The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum celebrated it 30th anniversary Saturday. An exhibit, Test Team, provided an inside/outside look at how aircraft are tested. The outside exhibit included an actual test aircraft, test models, and artifacts related to the development of naval aircraft.
Inside exhibits featured audio-visual and “hands-on” displays that provided visitors with an overview of the technical processes for testing aeronautical systems and components. Displays included flight test instrumentation; a sonobuoy exhibit; The Great Model Collection; a propulsion exhibit with reciprocating, turboprop and turbojet engine; and an exhibit of unmanned aircraft, featuring a full-scale model of the proposed carrier-based Northrop Grumman X-47A UCAV.
The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum opened on July 8, 1978, and is one of the 12 official Navy museums located across the country. Programming includes nautical and aviation activities for children of all ages and museum tours.
For information about the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, (301) 863-7418.
