credit: Nigel Howarth

Aviation Week spent a day by the runway at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, the Navy's premier base for test aircraft. Home to the F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF), the USN Test Pilot School and several other test squadrons.

Nigel Howarth

A computer programmer originally, with a background in various non-aviation sectors for blue chip companies, Nigel started as an aviation data analyst in 1999, with BACK Aviation Solutions and has been following all aspects of aviation for almost 40 years.