NAS Patuxent River
NAS Patuxent River
KNHK · NHK
1942-
Lexington Park, Patuxent River, Maryland
38.286098, -76.411697 · 25 feet
Patuxent River NAS (Trapnell Field), Pine Hill Technology Park, Cedar Cove, Saint Mary's County, Maryland, 20670, United States
Nearby Locations
| Km | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Mary's County Regional Airport | LTW | 12.5 | 285° |
| Patuxent Environmental Aquatic Research Laboratory helipad | MD59 | 14.6 | 326° |
| NESE Webster Field | KNUI | 15.4 | 187° |
 MedStar St. Mary's Hospital East heliport |
MD02 | 19.7 | 275° |
| MedStar St. Mary's Hospital heliport |
7MD5 | 19.9 | 275° |
| CalvertHealth Medical Center heliport |
0MD9 | 34.5 | 332° |
Located on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Naval Air Station Patuxent River, commonly known as “Pax River,” the base was established in 1943 during World War II as a major U.S. Navy flight testing center. Built on former farmland and fishing communities in southern Maryland, the installation quickly became one of the most important naval aviation research and development facilities in the United States. Over the decades, Pax River has played a central role in the testing and evaluation of countless naval aircraft programs, from early carrier-based piston aircraft to modern jets, helicopters, unmanned systems, and advanced weapons integration platforms.
Today, Pax River serves as the headquarters for major Navy and Marine Corps aviation test organizations, including the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and multiple air test squadrons such as Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21. Its mission focuses on flight testing, systems evaluation, aircraft integration, pilot training support, and the development of future naval aviation capabilities. The base is widely recognized as one of the world’s premier military aerospace testing centers, supporting programs such as the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, F-35 Lightning II, V-22 Osprey, and next-generation unmanned aviation systems.
Today, Pax River serves as the headquarters for major Navy and Marine Corps aviation test organizations, including the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and multiple air test squadrons such as Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21. Its mission focuses on flight testing, systems evaluation, aircraft integration, pilot training support, and the development of future naval aviation capabilities. The base is widely recognized as one of the world’s premier military aerospace testing centers, supporting programs such as the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, F-35 Lightning II, V-22 Osprey, and next-generation unmanned aviation systems.
Units
News
- Jul 20, 2021 · New Electronic Warfare System for Osprey
- Feb 8, 2021 · Test Pilots Pushing Boundaries
- Nov 3, 2020 · Pax River SAR Rescued Hawkeye Crew
- Aug 27, 2020 · FlightSafety Wins TH-73 Simulators Contract
- Jun 25, 2020 · CH-53K King Stallion First Time at Sea
- Jun 14, 2020 · RESET for Marines CH-53E Super Stallion
- Apr 23, 2020 · CH-53E KRACEn Contract for Erickson
- Apr 16, 2020 · First Ferry Flight for the COD CMV-22 Osprey
- Apr 15, 2020 · VX-20 Celebrates 45th anniversary
- Apr 13, 2020 · CH-53K Completed Air Refueling Tests
- Jan 5, 2020 · NAVAIR Increased Ospreys Operational Rate
- Dec 17, 2019 · Engine Integration Issues on CH-53K Resolved
- Dec 6, 2019 · CH-53K Active Training Controls by Stirling
- Oct 2, 2019 · Redesigned Gunner Seats for MH-60S Seahawks
- Jul 31, 2019 · Airbus Celebrates 10 Years of Navy’ Lakota
- Jul 13, 2019 · Osprey Test Aircraft Retired to Museum
- Jul 10, 2019 · Initial Operational Capability for MQ-8C Fire Scout
- Nov 19, 2018 · Marine One VH-92 First Time at the White House
- Jun 2, 2018 · Leonardo TH-119 Trainer at Pax River Expo
- Mar 21, 2018 · CH-53K Passed Demo Test
- Feb 6, 2018 · CH-53K Lifted a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)
- Jul 5, 2017 · CH-53K Arrived to PAX in First Cross Country Flight
- Apr 11, 2017 · MQ-8C Completes First Test Period Aboard LCS
- Aug 10, 2016 · Marines to Repair 147 CH-53E in 3 Years
- Jul 29, 2016 · Osprey First Flight with 3D Printed Parts
- Feb 3, 2016 · V-22 Osprey Navy Variant Known as CMV-22B
- Sep 29, 2015 · Calspan to Modify Black Hawk for USNTPS
- May 29, 2015 · Naval Sea King Helicopter Now at Pax Museum
- Feb 6, 2015 · NAVAIR Advances CH/MH-53E Inspection Efforts
- Mar 24, 2010 · USNTPS UH-72A Lakotas have arrived
- Jan 10, 2008 · VH-71 Begins U.S. Flight Testing
- May 9, 2006 · Marine AH-1Z and UH-1Y Start OPEVAL
- Mar 1, 2006 · AH-1Z/UH-1Y Complete Developmental Testing
- Jan 18, 2006 · Fire Scout completes First Autonomous Ship Landings
- Nov 18, 2005 · Last U.S. Navy Sea King Helicopter Delivered
- May 17, 2005 · AH-1Z/UH-1Y complete first sea trials
- Mar 19, 2003 · NAVAIR helps Coast Guard arm helos for new mission