NADU: The Forgotten Naval Air Development Unit of NAS South Weymouth

This is the story of the Naval Air Development Unit (NADU) that operated at Naval Air Station South Weymouth, Massachusetts between 1953 and 1961. NADU was a little-known regular Navy command that provided flight testing support for secret military R&D projects associated with the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Office of Naval Research, Naval Research Laboratory, Air Force Cambridge Research Center, MITRE Corporation, and similar organizations. Perhaps the most important project that NADU was involved with was the pioneering computerized Semi-Automatic Ground Environment or "SAGE" air defense system. Though largely forgotten today, NADU had one of the most diverse fleets of aircraft in the Navy. NADU operated jet fighters, radar picket aircraft, anti-submarine aircraft, transports, and blimps. This 571 page book is a comprehensive illustrated history of NADU, telling its complete story for the first time ever using detailed narrative, 405 illustrations, and personal remembrances from NADU veterans.