Photo taken at the U.S. Naval Air Test Facility (NATF) in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The high-speed rail track facility was built on the west side of the Lakehurst base, sometime between 1958-60. Primary Navy use of tests is wire rope acceptance tests, barricade testing, and arresting gear evaluation and certification. The four J57 jet engines can propel the aircraft at speeds up to 250 knots. Note the A-3 positioned on the track.
Mel, your photo appears to be of a F/A-18, or perhaps a YF-17, taken in the mid-late 1970s.