Naval Air Station Patuxent River

Naval Air Station Patuxent River, located in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, was commissioned on April 1, 1943, to centralize U.S. Navy aviation testing during World War II. The station quickly became a hub for flight testing, evaluation, and development of naval aircraft and weapons. Over the decades, NAS Patuxent River has played a vital role in advancing naval aviation technology, including supporting the testing of the F/A-18 Hornet and the development of unmanned aerial systems. Today, it remains a premier site for research, development, testing, and evaluation, supporting the U.S. Navy’s mission worldwide.