NAS China Lake CA

• Birthplace of Top Gun: While the original Navy Fighter Weapons School (“Top Gun”) was established at NAS Miramar, some of the earliest air-to-air missile research and pilot training that influenced Top Gun took place at China Lake. • Largest Landholding in the Navy: Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake covers more than 1.1 million acres—making it the largest single landholding in the U.S. Navy and accounting for about 38% of the Navy’s land worldwide. • Home of the Sidewinder Missile: The famous AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile was developed at China Lake in the 1950s. It remains one of the most widely used missiles in the world. • Secret World War II Beginnings: China Lake was established in 1943 as the Naval Ordnance Test Station to support the development and testing of rockets and other weapons for World War II. • Innovative Civilian Scientists: China Lake was known for its unique blend of military personnel and civilian scientists and engineers, fostering a collaborative, innovative environment that led to breakthroughs in missile technology. • Desert Location for Safety: The remote Mojave Desert location was chosen so that dangerous weapons tests could be conducted safely, far from populated areas. • Hollywood Connections: China Lake's dramatic desert landscapes have been used in movies, television shows, and commercials, including scenes from “Star Trek” and “Iron Man.” • Birth of the Zuni Rocket: The 5-inch Zuni rocket, a staple of U.S. military aircraft armament in the 1960s and beyond, was also developed and tested at China Lake. • Major Earthquake Impact: In July 2019, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near China Lake, causing significant damage to the base’s infrastructure and temporarily halting operations. • Advanced Electronic Warfare: China Lake has long been at the forefront of electronic warfare research, including the development of radar jamming pods and countermeasures to protect U.S. aircraft.