About this Unit
The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) at China Lake, California, was established in 1943 as the Naval Ordnance Test Station to support World War II weapons research and testing. Located in the Mojave Desert, China Lake became a premier site for developing and testing naval airborne weapons, including the legendary Sidewinder missile. Over the decades, the facility expanded its mission to include research, development, acquisition, testing, and evaluation of cutting-edge naval weapons and systems. Today, NAWCWD China Lake remains a critical hub for the U.S. Navy, driving innovation in weapons technology and supporting fleet readiness worldwide.
Historical Facts
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Desert Location: Its isolated Mojave Desert location provides an ideal environment for explosive testing and flight operations with minimal risk to populated areas.
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Secret Projects: Numerous classified and cutting-edge weapons, including advanced bombs, rockets, and guidance systems, have been developed at China Lake over its history.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
