Scientific Development Squadron 1 (VXS-1) is a

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

military support squadron that conducts numerous single-aircraft deployments around the world in support of a wide range of airborne research projects for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, United States Navy, U.S. Government, and its contracting agencies.

Mission statement

''"Scientific Development Squadron (VXS) 1 conducts airborne scientific experimentation and advanced technology development in worldwide operations supporting U.S. Navy and national science and technology (S&T) priorities and war fighting goals. Supporting broadly based, multidisciplinary programs across the full spectrum of scientific research and applied technologies, our focus is toward the maritime application of new and improved airborne data collection techniques, experimental equipment, and system demonstration. While directly supporting scientific programs across the globe, we ensure that our work environment provides for the learning, personal growth, and respect of all our men and women and their families."''

History

Formerly known as Flight Support Detachment, VXS-1 was established 13 December 2004, as commissioned by the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Notice 5450.

Fleet Operations

Scientific Development Squadron ONE (VXS-1) Twin Otter Aircraft (UV-18)

Manned by Navy officers, enlisted sailors and government and private civilian personnel, the squadron is responsible for the maintenance and security of three uniquely configured NP-3C Orion turboprop research aircraft, a Beechcraft RC-12M Guardrail aircraft, and numerous TigerShark

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which includes adding a ground-based controlle ...

(UAVs). In 2019 VXS-1 acquired a

UV-18 Twin Otter The de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada, which produced the aircraft from 1965 to 1988; Viking Air purchased the type certificate, then restarted ...

aircraft, the military equivalent of the DeHavilland DHC-6 – a high-wing, unpressurized twin engine turbine powered aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear. Scientific_Development_Squadron_(VXS)_Beechcraft_(RC-12M)

Scientific_Development_Squadron_(VXS)_Beechcraft_(RC-12M)

Located on board the

Naval Air Station Patuxent River Naval Air Station Patuxent River , also known as NAS Pax River, is a United States naval air station located in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of the Patuxent River. It is home to Headquarters, Naval Air Sys ...

, Maryland, VXS-1 is responsible for the training, qualifications, and proficiency of all assigned personnel, as well as the maintenance of the research aircraft, and detachment coordination.

Missions

2004 – The Detachment supported the Antarctic Sea Ice Campaign, flying missions in and around what was formerly known as the Palmer Peninsula on the

Antarctic The Antarctic ( or , American English also or ; commonly ) is a polar region around Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica, the Kerguelen Plateau and other ...

continent. The mission purpose was the evaluation of

spatial variability Spatial variability occurs when a quantity that is measured at different spatial locations exhibits values that differ across the locations. Spatial variability can be assessed using spatial descriptive statistics such as the range. Let us supp ...

to fully assess how accurately sea ice parameters can be derived based on a study of new ice

emissivity The emissivity of the surface of a material is its effectiveness in emitting energy as thermal radiation. Thermal radiation is electromagnetic radiation that most commonly includes both visible radiation (light) and infrared radiation, which is n ...

, heat, and salinity fluxes over coastal waters and a determination of precise locations of ice edges. 2006 – VXS-1 flew the "Rampant Lion I" survey conducted by

Naval Research Laboratory The United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is the corporate research laboratory for the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. It was founded in 1923 and conducts basic scientific research, applied research, technological ...

and

U.S. Geological Survey The United States Geological Survey (USGS), formerly simply known as the Geological Survey, is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and ...

scientists as part of an integrated

remote sensing Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon without making physical contact with the object, in contrast to in situ or on-site observation. The term is applied especially to acquiring information about Earth ...

survey, mapping approximately two-thirds of the country of

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...

. 2008 – The team flew "Rampant Lion II". Built on data obtained in 2006, the team's modified NP-3D Orion aircraft assisted scientists with a dual focus – developing advanced

geospatial Geographic data and information is defined in the ISO/TC 211 series of standards as data and information having an implicit or explicit association with a location relative to Earth (a geographic location or geographic position). It is also call ...

collection; and analysis techniques to support the warfighter and economic infrastructure development in Afghanistan.

References

External links

VXS-1 (Naval Research Laboratory)

{{DEFAULTSORT:VXS-1 Test squadrons of the United States Navy St. Mary's County, Maryland