New NAWCAD Cyber Range Facility Opens to Boost Aircraft Cybersecurity

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division has opened a new National Cyber Range facility to provide a secure virtual environment for technology developers to test solutions for cyber vulnerabilities. 

According to the Naval Air Systems Command, the new facility, located at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, will focus on cyber testing and training programs involving aircraft and their supporting technologies and subsystems. 

The Maryland facility, the fourth in the NAWCAD National Cyber Range Complex, boosts the Department of Defense’s cyber testing and training capacity, while also reducing the required testing time for digital resiliency, NAVAIR said.

Steve Cricchi, executive director of NAWCAD, said the new cyber range will contribute to securing and strengthening the U.S. Navy’s future flight lines and air wings. It is a “wide-reaching investment” for warfighters’ protection against enemies’ growing cyber threats, he added.      

Each of the other NCR facilities has primary focus areas, with the one in Eglin, Florida, serving the U.S. Air Force.

The NCR facility in Charleston, South Carolina, is devoted to sea-based technologies for ships and submarines, while the Orlando, Florida, unit provides support to the DOD’s operational mission force training.