NVESD researches, develops, tests and evaluates electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensor technologies for airborne and ground-based reconnaissance and targeting under all battlefield conditions. NVESD also expands tactical use of laser designators and markers for precision engagement, day or night, while maintaining the capability to maneuver.

Army 12th Aviation Battalion uses helicopters to maintain readiness for consequence management missions, such as defense support for civil authorities or homeland security operations, and to provide transportation. To conduct these flights, the Army uses 34 Sikorsky UH-60 helicopters stationed at Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Davison Army Airfield (DAAF) located on Fort Belvoir, Virginia. DAAF is home to the Army’s 12th Aviation Battalion, which is the primary operator at the airfield, along with the District of Columbia Army National Guard and the Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate. There are various aircraft stationed at DAAF including UH-60 Blackhawk and UH-72 Lakota helicopters, which are used for missions such as consequence management readiness, defense support for civil authorities, homeland security operations, air medical operations, and transportation.

DAAF personnel reported 13,272 departure and arrival operations, not including closed pattern work (take-off and landing practice) at the airfield, in Calendar Year (CY) 2020 with over 98 percent occurring during acoustical daytime hours—7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. This is the highest yearly total in the past four years.

Helicopter use of the Pentagon helipad is limited to only DoD-directed exercises and three- and four-star executive travel and their civilian equivalents

UH-60, which is the Army’s most common and loudest helicopter in the NCR,

12th Aviation Battalion conducts air movement and engineer technical rescue operations for senior leaders of the Army, Department of Defense, and United States Government, while maintaining a continuous alert posture in support of the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region in order to sustain a rapid response, readiness, and support force capability.