Naval Air Systems Command
The Naval Air Systems Command, or NAVAIR, is one of five systems commands (SYSCOM) of the United States Navy. They provide materiel support for naval aircraft and airborne weapon systems, such as guided missiles. NAVAIR was established in 1966 as the successor to the Navy's Bureau of Naval Weapons (BuWeps).
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NAVAIR Locations
NAVAIR Headquarters is located at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in southern Maryland. Ten NAVAIR locations exist, with eight U.S. locations from coast to coast, and two international locations. These are:
- Patuxent River, Maryland: Aircraft & Systems Development, Test, and Evaluation; Test Ranges [1]
- Lakehurst, New Jersey: Support Equipment, Aircraft Launch & Recovery Equipment [2]
- Orlando, Florida: Training Systems, Instructional Systems [3]
- China Lake, California: Weapons and Systems Development, Energetics, Test Ranges [4]
- Point Mugu, California: Weapons Test and Evaluation, Targets, Test Ranges [5]
- Cherry Point, North Carolina: In-Service Support Center, Vertical Lift Center of Excellence [8]
- Jacksonville, Florida: In-Service Engineering, Repair and Modification Services [9]
Program Executive Officers (PEO)
NAVAIR is a Competency Aligned Organization (CAO) headed by a three star Admiral (Vice Admiral) that provides support as needed to the major program offices under PEO oversight. Major Acquisition Program oversight chain is the responsibility of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition (ASN RD&A) who has three PEOs in direct report status with program offices grouped by mission area under them. Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a unique situation in which has PEO status and alternates service lead and reporting relationship to the opposing service. Naval Aviation PEOs are:
- Program Executive Officer, Tactical Programs (PEO T)
- Program Executive Officer, Assault and ASW Programs (PEO A)
- Program Executive Officer, Weapons and Unmanned Vehicles (PEO W)
- Program Executive Officer, Joint Strike Fighter
NAVAIR is part of the Naval Aviation Enterprise triad model currently headed by the Commander Naval Air Force (CNAF) and supported by the OPNAV Director, Naval Air Warfare.
