VX-30 BLOODHOUNDS DIVERSITY IN TEST

摘要

The US Navy's VX-30 Bloodhounds weapons test squadron at Point Mugu, California, is involved at the cutting edge of new technology and equipment. It is assigned to the Naval Test Wing Pacific and is a component of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD). The Bloodhounds' mission is to provide research, development, test, and evaluation of manned and unmanned fixed and rotary wing aircraft, as well as weapons systems to the US Navy and other entities within the Department of Defense. VX-30 is one of the most unusual squadrons in the navy due to the variety of tasks it performs and because it has 11 different departments spread across Point Mugu, which is part of Naval Base Ventura County. The unit has a diverse personnel make-up with some of the most junior Operational Specialist Seaman to the most seasoned naval test pilots, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officers, government civilian staff, including engineers and support personnel, and various contractors providing maintenance. The squadron is also critical in the continual operation of the Navy's Sea Range adjacent to the base. It is the world's largest instrumented over-water range, encompassing 220,000 miles~2 (569,797km~2), providing extensive test and training capabilities for the US Navy, Department of Defense and allied forces.