Notes: One of the first F/A-18F models delivered with APG-79 AESA radar.

Notes: One of the first F/A-18F models delivered with APG-79 AESA radar.

Notes: One of the first F/A-18F models delivered with APG-79 AESA radar.

Notes: First aircraft to trap on USS George Washington after 438 days of docked maintenance.

Notes: Touch and go on USS Enterprise after over one year of Extended Selected Restricted Availability.

Notes: Fy-by over USS Enterprise during sea trials, after over one year of Extended Selected Restricted Availability.

Notes: #120 with CAG colors flying off the Maryland coast. Note the radome probe and sensors.

Notes: #120 with CAG colors on approach to Pax River.

Notes: Low level pop-up through Panamint Valley.

Notes: #240 on approach to USS Ronald Reagan during FRS qualifications.

Notes: #400 being moved on the flight deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt during flight deck certification.

Notes: #107 makes first trap ever on USS Ronald Reagan, during the ship’s initial flight deck certification.

Notes: #107 readied for launch off the USS Ronald Reagan, during the ship’s initial flight deck certification.

Notes: #324 launches from the USS Ronald Reagan, during the ship’s initial flight deck certification.

Notes: #110 launches from the USS Ronald Reagan, during the ship’s initial flight deck certification.

Notes: #420 traps on USS Ronald Reagan, during the ship’s initial flight deck certification.

Notes: #420 traps on USS Ronald Reagan, during the ship’s initial flight deck certification.

Notes: With crew watching, #107 makes first trap ever on USS Ronald Reagan, during the ship’s initial flight deck certification.

Notes: #401 prepares to launch from USS Theodore Roosevelt, during flight deck certification.

Notes: Five MK-83 bombs released during an ATFLIR, adjacent stores, separation release test.

Notes: #201 flies chase on a surface launched Tactical Tomahawk Block IV test. The Tomahawk will be followed while it runs a 780 mile course, and impacts a ground target inland, on the China Lake Range.

Notes: A surface launched Tactical Tomahawk Block IV is photographed by a chase plane, while it runs a 780 mile course, and impacts a ground target inland, on the China Lake Range.

Notes: USMC Col. John D. Gumbel and Test Pilot Rich Bryan leave to deliver the last QF-4S from Naval Air Depot Cherry Point, to NAS Point Mugu for use as a target drone. Side number assigned by VX-30 at Point Mugu was #129.

Notes: #143 conducts AR with a KC-135 while participating in weapons tests with USS Porter, in Caribbean waters.

Notes: USNTPS #03 takes off from NAS Patuxent River.

Notes: USNTPS #03 retracts gear after taking off from NAS Patuxent River.

Notes: The X-31 VECTOR makes an automated 24 degree AOA landing, on its last flight of the Vectoring, Extremely Short Takeoff & Landing, Control & Tailless Operation Research, test program.

Notes: The X-31A is seen here making the world's first automated thrust-vector ESTOL landing. This is one of two X-31 aircraft that originally flew at NASA Dryden, between 1992 and 1995.

Notes: The X-31 does an extremely short takeoff and landing (ESTOL) test.

Notes: The X-31A returns to NAS Patuxent River after a test flight.

Notes: E2 made its first flight at Boeing St. Louis on 12/26/95. It was the second of the first seven production Super Hornets delivered, and arrived at Patuxent River to be tested by the 18E/F Integrated Test Team, on 2/19/96.

Notes: Flown by Lockheed Test Pilot Art "Turbo" Tomassetti, the X-35C prototype (JSF Navy Variant) arrives at NAS Patuxent River. The X-35C had 73 flights and 58 hours of flight time testing between 12/00 and 3/2001.

Notes: Carrying two test JDAMs.

Notes: A Hornet in NAWC-WD markings does a JSOW test release.

Notes: This Hornet carries an awesome load of 4 test JSOWs.

Notes: Launching an AGM-65E "Maverick".

Notes: Being loaded with SLAM-ER missiles for a test on the sea range.

Notes: Loaded with a single test SLAM-ER missile... Note the cameras in various locations.

Notes: This Hornet was supposedly a test bed for avionics testing in the 18E/F program. Any more info or photos?

Notes: F2, the second F/A-18F to be delivered to the USN, takes off on its 500th flight. F2 arrived at China Lake 4/98.

Notes: F4 was the first production F/A-18F to arrive at VX-9 for operational evaluation. Lt. Pete Matisoo of NWTSCL flew the aircraft with pre-painted VX-9 markings from Boeing St. Louis, with LCdr. Bill Hamilton flying chase.

Notes: Production Super Hornets F2 and E5 break over China Lake.

Notes: Production Super Hornets F2 and E5 fly over China Lake.

Notes: Production Super Hornet F2 flies over China Lake.

Notes: Production Super Hornets F2 and E5 fly over China Lake.

Notes: #201 wears the CO's scheme.

Notes: #200 wears the sharp looking CAG scheme for VX-31, and #201 wears the CO's scheme.

Notes: #200 wears the sharp looking CAG scheme for VX-31, and #201 wears the CO's scheme.

Notes: VX-31's F/A-18F #201 BuNo 165668, F/A-18E #200 BuNo 165536, F/A-18C #306, & TAV-8B #84 BuNo 163191 show off the diversity of aircraft in VX-31. Note that #84 was still wearing the JSF logo for its work on the X-35B program.

Notes: #201 wears the CO's scheme.

Notes: The NWTSCL scheme typically had "Weapons Test Squadron" along the bottom of the verticals, and "China Lake" on the top.

Notes: #100 wears the CAG scheme of the time. This jet was eventually upgraded to C model.

Notes: An AIM-9X missile test is conducted over the China Lake Range.

Notes: The X-35C JSF prototype conducts testing out of Edwards AFB, before eventually being taken to NAS Patuxent River for testing with the USN by VX-23.

Notes: Lockheed Martin Test Pilot Joe Sweeney flies the X-35C for the first time, from Lockheed Palmdale to Edwards AFB.

Notes: Landing at Edwards AFB... Lockheed Martin Test Pilot Joe Sweeney flies the X-35C for the first time, from Lockheed Palmdale to Edwards AFB.

Notes: #201 conducts AR over the Pacific Sea Range. #201 came from VFC-12 originally in 04, when VX-30 retired its F-14s and switched to F/A-18s.

Notes: #100 is the CAG Hornet of VX-30. Adversary stars were eventually applied to #100 to indicate VX-30s part time adversary mission.

Notes: #231 doing test drop of a GBU-10.

Notes: #143 wears the red & gray drone scheme, with teeth on the nose.

Notes: #143 wears the red & gray drone scheme.

Notes: #143 wears the red & gray drone scheme.

Notes: #122 was originally the #1 "Bunny" ship in the all black scheme, while with VX-4.

Notes: Flying off the coast near NAS Point Mugu.

Notes: After NWTSPM became VX-31, the unit adopted a new logo of three dogs. In the last couple years of the QF-4 drone program, numerous VX-30 Phantoms were given dog nicknames.