Project Magnet (USN)

Not to be confused with Project Magnet (UFO).
Project Magnet RP-3D at Misawa (Japan) 27 October 1994 after Project Magnet transfer to Naval Research Laboratory.

Project Magnet was a major geomagnetic survey effort from 1951 through 1994. The project originated in the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office, renamed the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO), supporting world magnetic modeling and charting. The project used aircraft flying magnetic surveys worldwide. Additional magnetic data were collected with geophysical survey ships in conjunction with other projects for combination into final products. Data was used to support navigation of ships and aircraft and to meet Naval requirements as well as scientific research.

The project aircraft were operated by several special Navy flight organizations but for most of the project's span by Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight (VXN-8) based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Civilian scientists from the Oceanographic Office were assigned to the missions for data collection. A variety of specially modified aircraft capable of long flights were used. The aircraft were notable for the international orange and white livery and the authorized use of cartoon characters, Roadrunner being one and the last used, on their fuselages. The missions required use of civilian facilities, often in remote areas, where no military ones were available thus drawing attention in places where naval aircraft were not ordinarily seen. The missions, structured to last two months, were flown all over the world.