NAWC china lake, ca.

• Origins in World War II: The Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake was established in 1943 as the Naval Ordnance Test Station to provide a remote site for the testing and development of airborne weapons during WWII. • Birthplace of the Sidewinder: China Lake is where scientists and engineers developed the AIM-9 Sidewinder, the world’s first effective heat-seeking air-to-air missile, which is still in use today. • Vast Testing Range: The base covers over 1.1 million acres, making it the Navy’s largest single landholding, roughly the size of the state of Rhode Island. • Desert Location: Its isolated Mojave Desert location provides an ideal environment for explosive testing and flight operations with minimal risk to populated areas. • Secret Projects: Numerous classified and cutting-edge weapons, including advanced bombs, rockets, and guidance systems, have been developed at China Lake over its history. • Home to the “China Lake Alumni”: Many scientists and engineers who worked at China Lake went on to prominent careers in industry, academia, and NASA, earning the nickname “China Lake Alumni.” • Connection to Space Exploration: China Lake experts contributed to the development of the Lunar Rover’s wheels for the Apollo missions, adapting their experience with off-road vehicles and desert terrain. • Earthquake Resilience: In July 2019, two major earthquakes (magnitude 6.4 and 7.1) struck the area, heavily impacting the base but causing no fatalities, and the station played a key role in the recovery. • Cultural Heritage: The land around China Lake contains thousands of Native American petroglyphs, some dating back over 10,000 years, protected within the base boundaries. • Hollywood Connection: The vast, picturesque desert landscapes of China Lake have been used as filming locations for movies and TV shows, including scenes in “Star Trek V” and “Lawrence of Arabia.”