Official VX-9 Det Edwards F-35C Shoulder Patch — Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 9 Detachment Edwards Embroidered Patch
Where the Lightning gets tested — VX-9's F-35C detachment at Edwards.
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 9 (VX-9), "The Vampires," is the United States Navy's premier operational test and evaluation squadron, responsible for testing new aircraft, weapons, and tactics before they enter fleet service. This patch represents VX-9's detachment at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where the squadron conducts flight testing on the F-35C Lightning II — the Navy's fifth-generation stealth carrier-based strike fighter. Edwards AFB is one of the world's most famous flight test centers, and VX-9's presence there underscores the critical importance of thoroughly testing the F-35C before it reaches carrier air wings.
The F-35C Lightning II represents the future of naval carrier aviation, combining stealth technology, advanced sensor fusion, and networked warfare capabilities in a single airframe. VX-9's Det Edwards team puts the F-35C through its paces, evaluating weapons integration, sensor performance, flight envelope characteristics, and tactical employment procedures in the demanding test environment of the Mojave Desert. Their work ensures that every F-35C capability that reaches the fleet has been rigorously validated and proven effective by the Navy's best test pilots and engineers.
Perfect For: VX-9 Vampires veterans and active-duty test personnel, F-35C Lightning II enthusiasts, Edwards AFB alumni, naval flight test professionals, and military patch collectors who value the elite world of operational test and evaluation.
Test the edge — VX-9 Det Edwards proves the Lightning.
