VX-1 Turns 80 - Celebrating 80 Years of Pioneer Pride

VX-1 Turns 80 - Celebrating 80 Years of Pioneer Pride

By LCDR Brian Miller, USN (Ret.)

The officers and men of VX-1 assembled for inspection. The squadron was evaluating the AN/AQS-4 dipping sonar. The Sikorsky HO4S was the preferred platform for this, but had significant performance issues while maintaining a prolonged hover. The HUP-1 was quickly eliminated due to ground resonance problems. The HRP proved successful only after it had its fabric skin removed to reduce weight at the cost of increased corrosion issues. VX-1 eventually chose the stripped down HRP over the HO4S

For those who may not know, VX-1 grew out of a Top Secret WWII project in Key West to solve the German U-boat problem off our own coastlines. They essentially started as an aviation detachment assigned to the larger program. The 2002 Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society’s Mark Starr recipient, CDR Stewart Graham, was a Coast Guard pilot who flew the first experimental dipping missions in a grossly underpowered helicopter. He wrote a fair amount about it, but to make a long story short, the capabilities that the MH-60R has today can be directly attributed to a lot of the work they did back then.

About the time this photo was taken, VX-1 identified the need for a dedicated ASW helicopter. This led directly to investments in engine technology that in turn led to the development of the H-3 (at least that is how Sikorsky tells it) in a relatively short period of time. The H-3, as many here know far better than myself, was the first purpose-built ASW aircraft that could dip and shoot from a single helicopter. Prior to that, the H-34, as I understand it, had to work in hunter-killer teams.

Today, based out of Patuxent River, MD, the VX-1 Pioneers continue to thrive and play an integral role in the testing, evaluation, and tactical application of numerous platforms, systems, and capabilities before they are fielded to the Fleet. In doing so, VX-1 has expanded its focus beyond just ASW, now applying expertise to the growth, evolution, and tempering of missions including Surface Warfare (SUW), Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Battle Management Command and Control (C2), logistics support, Search and Rescue (SAR), and Electronic Warfare (EW), just to name a few. VX-1 currently owns or works directly on capabilities for the E-2D Hawkeye, P-8A Poseidon, KC-130J Hercules, E-6B Mercury, MH-60S Knighthawk, MH-60R Seahawk, MQ-4C Triton, and MQ-8C Firescout. The squadron was established on April 1st, 1943.