NAWC china lake, ca.

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.