The Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU) was created in 1950. NOTU was directing almost all of its effort toward support of Fleet Ballistic Missile development, resulting in NOTU being assigned to the Director, Special Projects (now Strategic Systems Programs) with a mission to support the development of the Polaris Missile. 

Mission: NOTU serves the country by supporting and testing sea-based weapons systems in a safe environment. 

The command directly supports the mission capability and readiness of the United States Navy's Trident Submarines as well as the Fleet Ballistic Missile program of the United Kingdom. NOTU operates the Navy Port at Port Canaveral, supporting submarines and surface ships of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and foreign navies and assets of the Military Sealift Command