VX5

Air Development Squadron Five (VX-5), also known as "VX-5 Vampires," was a United States Navy Air Test and Evaluation Squadron established in 1950 at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California. The unit's mission was to develop and evaluate airborne weapons systems, tactics, and operational procedures for fleet use, with a particular focus on aviation ordnance and night/all-weather operations. In 1956, VX-5 relocated to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, where it played a critical role in testing new weapons, such as air-dropped munitions and guided missiles, during the Cold War era. In 1993, VX-5 merged with VX-4 to form VX-9, continuing its legacy of innovation and operational excellence within naval aviation.