K-12 Student Contest For Southern Maryland Schools

The U.S. Navy is letting students all across the Southern Maryland region that it’s looking for their creativity and innovative spirit to design the next great jet for Naval Aviation.

This inaugural competition is being held by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). The Navy’s Next Jet Competition launches on September 4 and students from K-12th grades are invited (and encouraged!) to submit their imaginative and futuristic jet designs for a chance to win a tour of a NAWCAD squadron, meet the pilots, and experience Naval Aviation up close and personal. The top designs will be featured on display at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. All Navy’s Next Jet Final designs are due by October 15.

Competition judge and NAWCAD Commander, Rear Adm. John Dougherty IV said, “The aviation pros of Southern Maryland are the foundation of what makes America’s Navy the most capable and dominant force in the skies. The Navy’s Next Jet Competition builds up our community’s next generation of aviation excellence.”

NAWCAD is hosting the competition in collaboration with the Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft, the responsible office for procurement of the Navy’s and Marine Corps’ fleet of tactical aircraft and support equipment.

Southern Maryland includes the St. Mary’s, Charles, and Calvert counties. NAWCAD is based in Patuxent River and employs more than 17,000 military, civilian, and contract personnel in operating laboratories, test ranges, and aircraft to support research, development, testing, evaluation and sustainment of everything flown by the Navy and Marine Corps.

FMI:  www.navair.navy.mil/