PATUXENT RIVER, Md., May 9, 2025 — The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) at Patuxent River is revitalizing its T-10 Test Cell Facility to enable advanced engine testing in a noise-suppressed environment, bolstering the Navy’s ability to maintain mission-ready aircraft. The project, a collaboration between the Common Aviation Support Equipment program office (PMA-260) and Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), aims to enhance engine testing capabilities through the Engine Test Instrumentation Replacement System (ETIRS).
The T-10 facility, dormant for over 10 years, is being restored to support ETIRS, a next-generation system designed to improve engine performance evaluations across various aircraft platforms. Once operational, T-10 will offer a controlled, weather-independent testing environment, reducing the Navy’s dependence on costly off-site evaluations and minimizing schedule disruptions. This upgrade ensures maintainers have reliable equipment for engine repairs directly on the flight line.
“The revitalization of the T-10 Test Cell Facility is a crucial step in reducing cost and schedule risk for the ETIRS program,” said Capt. Matt Wilcox, PMA-260 program manager. “As legacy engine test instrumentation systems become obsolete, our team remains committed to delivering this enhanced capability to Sailors and Marines without disrupting I-level engine maintenance operations.”
The initiative aligns with the Navy’s focus on modernizing aviation support equipment to streamline maintenance processes. T-10’s reactivation will serve as a force multiplier, enhancing support equipment acquisition and sustainment. The facility will optimize test and evaluation opportunities, ensuring efficient resource use and reliable equipment performance.
“By optimizing test and evaluation opportunities and ensuring efficient resource utilization, this strategic effort directly supports the program office’s goal to deliver our products on time, on cost, with proven functionality and reliability,” Wilcox said.
For intermediate-level maintainers, ETIRS will deliver faster and more accurate diagnostics at Navy Fleet Readiness Centers (Level II), Carrier Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Departments, and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadrons. This capability will ensure aircraft remain ready, reliable, and combat-effective, supporting the Navy’s mission to maintain a lethal and agile force.
The T-10 project underscores NAVAIR’s commitment to strengthening its propulsion community by investing in critical infrastructure. By bringing engine testing in-house, the Navy reduces logistical challenges and enhances operational efficiency. The facility’s controlled environment mitigates external variables like weather, allowing for consistent and precise testing outcomes.
This effort builds on the Navy’s broader strategy to modernize its aviation maintenance framework. The integration of ETIRS into T-10 will replace outdated instrumentation, addressing obsolescence while improving diagnostic accuracy. Maintainers will benefit from streamlined workflows, enabling quicker turnaround times for engine repairs and reducing aircraft downtime.
The collaboration between PMA-260 and NAVFAC highlights the Navy’s coordinated approach to infrastructure upgrades. By leveraging expertise across commands, the project ensures that T-10 meets the technical and operational needs of modern aircraft maintenance. The facility’s reactivation marks a significant step toward achieving maintenance readiness and supporting the Navy’s long-term aviation goals.
