On January 10, 2024, a U.S. Navy Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 F/A-18F performed an air-to-air refueling test with a German A400M Atlas aimed at expanding the flight envelope for the European transport and tanker aircraft.
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A U.S. Navy Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 F/A-18F performs an air-to-air refueling test with a German Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas (Picture source: U.S. Navy/Erik Hildebrandt, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division)

VX-23 is flying to clear the entire envelope for all NATO allies flying the A400M Atlas which will allow it to refuel American F/A-18 Hornet, Growler, and Harrier aircraft ultimately expanding the United States’ ability to operate its forces globally

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23) is NAVAIR's largest flight test organization. The squadron's mission is to support the RDT&E of fixed wing tactical aircraft by providing aircraft and pilot assets, maintenance services, safety oversight and facility support for these efforts. Primary areas of support include flying qualities and performance evaluations, shipboard suitability, propulsion system testing, tactical aircraft mission system testing, ordnance compatibility and ballistic efforts, reliability and maintainability assessments, flight fidelity simulation and flight control software development. The Squadron also provides Government Flight Representatives, test monitoring, chase aircraft support, and facilities for contractor demonstration, validation and development work involving tactical aircraft and associated systems.

The VX-23 workforce - officers (Navy, Marine Corps and foreign nationals), enlisted (Navy and Marine Corps), civilians and contractors - supports the aircraft maintenance, test planning and conduct, safety oversight and support of the squadron's F/A-18A-D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, T-45C Goshawk, and F-35B/C Lightning II aircraft.

The squadron conducts more than 3,000 flight operations annually, totaling approximately 4,400 flight hours, much of which involves high-risk flight test. VX-23 conducts operations, both shore-based and shipboard, locally at NAS Patuxent River and operates and maintains the TC-7 catapult and MK-7 arresting gear test sites.

A U.S. Navy Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 F/A-18F flying along a German Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas after air refueling  (Picture source: U.S. Navy/Erik Hildebrandt, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division)