The
VX-4 (AIRTEVRON 4) Evaluators
Dedicate this page to a former VX-4
Evaluator Pilot or Bluejacket.
Please see below.
The Squadron Duty Officer
(SDO), is the unit's contact point. They maintain unit rosters, help
old friends link up, coordinate with unit reunions, and gather unit
information. The
SDO List.
The Association is particularly interested in your Skyhawk related
information and photos, but will gladly accept information about all
eras of the unit. e-Mail the Association Webmaster.
AND we welcome "anyone with an interest" in the Skyhawk to JOIN The Skyhawk Association.
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Handle
Heritage
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The
original VX-4 came to life in 1950 at a base in New England, where it's
primary focus was the development of AEW systems. After moving to Pax
River the squadron disestablished in 1951.
The second VX-4 was commissioned at NAS
Point Mugu on 11 September 1952 & spent it's whole life
dedicated to the operational test and evaluation of fighter aircraft
and systems destined for fleet units. In April 1994 VX-4 was combined
with VX-5 from NAWC China Lake to form the VX-9 Vampires.
In it's 42 year history VX-4 had one
aim:- to subject new aircraft, systems and weapons to the type of
punishing service they could expect with fleet units. VX-4 found the
limits, ensured new systems met their promises and reported back to
NAVAIR as to which were worth expenditure on. As a result VX-4 was
primarily an operational unit, assigned a test role. Aircrew had to
keep up with Fleet requirements for carrier qualification, ACM and
more. In addition to deciding which kit was worth buying the unit wrote
manuals and developed tactics for systems prior to fleet introduction.
Being involved in evaluating all new
systems destined for the fleet meant that during it's life the squadron
operated almost every type of fighter aircraft the Navy has flown since
1952. The first F-14A arrived September(?) 1972, fresh from Naval Air
Test Centre evaluation. VX-4 carried out OPEVAL for the F-14A (in much
the same way that VX-9 is currently undertaking OPEVAL for the
F/A-18E/F), ensuring it was ready for the rigors of shipboard life and
developing, then writing the tactics and manuals that would cover not
only how it fought, but how it was maintained.
VX-4 then became involved in the
AIMVAL/ACEVAL tests of the late 1970's, which saw F-14As from VF-1 and
VF-2 deploy to Nellis AFB for several months of tests, flying against
F-5s and F-15s. The results helped forge US fighter fundamentals for
the 1980s and 90s and also provided vital data for the formulation of
requirements that would lead to development of the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
The Evaluators helped prove the
F-14/AWG-9/AIM-54 mix, ensuring it could meet it's promised
multi-target track and engagement requirements. A F-14A from VX-4 was
the aircraft that engaged six drones at various speeds and altitudes on
the 8th of June 1973. Pilot 'Smoke' Wilson and RIO Jack Hawver fired
six AIM-54's in 38 seconds. Despite one missile having an in flight
malfunction and a drone going off course the test was a success - four
drones were destroyed and another scored as a lethal miss. The F-14A
had passed it's toughest test, one that reduced the threat of the
Tomcat being cancelled, a very real threat at that time.
- Back to Table of Contents
Home Ports
Air Wings
Deployments
Aircraft
Commanding Officers
Assumed Command - - - - - Commanding Officer
- ca. 1956 - - - - - Capt. Gilkeson
- ca. 1965 - - - - - CDR Taylor
- ca. 1967 - - - - - CDR C.N. Perozzi
- Back to Table
of Contents
Events
Awards
Sources:
DEDICATION:
The Skyhawk Association is looking for a Pilot or
Bluejacket whose loss of life,
while assigned to VX-4, merits the
posthumous dedication of this web page:
Return To
The Navy Units Page
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