← Back to Patuxent River NAS/Trapnell Field

Drone Rules for Patuxent River NAS/Trapnell Field

St. Mary's County, Maryland (MD) • United States
22268 Cedar Point Rd #409, Patuxent River, MD 20670, USA
Lat: 38.2817 • Lng: -76.4346

Rules Edit History: Patuxent River NAS/Trapnell Field

Showing changes between revisions.
Mapped shape change
Old outline is gray. New outline is blue.
May 30, 2026 9:35 AM Approved • Added Navy drone prohibition for NAS Patuxent River with NAWCAD classified test programs, R-4006 restricted airspace, and Chesapeake Bay test range.
Moderation feedback
Approved Confidence: 0.95
Your proposed edit detailing the drone restrictions at NAS Patuxent River has been approved. This aligns with Navy regulations prohibiting drone operations within the base's airspace and fence line. The added context regarding the Naval Air Warfare Center's classified test programs, Restricted Area R-4006, and the Chesapeake Bay test range enhances understanding of the area's drone flight considerations. The outline has been updated to accurately represent the restricted area.
Changed fields
Mapped shape change
Click to load this change into the shared map viewer here.
Field Before After
Rule category Air Ground
Summary FAA controlled airspace restriction. Review current FAA data and authorization requirements before flying. NAS Patuxent River is home to the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division and is the Navy's premier aircraft test and evaluation facility. All UAS operations are prohibited without DoD authorization.
Mapped shapes 346945aa-1222-4088-9ec9-70885cb4ff15 b0db78dd-a094-463e-b782-97bf51ce5b9c
Before
## FAA facility airspace restriction















            This area appears in FAA_FS_UAS source data. Drone pilots should verify current FAA requirements, LAANC availability, altitude limits, temporary restrictions, and local conditions before flight.


            This page is based on imported FAA data and may need additional community review.
After
## Drone Rules - NAS Patuxent River

**All UAS operations are prohibited** within NAS Patuxent River (KNHK) and adjacent restricted airspace. Classified and developmental aircraft systems operate here daily.

### Airspace / Site Context
- NAS Pax River (KNHK) Class D from surface with Restricted Area R-4006 to the south
- Washington SFRA extends north toward this installation
- Naval Air Warfare Center tests F-35, electronic warfare, and classified UAV programs
- Chesapeake Bay test range extends miles over water

### Key Rules
- No UAS without Navy/NAWCAD authorization; restricted area R-4006 is frequently hot
- Test flight corridors over the Chesapeake Bay require coordination with Pax River tower
- P-40 National Security Area influence zone requires enhanced security screening
- Maryland state law prohibits UAS over critical infrastructure

### Source
- NAS Patuxent River: https://www.navair.navy.mil/nawcad

Show inline change markers
+ 
+ **All UAS operations are prohibited** within NAS Patuxent River (KNHK) and adjacent restricted airspace. Classified and developmental aircraft systems operate here daily.
+ 
+ ### Airspace / Site Context
+ - NAS Pax River (KNHK) Class D from surface with Restricted Area R-4006 to the south
+ - Washington SFRA extends north toward this installation
+ - Naval Air Warfare Center tests F-35, electronic warfare, and classified UAV programs
+ - Chesapeake Bay test range extends miles over water
+ 
+ ### Key Rules
+ - No UAS without Navy/NAWCAD authorization; restricted area R-4006 is frequently hot
+ - Test flight corridors over the Chesapeake Bay require coordination with Pax River tower
+ - P-40 National Security Area influence zone requires enhanced security screening
+ - Maryland state law prohibits UAS over critical infrastructure
  
+ - NAS Patuxent River: https://www.navair.navy.mil/nawcad
  
-             This page is based on imported FAA data and may need additional community review.
May 17, 2026 2:09 PM Approved • FAA import FAA_NS_UAS:20161222-DOD-Patuxent River-Patuxent APP
Author: jaystechvault (11074)
Changed fields
Mapped shape change
Click to load this change into the shared map viewer here.
Field Before After
Rule category Air
Flight status NoFly
Summary FAA controlled airspace restriction. Review current FAA data and authorization requirements before flying.
Mapped shapes 346945aa-1222-4088-9ec9-70885cb4ff15
Before



After
## FAA facility airspace restriction

            This area appears in FAA_FS_UAS source data. Drone pilots should verify current FAA requirements, LAANC availability, altitude limits, temporary restrictions, and local conditions before flight.

            This page is based on imported FAA data and may need additional community review.
Show inline change markers
+ ## FAA facility airspace restriction
+ 
+             This area appears in FAA_FS_UAS source data. Drone pilots should verify current FAA requirements, LAANC availability, altitude limits, temporary restrictions, and local conditions before flight.
+ 
+             This page is based on imported FAA data and may need additional community review.