Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 Fact Sheet

Check out fast facts on HX-21!

The mission of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two One (HX-21) is to execute developmental flight test and evaluation of rotary-wing and tilt-rotor aircraft, and their associated airborne systems in support of all United States Navy and Marine Corps training, combat, and combat support missions. The goal of HX-21 is to provide the highest quality evaluation and reporting in support of the aircraft program managers and the fleet warfighters. Exemplifying the Navy and Marine Corps' ethos, the pride and professionalism inherent in everything HX-21 does has established it as the "World's Greatest Test Squadron."

HX-21 History

Welcome to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two One (HX-21), a component command of Naval Test Wing Atlantic. The test and evaluation of rotary-wing aircraft by the United States Navy traces its beginning to the establishment of the rotary wing section of the flight test division at Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland, on April 25, 1949.  In 1975, the rotary-wing test section was renamed the Rotary Wing Test Directorate, and was formally established as an air test and evaluation squadron in 2002.  HX-21 continues to build upon its proud heritage conducting rotary-wing and tilt-rotor developmental flight test in support of U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard acquisition and fleet support programs.

In 2018, the squadron operated 33 aircraft of nine different Type/Model/Series. Seven of the programs the squadron supported were categorized as Major Defense Acquisition Category ONE programs (ACAT I). These programs were: V-22, UH-1Y, AH-1Z, CH-53K, MH-60R, and MH-60S.

In 2018, HX-21 executed 246 Chief of Naval Operations-directed test and evaluation (T&E) projects on nine different Type/Model/Series aircraft, totaling 1,215 sorties and 1,926.8 flight hours, and surpassing 123,586.9 total flight hours of Class "A" mishap-free flight operations.  HX-21 also executed 318 flight tests totaling 692.3 test hours and performed 8,500.0 hours of ground test.  Squadron test pilots logged 7,941 landings in squadron aircraft including 229 shipboard landings in support of multiple high risk suitability/compatibility tests.  In addition to 87 active duty Navy and

Marine Corps personnel, HX-21 also employs  38 government civilians and 353 contractors over seven different contracts.  In support of HX-21 T&E missions, DynCorp contract maintenance personnel performed 25,189 maintenance actions totaling 81,376.9 maintenance man-hours which included 4,272 maintenance actions and 13,544.5 maintenance man-hours in support of NAS Patuxent River Search and Rescue aircraft.

The success of HX-21 depends on mission-critical relationships with our key acquisition partners, including NAS Patuxent River, the Marine Aviation Detachment, NAVAIR competencies, our industry partners and the following program offices: Aircrew Systems (PMA-202), Aviation Training Systems (PMA-205), Air Combat Electronics (PMA-209), Naval Air Traffic Management Systems (PMA-213), Direct and Time Sensitive Strike (PMA-242), Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (PMA-251), H-53 and Executive Transport Helicopters (PMA-261), Air Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems (PMA-264), Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems (PMA-272), Presidential Helicopters Program (PMA-274), V-22 Osprey Program (PMA-275), H-1 Helicopter Program (PMA-276), Strike Planning and Execution (PMA-281), Multi-Mission Helicopters H-60 (PMA-299), and Mine Warfare (PMS-495).

HX-21 Points of Contact

HX-21 Duty Office: 301-342-1762 
HX-21 Administration Department: 301-342-4461
HX-21 Email: Administration Department

The mission of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two One (HX-21) is to execute developmental flight test and evaluation of rotary-wing and tilt-rotor aircraft, and their associated airborne systems in support of all United States Navy and Marine Corps training, combat, and combat support missions. The goal of HX-21 is to provide the highest quality evaluation and reporting in support of the aircraft program managers and the fleet warfighters. Exemplifying the Navy and Marine Corps' ethos, the pride and professionalism inherent in everything HX-21 does has established it as the "World's Greatest Test Squadron."

HX-21 History

Welcome to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two One (HX-21), a component command of Naval Test Wing Atlantic. The test and evaluation of rotary-wing aircraft by the United States Navy traces its beginning to the establishment of the rotary wing section of the flight test division at Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland, on April 25, 1949.  In 1975, the rotary-wing test section was renamed the Rotary Wing Test Directorate, and was formally established as an air test and evaluation squadron in 2002.  HX-21 continues to build upon its proud heritage conducting rotary-wing and tilt-rotor developmental flight test in support of U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard acquisition and fleet support programs.

In 2018, the squadron operated 33 aircraft of nine different Type/Model/Series. Seven of the programs the squadron supported were categorized as Major Defense Acquisition Category ONE programs (ACAT I). These programs were: V-22, UH-1Y, AH-1Z, CH-53K, MH-60R, and MH-60S.

In 2018, HX-21 executed 246 Chief of Naval Operations-directed test and evaluation (T&E) projects on nine different Type/Model/Series aircraft, totaling 1,215 sorties and 1,926.8 flight hours, and surpassing 123,586.9 total flight hours of Class "A" mishap-free flight operations.  HX-21 also executed 318 flight tests totaling 692.3 test hours and performed 8,500.0 hours of ground test.  Squadron test pilots logged 7,941 landings in squadron aircraft including 229 shipboard landings in support of multiple high risk suitability/compatibility tests.  In addition to 87 active duty Navy and

Marine Corps personnel, HX-21 also employs  38 government civilians and 353 contractors over seven different contracts.  In support of HX-21 T&E missions, DynCorp contract maintenance personnel performed 25,189 maintenance actions totaling 81,376.9 maintenance man-hours which included 4,272 maintenance actions and 13,544.5 maintenance man-hours in support of NAS Patuxent River Search and Rescue aircraft.

The success of HX-21 depends on mission-critical relationships with our key acquisition partners, including NAS Patuxent River, the Marine Aviation Detachment, NAVAIR competencies, our industry partners and the following program offices: Aircrew Systems (PMA-202), Aviation Training Systems (PMA-205), Air Combat Electronics (PMA-209), Naval Air Traffic Management Systems (PMA-213), Direct and Time Sensitive Strike (PMA-242), Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (PMA-251), H-53 and Executive Transport Helicopters (PMA-261), Air Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems (PMA-264), Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems (PMA-272), Presidential Helicopters Program (PMA-274), V-22 Osprey Program (PMA-275), H-1 Helicopter Program (PMA-276), Strike Planning and Execution (PMA-281), Multi-Mission Helicopters H-60 (PMA-299), and Mine Warfare (PMS-495).

HX-21 Points of Contact

HX-21 Duty Office: 301-342-1762 
HX-21 Administration Department: 301-342-4461
HX-21 Email: Administration Department