The U.S. Navy calls on students across the Southern Maryland region to draw on their innovation and creativity to design Naval Aviation’s next jet in an inaugural competition by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD).
NAVAIR personnel kicked off Tuesday at Sea-Air-Space Exposition 2026 with “Start with the Fleet: Readiness, Capability, Speed,” a panel led by NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. John E. Dougherty IV, who was joined by Rear Adm. Todd Evans, Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division and chief engineer with NAVAIR; Vice Commander Capt. Joseph Hidalgo, representing Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC); and Paul McGinty, director of the NAVAIR Rapid Capability Cell.
Dougherty began the panel by laying out NAVAIR’s highest priorities.
The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Webster Outlying Field’s (NAWCAD WOLF) Ship and Air Integrated Warfare (SAIW) division developed and is installing upgrades to aircraft carrier ready rooms across the Navy’s fleet of ships in support of the Strike Planning and Execution Systems program office (PMA-281).
Naval Air Systems Command honored Michelle Passfeld, Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems (ATC&LS) division’s Expeditionary and Range Systems branch head at Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Webster Outlying Field (NAWCAD WOLF), with the 2025 Supervisor of the Year Award for NAWCAD Jan. 21.
The Supervisor of the Year Award is presented to individuals who exhibit exceptional leadership, foster a positive work environment and achieve impactful results for the command and the warfighter.
The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) changed command during a ceremony at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. where Cmdr. Jacob King assumed leadership from Cmdr. Travis Hartman on Jan. 8.
Naval Test Wing Atlantic Commodore and Class 133 USNTPS alumnus Capt. Daniel Kitts presided over the ceremony.
The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) achieved a milestone in advancing F-35 Lightning II aircraft integration with the Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) during a recent tactical demonstration in its Joint Simulation Environment (JSE).
The event demonstrated how advanced modeling and simulation can develop tactics and strategies for fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35 operating with uncrewed combat systems.
The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) graduated its Class 167 during a ceremony near Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland on Dec. 12.
“As graduates of USNTPS, you are now part of an elite group of professionals who play a vital role in shaping the future of aviation,” said Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Commander and USNTPS Class 119 alum Rear Adm. Todd Evans, who keynoted the graduation ceremony. “Your work will ensure that the platforms we develop are safe, effective, and ready to meet the demands of our fellow military service members.”
U.S. Naval Test Pilot School Class 167 graduation, Dec. 12, 2025
Southern Maryland residents young and old should look skyward on Tuesday, Dec. 9, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET as Adm. Saint Nicholas takes to the air on his annual holiday readiness flight — now with an expanded route that includes additional regional schools.
The Navy recently selected four members of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Webster Outlying Field (NAWCAD WOLF) workforce for one of its flagship leadership development plans, the Journey Leadership Development Program (JLDP).
“Developing the next generation of leaders is one of the most important NAWCAD WOLF strategic imperatives,” said NAWCAD WOLF Executive Director, Blaine Summers. “This leadership program is one of the many ways the command is investing in its people.”
