VX-20: Improving aircraft for the fleet

Wings of Gold, Summer 2002

Wings of Gold Feature

VX-20 is a Navy and Marine Corps developmental test and evaluation squadron home based at NAS Patuxent River, MD. The squadron's mission is "Full Spectrum Developmental Flight Test for the Fleet Warfighter". This involves the testing of new aircraft and systems being procured for the Navy as well as systems that have already been acquired and are currently serving in the Fleet.

Formerly called the Naval Force Aircraft Test Squadron, VX-20 was redesignated Air Test and Evaluation Squadron TWO-ZERO in May 2002. It is a component command of NAVAIRSYSCOM and is a recognized center of expertise for total life cycle test and evaluation of the P-3 Orion, S-3 Viking, E-2 Hawkeye, C-2 Greyhound, C-130 Hercules, E-6 Mercury, T-6 Texan and the T-34 Turbo-Mentor aircraft.

The squadron's complement of active duty and civilian personnel numbers 460 and includes tests pilots and test naval flight officers, aeronautical engineering duty officers (many of whom are test pilots), a skilled staff of engineers and technicians, and U. S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and and civilian contractor support personnel. VX-- 20 is a busy place with a lot on its sizeable plate. It has a multitude of programs and a broad assortment of activities ongoing, not only in Maryland but in 14 states and several foreign countries. Some of these projects include E-2 Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) testing in Florida, E-- 6 Cockpit Upgrade Testing in Kansas and P-3 Digital MAD testing in Scotland.

The following are remarks derived from a Wings of Gold interview in April with CAPT Steve Eastburg, VX-20's Commanding Officer. CAPT Eastburg turned over command on June 281 to CDR Randal Black. CAPT Eastburg is now serving as NAVAIR's Director of Avionics Research and Engineering, (Air-4.5).

VX-20 is organized much like a composite Air Wing with platforms for each of the aircraft we fly Each of these "platforms" is organized much like a Fleet squadron. These platforms include the E-2/C-2; E-6; P-3/EP-3; S-- 3: T-34; C-130; the T-6 Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) and also Commercial Derivative Aircraft (CDA). Depending on the type aircraft, maintenance is provided by Navy or Marine Corps personnel (P-3 and KC-- 130J), DynCorp (KC-130F/Ts/S-3s), Northrop Grumman (E-2/C-2) and the Raytheon Company (T-34/T-6).

At VX-20 our customers include the various Program Managers in NAVAIRSYSCOM, the Naval Test Pilot School, the NAVAIR Science & Technology office, the Atlantic Test Ranges and Facilities, the Air Force, Army and Coast Guard as well as several different foreign militaries.

Among our main goals is providing "cradle to grave" support of assigned aircraft. VX-20 is thus involved from the prototyping and modification stage of an aircraft's life through developmental testing, operational test support, inservice engineering, the all encompassing Fleet support and even Foreign Military Sales (FMS).

To give you an idea of the nature of our work, the following is a snapshot of some of the projects we are currently supporting.

With respect to the E-2C Hawkeye, the "Eyes of the Fleet," we're testing the NP (New Propeller) 2000. Its most salient external features are the eight-- bladed, curved-tip propellers. The NP 2000 has a redesigned instrument panel compared to earlier E-2Cs, along with digital prop and engine controls. The NP 2000 should arrive in the Fleet beginning in late 2003.

For the current E-2Cs, we're testing the increased capability and more userfriendly color computers with their large square terminals, part of the Mission Computer Upgrade (MCU) and Advanced Control Indicator Set (ACIS) upgrade. These will well serve the three NFOs who labor in the fuselage section of the aircraft working the mission systems and functioning as air intercept officers for allied units in combat scenarios. This upgrade will enable the Hawkeye's mission commander to more readily "juggle all the balls" (of information) inherent in complex tactical situations germane to carrier battle group and related operations. The NFOs will be able to analyze information more quickly than in the past, enabling them to make correct, timely decisions. This system also enhances the E-2C's CEC, which is a key element in Network Centric Warfare (NCW), the overall tactical plan of action for Naval Aviation forces working in the context of carrier battle group and supporting unit operations.

The workhorse C-2 Greyhound is undergoing a major avionics upgrade which includes the Traffic Control Avoidance System (TCAS), designed to preclude close proximity encounters with other aircraft in flight, the Terrain Avoidance Warning System (TAWS), plus a new color weather radar. In addition, we're evaluating the ARC-210 Satellite Communications (SATCOM) radio for the C-2 and an improved fire warning system. The Greyhound is also in line to receive the same eight-bladed propellers, which will begin testing here at VX-20 in 2004.

There are 36 C-2s in the Fleet inventory and they are in the process of undergoing the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) which will improve some airframe structural issues in an attempt to increase the aircraft's service life.