UAV flights may occur at night now until to Oct. 3 testing on base

Tom Horton, NSWC Dahlgren test engineer, prepares a ScanEagle UAV for flight. The ScanEagle flies by an onboard autopilot using commands sent from an operator and uses a wing hook to catch the arresting rope for recovery on the Potomac River Test Range. Weighing about 40 pounds, ScanEagle is five feet long and has a wingspan just over 10 feet. It can safely fly up to 19,500 feet at a cruising speed of 50 knots.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division will conduct unmanned air vehicle (UAV) flights over the Potomac River Test Range, on-going currently until to Oct. 3.

The UAV flights may occur at night during the three days of testing.

NSWC Dahlgren engineers may fire blank ammunition from vessels on the river during daylight hours.

For additional information, please go to the Potomac River Test Range website at http:⁄⁄www.nswc.navy.mil⁄RANGE. The Web site provides daily information about the operation and scheduling of activities at the Potomac River Test Range and the Explosive Experimental Area (Pumpkin Neck).