Naval Air Warfare Center

Weapons Division

China Lake and Point Mugu

California

NAWCWD TS 10-101

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | i

Naval Air Systems Command

Sailors and Marines Armed with Confidence...

Because we develop, deliver, and sustain aircraft, weapons, and systems—on time, on cost, with 

proven capability and reliability—so they succeed in every mission and return safely home.
 ii | Arming the Fleet

In June 1963, in front of more than 60,000 people who crowded the Point Mugu tarmac, President 

John F. Kennedy said, “I go back to Washington with the feeling of renewed pride in being an 

American and renewed confidence in being a citizen of the greatest republic on earth.” A day later, 

President Kennedy flew to China Lake for a brief tour, where thousands also came to see their 

president. “I cannot think of a prouder statement when asked what our occupation may be than to 

say ‘I serve the United States of America,’” stated the president. His words touched the hearts of all 

those in attendance.

Through the years, naval projects and missions have changed, but pride in serving this country has 

not. The people employed at China Lake and Point Mugu are reminded of the history within the 

walls of their many laboratories. Through the hallways, echoes of the past precede the sounds of the 

present, telling us to build on the past’s lessons and trials, failures and successes. 

Nothing should remain stagnant, and, in today’s world of uncertainty and crisis, the military is one 

area where we must continue to advance to protect our country and give our warfighters a decisive 

advantage over our enemies. 

The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) has made countless contributions 

to our warfighters. This publication highlights many of them—describing our support in all major 

military conflicts beginning with World War II, discussing many weapons developed or supported, 

and illustrating the many technologies invented. This publication could not possibly include every 

project in which NAWCWD has been involved throughout its illustrious history. Therefore, only its 

most noteworthy achievements have been cited.

Regardless of the task or mission, our workforce is proud to say, “I serve the United States of America.” 

Foreword

Rear Admiral Mathias W. Winter

Commander

NAWCWD

Scott M. O’Neil

Executive Director

Research and Engineering

NAWCWD
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | iii

Table of Contents

NAVAIR Overview ........................................................................................................................................1

NAWCWD Vision, Mission, and Goals.........................................................................................................2

NAWCWD “Firsts”........................................................................................................................................3

NAWCWD, How It All Began.......................................................................................................................5

Teamwork ......................................................................................................................................................8

Military Conflicts—Highlights....................................................................................................................11

Ranges..........................................................................................................................................................19

Laboratories and Facilities...........................................................................................................................25

Weapons.......................................................................................................................................................37

Weapons–Platform Integration ....................................................................................................................73

Weapon Systems..........................................................................................................................................77

Electronic Warfare (EW)..............................................................................................................................89

Unmanned Systems (UxS)...........................................................................................................................95

Test and Evaluation (T&E)........................................................................................................................115

Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis..........................................................................................................129

Research and Engineering..........................................................................................................................139

Energy Strategy..........................................................................................................................................165

Special Weapons and Projects....................................................................................................................171

Table of NAWCWD-Influenced Weapons in Conflict ...............................................................................182

Acronyms...................................................................................................................................................183

References..................................................................................................................................................187

Bibliography ..............................................................................................................................................190

Recommended Reading List......................................................................................................................192

Acknowledgments......................................................................................................................................193

Index ..........................................................................................................................................................195

NAWCWD provides direct fleet support in multiple areas shown in the table of contents. In addition, NAWCWD is also heavily 

engaged in other work involving energetics, weapons/platform integration, system-of-systems integration, and survivability/

vulnerability/lethality. Examples of programs and projects are described throughout this publication.
I cannot think of a prouder statement when asked what our occupation may be 

than to say ‘I serve the United States of America.’

—John F. Kennedy, President of the United States

 iv | Arming the Fleet
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 1

NAVAIR Overview

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) delivers weapon 

systems to Sailors and Marines for Navy and Marine Corps missions. 

Products and services include fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, 

avionics, air- and surface-launched weapons, electronic warfare 

(EW) systems, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), 

launch and arresting gear, and training systems. 

NAVAIR encompasses eight sites across the country. The Aircraft 

Division has sites at Patuxent River, Maryland; Lakehurst, New 

Jersey; and Orlando, Florida. NAVAIR depots are located at 

North Island, California; Jacksonville, Florida; and Cherry Point, 

North Carolina. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division 

(NAWCWD) includes sites at China Lake and Point Mugu, 

California. The entire NAVAIR organization has made significant 

contributions to the Fleet by providing total life-cycle support: 

research, design, development, and engineering; acquisition; test 

and evaluation (T&E); repair and modification; and in-service 

engineering and logistics support. 

Many NAVAIR publications have documented significant 

contributions to the Fleet in support of naval aviation and warfighter 

requirements. This document, produced by NAWCWD, focuses 

specifically on the weapons and systems research, development, 

test, and evaluation (RDT&E) contributions made at China Lake 

and Point Mugu since 1943. During every U.S. military crisis since 

World War II, RDT&E efforts at China Lake and Point Mugu have 

played a significant role—developing and testing weapons and 

systems that work.
 2 | Arming the Fleet

NAWCWD Vision, Mission, and Goals

The NAWCWD Vision is to be the leader providing innovative, integrated, and dominant warfighting 

effects for our naval, joint, and coalition forces. The NAWCWD Mission is to execute full-spectrum 

weapons and warfare systems research, development, acquisition, test, and evaluation (RDAT&E). 

The Mission is enabled through recruiting, developing, and retaining a relevant, qualified workforce; 

developing, maintaining, and operating unique cross-domain land, air, and sea ranges and laboratory 

capabilities; and partnering with industry, academia, Department of Defense (DoD), and the 

international community. In the performance of the Mission, stewardship of natural resources and the 

environment is a paramount duty.

NAWCWD is fully engaged in the execution and support of work across the breadth of RDAT&E. A 

major goal is to provide naval, joint, and coalition partners with products and services on time and 

on budget. The Command supports a wide variety of customers and provides substantial resources to 

continue developing, delivering, and sustaining affordable, quality products and services. 

Pursuit of key technology-driven emerging capabilities is another major goal. Technology, innovation, 

research, and development are the cornerstones that allow NAWCWD to rapidly counter evolving 

threats with novel warfighter capabilities. Substantial investment and involvement in independent 

and applied research and core science and technology networks keep NAWCWD at the forefront of 

relevant technologies and its application to the Mission. 
NAWCWD provides direct Fleet support 

for naval aviation and is recognized for 

a number of significant firsts. NAWCWD 

has extensive experience in developing, 

perfecting, and testing military components and 

subsystems that also have direct application to 

space missions. Although work for other government 

agencies represents only a very small fraction of the 

total workload, NAWCWD is occasionally called upon 

by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

(NASA) to lend expertise to projects of national 

importance. Lessons learned from joint projects 

help NAWCWD find solutions to naval aviation 

problems. China Lake and Point Mugu are 

recognized for several space-related and earlier 

undersea firsts.

Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 3

NAWCWD “Firsts”
NAWCWD—Making History

 4 | Arming the Fleet

Weapons Firsts...

• Fire-and-forget guided missile under 

6 pounds—Spike

• Air-to-air guided missile used in 

combat—Sidewinder

• Successful anti-radiation missile 

(ARM)—Shrike

• Air-to-surface precision-guided 

missile—Walleye

• Fire-and-forget precision-guided imaging 

infrared (IR) 2.75-inch rocket—Low-Cost 

Guided Imaging Rocket (LOGIR)

• Low collateral damage precision-guided 

munition (PGM) warhead, 85% less explosive, 

same mass properties—Low Collateral 

Damage Bomb (LCDB, also known as LOCO)

• Feasibility studies, concept development, and 

early testing—Polaris missile

• Nonnuclear components and testing—atomic 

bomb

• Plastic-bonded explosives

• U.S. aircraft rockets

• “No-smoke” missiles

• Controlled fragmentation Pearson Notch, 

still the standard method for warhead case 

controlled fragmentation

• Metal augmentation charge (MAC) enhanced 

thermobaric warhead—Hellfire AGM-114N

• U.S. Navy’s premier hard target penetration 

weapon—BLU-116/B

• Cast ductile iron warheads—a family of 

Mk 80 series weapons 

• Cast iron weapon store qualified for flight on 

Air Force and Navy aircraft

• Heavy-wall practice bomb

Technology Firsts...

• Chemiluminescent light sticks

• Stop-action video

• Automatic air bag sensors

• Ground-based passive IR system to track and 

autonomously declare antiaircraft missiles, 

thus allowing time to employ precision 

countermeasures—distributed ground-based 

threat detection system (DGTDS) 

• Radar for automatic discrimination of 

submarine periscopes in high-clutter 

environments with low probability of false 

alarms—automatic radar periscope detection 

and discrimination (ARPDD)

• Reprogrammable self-protection jammer

• Real-time night display of targets

• Real-time X-ray video system to see inside a 

rocket motor while being fired

• Subject search made by a digital computer

• Body-scanning technology—logarithmic 

amplifiers

• Active optical and proximity fuze technologies

Testing Firsts...

• Unmanned aircraft to release a Global 

Positioning System (GPS)-guided weapon

• Pegasus X-47A and Fire Scout RQ-8 UAV 

flights

• Hellfire missile launch from Sky Warrior UAV

• UAV search and rescue support with 

Predator B

• Tactical Tomahawk launch with live warhead; 

first launch from a British submarine

• Standard Missile-3 sea-based ballistic missile 

intercept

• Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM) firing

• Air-to-air “six-on-six” (missiles launched/

targets killed)—Phoenix

• Plane and crew to land at the South 

Pole—VXE-6

• U.S. kill of an airborne target by an air-to-air 

guided missile—Sparrow

• Contact hit against an airborne target by a 

surface-to-air guided missile—Lark

Space and Undersea Firsts...

• Lunar lander and Mars lander subsystems

• U.S. satellite launch—NOTSNIK

• Antisatellite weapons demonstration

• Technology allowing images from space to be 

sent back to Earth

• U.S. manned submersible to descend 

2,000 feet—Deep Jeep
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 5

NAWCWD, How It All Began

Before China Lake and Point Mugu merged to form NAWCWD, they were separate naval 

installations, each with its own storied history and reputation.

In the midst of World War II, the Navy established China Lake as the Naval Ordnance Test 

Station (NOTS) for testing and evaluating rockets being developed by the California Institute of 

Technology (Caltech). The facility is located 150 miles northeast of Los Angeles in the remote 

western edge of California’s Mojave Desert. The formal mission statement for NOTS in 1943 

identified “research, development, and test of weapons” as the Station’s primary purpose, which 

remains its mission today. The first weapons included rockets, such as Mighty Mouse and Zuni, 

and, because of its remote location, China Lake was also part of the team developing the first 

atomic weapons. 

Also, in 1946, the naval presence at Point Mugu began when Seabees from Port Hueneme put 

down a Marsden mat runway as the first airstrip in that area. The Navy recognized the importance 

of a large sea range for T&E functions only 65 miles northwest of Los Angeles, so Point Mugu 

became the Naval Air Missile Test Center (NAMTC). The NAMTC, which was the U.S. Navy’s 

first instrumented missile test sea range, developed and tested missiles and drones, including the 

Gorgon, Gargoyle, Lark, and Little Joe.

After World War II, both NOTS and NAMTC excelled in their support of the Warfighter. Scientists 

and engineers at both locations continued to develop new and innovative weapons. One example 

is the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile, which originated at China Lake and became the 

world’s most used and most copied air-to-air missile.

As the bases added new weapons and technologies to their list of accomplishments, they also 

continued to evolve as naval installations. For example, in 1958, the Pacific Missile Range (PMR) 

at Point Mugu was established. By 1959, NAMTC was renamed the Naval Missile Center (NMC). 

In 1971, Point Mugu, which was already home to the F-14 Tomcat System Integration Test 
 6 | Arming the Fleet

Station, became host to the Software Support Activity for the Tomcat. Four years later, because 

the sea ranges were test locations for such weapons as the Harpoon, Tomahawk, Trident, and 

Standard Missile, the Navy merged the PMR and the NMC into the Pacific Missile Test Center 

(PMTC). China Lake was also evolving with its warfighter contributions and growing reputation 

of excellence. By 1967, it was combined with the Naval Ordnance Laboratory at Corona to form 

the newly created Naval Weapons Center (NWC). In 1979, the National Parachute Test Range at 

El Centro, California, merged with NWC, further increasing NWC’s functionality.

The Navy then continued its efforts to streamline naval functions and consolidate duplicated 

tasking and research, as well as to broaden the communication between RDT&E facilities. To 

this end, by 1992, the PMTC, NWC China Lake, and the NAVAIR units at White Sands and 

Albuquerque, New Mexico, had merged to form NAWCWD. In 2001, the White Sands detachment 

was transferred to the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). NAWCWD is headquartered at 

China Lake and is a tenant of the Navy Region Southwest, which includes several military bases 

on the West Coast, such as San Diego; Point Loma; and the Naval Air Station (NAS), Fallon, 

Nevada.

NAWCWD became one of the largest and most diverse test ranges in the world, with a wide 

variety of features—mountains, ocean, deep-water ports, protected islands, deserts, canyons, 

and forests—all close to one another and all highly instrumented. NAWCWD is a billion-dollarper-year operation, with more than 6,500 employees and 40 major facilities, many of which are 

not duplicated anywhere else in the world. The installation hosts thousands of official visitors 

annually, ranging from joint services, allies, and official delegates.

As the Warfighter moves into the future, NAWCWD is leading the way by continuing to develop 

state-of-the-art weapons and technologies. With its new laboratories and facilities, which will 

provide new and exciting capabilities, NAWCWD has an exceedingly bright future, will continue 

to grow significantly, and will remain the U.S. military’s leading RDT&E facility far into the 

future.
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 7

China Lake and Point Mugu Designated

as Historical Aerospace Sites

For more than 75 years, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has been the 

principal technical society devoted to continuing contributions and global leadership in the aerospace 

profession. The institute has more than 35,000 members, both professionals and students, and conducts 

many national technical conferences each year and publishes many textbooks, technical journals, and 

short courses annually. The AIAA Board of Directors established the historic Aerospace Sites Committee 

in 1999 to recognize and preserve significant contributions made in both aeronautics and astronautics to 

culture and technology. Advances and discoveries in the aerospace field have significantly affected the 

lives of people the world over.

AIAA Point Mugu Historic Aerospace Site

On November 14, 2003, the Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu was formally named an AIAA 

historic site. The citation reads as follows: 

Established in 1946 to provide a comprehensive test and evaluation site for tactical 

missiles, Point Mugu has been instrumental in the development, test, evaluation, and 

in-service support of systems including Regulus, Sparrow, Phoenix, Bullpup, Harpoon, 

SLAM, Tomahawk, Standard, and Rolling Airframe Missile. The first missile launch from 

an operational submarine was also accomplished at Point Mugu.

The institute designation placed this installation in the company of 20 other historic spots, including Kitty 

Hawk, North Carolina; Dutch Flats, the San Diego airport where Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis

was tested; the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), home of legendary test 

pilots and fledgling astronauts; and the Pasadena plant site where scientists for Aerojet Engineering 

invented rocket fuel in the 1940s.

AIAA China Lake Historic Aerospace Site

In 2006, China Lake was also chosen an AIAA Historic Aerospace Site, along with the NASA Johnson 

Space Center, Houston, Texas. The bronze plaque was unveiled by Rear Admiral Walter Skinner at a 

formal public dedication held at the U.S. Naval Museum of Armament and Technology. The citation reads 

as follows:

China Lake is one of the nation’s premiere weapons laboratories. Established in 1943, China 

Lake supports naval aviation and warfighter requirements and will continue to arm the Fleet 

into the future. The Station conceived and developed rockets during WWII; nonnuclear 

components for the first atomic bomb; Sidewinder, Shrike, and Walleye missiles; and the 

Polaris concept. China Lake developed NOTSNIK in 1958 and vital components for the 

Mars lander in 2004. The Station, a world leader in aircraft–weapons integration, testing, 

and electronic warfare, developed 75% of the air-launched weapons used during Vietnam 

and jointly developed 80% of those used during Iraqi Freedom.

As part of the ceremonies, the U.S. Naval Museum of Armament and Technology restored and unveiled 

two new exhibits, including the Mk IV Fleet version of the Fat Man and the Caleb, the follow-on to 

NOTSNIK, part of China Lake’s early satellite program.
 8 | Arming the Fleet

Teamwork

Teamwork is the cornerstone of NAVAIR’s success. Every test event, training mission, and 

laboratory experiment at China Lake and Point Mugu is a team effort. Throughout NAWCWD, 

more than 4,000 federal employees combine with more than 1,700 defense contractors 

and 200 military service men and women to form a cohesive team to support the NAVAIR 

mission. This teamwork binds together the network of highly trained scientific, technical, and 

administrative personnel.

Joint Services

Teamwork at NAWCWD is not only internal to the Navy but also reaches across service 

boundaries to the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Department of Homeland 

Security. NAVAIR is at the forefront of joint service activity—joint training, joint testing, joint 

experimentation, joint research, joint development, and joint acquisition.

China Lake and Point Mugu conduct numerous joint service 

collaborations, such as the Warfare Response Network and the 

Homeland Defense Response Team. In addition, the NAWCWD 

Land Ranges, Sea Range, and Electronic Combat Range (ECR) have 

hosted virtually every combatant aircraft in the DoD inventory, 

including Air Force fighters and bombers; Army helicopters; 

developmental aircraft, such as the F-22 and the F-35; and 

joint service UAVs.

In addition, Special Operations Forces units have 

roamed the desert ranges of China Lake, and 

Marine light armored vehicles have raced 

across the dry lake beds during live fire 

exercises. The ranges and laboratories 

have played principal roles in the 

United States’ largest joint service 

battle experiments, and Point 

Mugu was selected as the site of 

the U.S. Joint Forces Command’s 

(USJFCOM’s) Regional Joint 

National Training Center.
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 9

International Services

The United States’ international allies benefit from the same principles of teamwork. The first 

Tomahawk firing from a British submarine, for example, took place on the NAWCWD Sea Range. 

The Japanese Defense Force conducts annual training and missile development exercises on the 

Sea Range also. The Italian Air Force trains with the High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) 

on the NAWCWD Land Ranges; the Royal Danish Navy has participated in Evolved SeaSparrow 

Missile (ESSM) launches on the ranges as well. Many allied countries send representatives to 

the F/A-18 Advanced Weapons Laboratory (AWL), where NAWCWD provides its expertise in 

system integration. Several allies have permanent facilities located on NAWCWD, although their 

access to the ranges and laboratories is restricted and closely monitored.

Many weapons developed by NAWCWD are later sold to U.S. allies. These foreign military sales 

(FMS) are contingent on the country being authorized to participate and its ability to provide 

appropriate funding. To maintain its strategic edge, the DoD may sell a weapon’s lower variant 

without current capabilities, if the military deems the current weapon is essential to U.S. national 

defense. NAWCWD supports FMS customers by providing range support, weapon integration, 

and training and technical support. [218]

National and International Forums

NAWCWD has historically played a leadership role in many professional societies. For example, 

NAWCWD representatives are on the Executive Committee of the Joint Army, Navy, NASA, and 

Air Force (JANNAF) Interagency Propulsion Committee. Other forum participation includes the 

following. [40] [203]

• Serves as an active participant in the AIAA.

• Serves on the Missile Sciences Committee and chaired the 2000 Missile Sciences Conference.

• Chairs sessions for the Military Sensor Symposia (MSS) on Active Systems and the MSS 

national/international conferences.

• Cochairs sessions for the National Fire Control Symposium.

• Serves on the steering committee of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 

Insensitive Munitions Information Center with representatives from the United Kingdom, 

Australia, and New Zealand.

• Leads various nationwide and international panels in propulsion, warheads, guidance, 

control, and fuzing.
 10 | Arming the Fleet

Through its entire history, the [Pacific Missile Test] Center has benefitted 

tremendously from the human side of the equation. In the final analysis, 

the people have really been the most important part of the evolution and 

success of the Center.

—Mr. K. I. Lichti, Technical Director, PMTC, Point Mugu

China Lake’s notable accomplishments and famous desert culture have created 

an esprit de corps perhaps unequalled in the Navy’s far-flung organization.

—Dr. William S. Dudley, Director of Naval History
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 11

Military Conflicts—Highlights
 12 | Arming the Fleet

World War II

China Lake’s initial role during World War II was in support 

of the Caltech rocket program. The partnership led to the 

first air-launched rockets to enter the U.S. inventory. One 

of those rockets was the 2.75-inch forward-firing aircraft 

rocket. This rocket remains one of the most fired weapons 

in history, surpassed only by bullet-type ammunition. [141]

Another early rocket was Holy Moses, a 5.0-inch highvelocity aircraft rocket. Holy Moses is an example of an 

early China Lake quick-response accomplishment. Tasked 

with improving the effectiveness of the British 3.0-inch 

rocket, Caltech and China Lake designed and developed 

the 5.0-inch rocket in a matter of months. This rocket could 

penetrate 1.5 inches of armor and 4 feet of concrete. During 

production, 100 rounds were manufactured and sent abroad 

every day until 1,400 rounds were delivered. [141]

China Lake also developed the Spin-Stabilized 

Bombardment Rocket (SSBR) used in ship-to-shore 

barrages and a rocket-thrown line charge used to clear 

hazardous landing areas. The land-clearing system was 

the first of its kind, and the technology involved served 

as the basis for all future land-clearing systems used by 

U.S. armed services. [141] [145]

Apart from the rocket work, China Lake also helped to 

develop the atomic weapon that eventually brought an 

end to the war. China Lake was tasked with creating the 

conventional explosives that trigger the nuclear core, 

testing detonators and fuzes, and dropping inert bombs 

from B-29 bombers to perfect the procedures and tactics 

used in delivering an atomic bomb.

Military Conflicts—Highlights

NAWCWD’s support of the Warfighter has been an ongoing effort since its establishment during 

World War II. The contributions made by China Lake and Point Mugu range from direct support 

in response to immediate Fleet needs to ensuring the Warfighter will have the advantage in future 

conflicts. Those contributions are innumerable, so trying to provide a comprehensive list is both 

futile and beyond the scope of this publication. Therefore, what follows is a collection of specific 

examples designed to illustrate the extent of that effort. 
Military Conflicts—Highlights | 13

Korean War

With the outbreak of war in Korea in 1950, NAWCWD was 

once again called upon to aid the Warfighter. In its second 

quick-response effort in as many wars, China Lake built an 

antitank rocket in response to an urgent need for a weapon 

that could engage North Korean tanks with what was 

initially thought to be 13-inch-thick armor plating (North 

Korean tanks were later confirmed to have 5-inch-thick 

armor plating). In just under 1 month, China Lake designed, 

developed, tested, and built a shaped-charge warhead for 

the 5.0-inch high-velocity aircraft rocket, thereby resulting 

in the Antitank Aircraft Rocket (ATAR), or Ram, as it was 

known.

It was also during this time that development began on 

Sidewinder under the code name Local Project 612. Built 

almost entirely by Dr. William B. McLean, the Sidewinder 

prototype was a rocket-propelled bomb with a heat-detecting 

device in the nose to home in on enemy jet exhaust heat. 

With a total of nine moving parts, a “brain” consisting of 

seven radio tubes, and a design that utilized the weapon’s 

own gas pressure to move its fins and create electricity, it 

was an ingeniously simple but effective weapon. 

Due to the success of the Caltech/China Lake rocket program 

initiated in World War II, China Lake continued to advance 

rocket technology in the early 1950s. One program, Swoose, 

was initiated to test the feasibility of using glass-reinforced 

resin to build rocket casings and document the associated 

change in the rocket’s performance. [144]

Cuban Missile Crisis

In 1962, the Soviets positioned medium-range nuclear 

missiles in Cuba, with an array of radar stations defending 

the sites. At the time, the United States did not possess 

any ARMs; however, Shrike, the first dedicated ARM, was 

under development at China Lake. To quickly fill this gap, 

China Lake, in concert with industry, sped up development 

and produced 200 Shrike ARMs in 6 months, half of them 

on site. [141]
 14 | Arming the Fleet

Vietnam Conflict

Another quick-response effort involving Shrike occurred in 

Vietnam when China Lake was asked to adapt Shrike to be 

shipboard launched to destroy or deter North Vietnamese 

coast defense radars. China Lake was also called upon 

to adapt the Pave Knife laser target designator to the 

Navy’s A-6 aircraft. In just one example of its potency, 

Pave Knife helped destroy 14 Vietnamese bridges in

3 hours. In a more general support effort, China Lake acted 

as the West Coast program coordinator for the Vietnam 

Laboratory Assistance Program (VLAP). This program 

was initiated in 1966 to provide support for the Fleet and 

Marines in Vietnam. Examples of support efforts under 

the VLAP umbrella include map illuminators, an interim 

lightweight gun pod, hand-emplaced fuel-air explosives 

(FAEs) for mine clearance, and small beacons for ground 

troops to use to identify themselves to friendly attack 

aircraft. [141]

China Lake also performed a number of tasks that ultimately 

saved aircrew lives. For example, late in the conflict, 

China Lake was asked to develop a way to counter a new 

North Vietnamese antiaircraft missile system. To this end, 

China Lake performed field tests on available equipment 

and developed new tactics to engage those targets. Lifesaving tactics were also provided by the newly operational 

Electronic Warfare Threat Environment Simulation 

(EWTES). The EWTES simulates the EW environment 

to test equipment and develop tactics. Lastly, China Lake 

developed IR countermeasure flares urgently needed by the 

Fleet. [141]

Operation Desert Shield / 

Operation Desert Storm

When Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm 

started in 1990-1991, China Lake was once again tasked 

with critical, time-sensitive support in direct response to 

Fleet needs. One effort consisted of a series of laboratory 

and flight tests to evaluate the Navy’s existing bomb fuze 

inventory. Those tests showed that, if the existing fuze 

was used in concert with newer fuzes, the bomb would 
Military Conflicts—Highlights | 15

be safe and effective. As a result, large quantities of fuzes 

were quickly cleared for use. At Point Mugu, the EA-6B 

Division quickly adapted Block III and IV HARMs for use 

against a particularly troublesome Iraqi radar. In a similar 

effort, Point Mugu also updated the threat files on the 

ALQ-67 radar warning receiver and the ALQ-126 jammer, 

and China Lake updated the HARM seeker to recognize the 

unique targets encountered in Iraq. To this end, China Lake 

personnel developed new HARM threat files and tested 

them in an anechoic chamber and with VX-5 aircraft. [49]

[140]

Bosnian Conflict

During the conflict in Bosnia, which began in 1992, China 

Lake operated a Rapid Precision Targeting System (RPTS) 

in Italy to assist NATO air operations. This effort was 

recognized with letters of recognition from two generals 

and with a NATO medal. [54]

Operation Desert Fox

In 1998, the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) Integrated 

Product Team (IPT) at China Lake helped field JSOWs for 

carrier air groups deployed in support of Operation Desert 

Fox in Iraq. These JSOWs constituted some of the first 

low-rate initial production units produced. China Lake also 

provided Marine Helicopter Squadron HMLA-367 with 

some of the latest protective body armor, survival vests, 

and life preservers. [123] [124]

Operation Allied Force

In support of Operation Allied Force in Kosovo in 1999, 

China Lake provided the Marine Corps with the Advanced 

Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System (ATARS), a 

digital imaging system that provides nearly real-time 

high-resolution images in all weather and day and night 

conditions. In addition, a military/civilian team from China 

Lake’s AWL was in theater to support the deployment. 

The squadron’s commanding officer described ATARS as 

“indispensable” to the war effort. [120-122]

China Lake was also asked to provide in-theater support 

for several weapon systems used by the Warfighter. For 
 16 | Arming the Fleet

example, a Tiger Team from China Lake was deployed to 

Italy to develop tactical solutions for use with HARM to 

defeat enemy air defense. China Lake responded to more 

than 100 Fleet requests for HARM and ALQ-99 (the radar 

jammer used on the EA-6B) data. It is worth noting that no 

aircraft were lost to enemy air defense while HARMs were 

in flight. China Lake was also part of the Joint Direct Attack 

Munition (JDAM) Kosovo Support Team tasked to provide 

JDAM capability to Marine F/A-18s. NAWCWD personnel 

were even sent aboard USS Kitty Hawk and USS Carl 

Vinson to provide JSOW training and support. [120-122]

Just as it was during the Bosnian conflict, the RPTS team 

was again recognized for its “exceptional performance and 

outstanding contributions” during the conflict in Kosovo. 

This time, the RPTS team provided a controlled reference 

image base, a database consisting of highly accurate terrain 

images and files. [54]

Testing at China Lake also proved highly valuable to the 

Warfighter, as evidenced by the success of the ALE-50 

decoy. In response to anticipated threats in the Kosovo 

region, NAWCWD tested the Air Force’s ALE-50 on the 

Land Ranges. Air Force officials reported that ten surfaceto-air missiles (SAMs) locked onto B-1 bombers but were 

diverted to the decoy. [122]

War on Terror

NAWCWD supports the War on Terror in many ways, 

such as hosting explosives classes for the Federal Bureau 

of Investigation (FBI); however, the following section is 

concerned only with direct support for Operation Iraqi 

Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. These two 

conflicts represent the main thrust of a global effort to 

curtail and ultimately defeat terrorist cells throughout the 

world. [54]

After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, China 

Lake set up the Warfighter Response Center (WRC), with 

three prime directives: maintaining constant connection 

between warfighters and engineers, providing a secure 

state-of-the-art meeting place for that team, and functioning 
Military Conflicts—Highlights | 17

as a central hub for the Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) 

commanding officer in the event of a mishap or natural 

disaster. Within 5 weeks, an open-storage secret site was 

created, thereby providing NAWCWD personnel and the 

Warfighter around-the-clock support. The WRC is a fully 

functional Naval Aviation Weapons Distance Support 

Center and is currently the NAVAIR aviation help desk for 

the Naval Aviation Enterprise. The WRC fields more than 

500 support requests annually. [54] [172]

The JDAM quickly became the Warfighter’s weapon of 

choice during the War on Terror, so much so that supply 

could not always keep up with demand. To fill this gap, 

China Lake, in only 3 weeks, provided the necessary 

maintenance to 630 JDAM tail kits needed by deployed 

Marine Corps forces. In another effort to get JDAMs to the 

Fleet, Point Mugu was tasked to provide JDAM capability 

to legacy F-14Bs, and a crew from the F-14A/B/D IPT 

was sent aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, USS Abraham 

Lincoln, and USS Constellation to provide the same 

capability to the F-14D. [76]

The LCDB and the MAC warhead were two China Lake 

quick-response efforts to provide the Warfighter with 

increased capability in urban environments. In both cases, 

the Fleet needed weapons they could employ in urban 

environments without unnecessary collateral damage. The 

LCDB, a laser-guided bomb (LGB) developed by China 

Lake in under 16 months, can engage enemies in semihardened structures, with minimal damage to surrounding 

structures or noncombatants. For their work on the 

LCDB, China Lake personnel were awarded the Top Navy 

Scientist and Engineers of the Year Award in 2007. With 

development and testing taking approximately 13 months, 

the MAC warhead was fielded even more quickly than 

the LCDB. VX‐9 played a crucial role in that effort by 

finishing testing in 4 weeks, an effort that normally takes 

4 months. The MAC warhead “can take out the first floor 

of a building without damaging the floors above,” thereby 

making it a valuable asset in the War on Terror. [54]

NAWCWD also provided critical support to the Warfighter’s 

targeting ability with systems like Digital Precision Strike 
 18 | Arming the Fleet

Suite (DPSS), Precision Strike Suite–Special Operations Forces (PSS-SOF), Rapid Attack 

Information Dissemination and Execution Relay (RAIDER), and the Shared Reconnaissance 

Pod (SHARP). In the battle of Fallujah, DPSS improved the accuracy and timeliness of targeting 

capability, while reducing the chances of collateral damage. The WRC at China Lake manages 

deployment of DPSS and other NAVAIR prototype systems. Like DPSS, PSS-SOF significantly 

increased targeting capability and quickly became the targeting system of choice for both GPSand laser-guided weapons deployed for close-air support missions, troops in contact missions, and 

time-sensitive missions. In 2007, three RAIDER systems were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, 

and NAWCWD civilian engineers supported them in theater. For example, the RAIDER team 

provided USS Harry S. Truman with Link-16 capability based on a RAIDER Ground Mobile 

Gateway System. SHARP was approved for early deployment and provided real-time highresolution images to ground forces in northern Iraq. SHARP also allowed the central computer on 

USS Abraham Lincoln to download images from F/A-18s and convert them to weapon targeting 

coordinates. [172]

The ECR at China Lake supported a Joint Fleet Exercise (JTFEX) with USS John C. Stennis. 

Two tent cities, representative of the current conflict, were constructed at Charlie Airfield to 

provide realistic areas of opportunity for EW-opposed strike missions. The Joint Electronic 

Warfare Effects Laboratory also provides important EW-related support; for example, in 2009, it 

completed 59 critical tests that resulted in direct changes to operations. [76] [172]

VX-30 was often sent in theater to support the War on Terror. For example, a crew from VX-30 

was tasked with flying a C-130 to Iraq and preparing it to launch five drone aircraft at Baghdad. 

VX-30 Hornets also flew in support of USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Carl Vinson, USS Nimitz, 

USS Ronald Reagan, and USS Peleliu. In 2009, VX-30 deployed four personnel to the Central 

Command, Atlantic Ocean Range. [69] [172]

VX-31 was also essential to NAWCWD’s support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, particularly in 

support of the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for the F/A-18E/F. In 2009, 

two individual augmentees from VX-31 were deployed overseas. Their support of Operation 

Iraqi Freedom earned them a Meritorious Unit Commendation. [172] [177]

Another award, the Edward Heinemann Award for design and modification, was presented to the 

Intrepid Tiger Pod Team for quickly getting an urgently needed communication system to the 

Warfighter. NAWCWD and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) helped 

the Naval Research Laboratory develop the pod by using recycled mobile Sea Range pods. VX-9 

at China Lake performed operational testing on the pod before it was deployed. In 2008, the team 

released the O-Level Intrepid Tiger Pod. [172] [202]
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 19

Ranges
 20 | Arming the Fleet

Ranges

Overview

NAWCWD’s Land and Sea Ranges are unique DoD national assets. With mountains, deserts, canyons, 

forests, vast ocean, deep water ports, and islands, all close to one another and within restricted airspace, 

these ranges are used extensively for T&E and training. More than 1,500 test events occur each year. 

The ranges have hosted virtually every combatant aircraft in the DoD inventory, ranging from Air Force 

fighters and bombers and Army helicopters to developmental aircraft (e.g., the F-22 and Joint Strike 

Fighter [JSF] to joint service UAVs). Special Operations Forces units have roamed the desert hills of 

Superior Valley, and Marine light armored vehicles have raced across the dry flats of Airport Lake 

during live fire exercises. The ranges have played principal roles in the nation’s largest joint service 

battle experiments. Each year, allied customers, including Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, 

Switzerland, Italy, and Norway, send hundreds of troops to test weapons and train for conflict. Japan is 

one of the Sea Range’s largest customers. 

Ranges are interconnected via a unique Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved restricted 

corridor (IR-200). Long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles with inert warheads can be launched from 

the Sea Range to targets on the Land Ranges, so all operational aspects can be tested. In addition, the 

ranges enjoy great flying weather. Point Mugu has visual meteorological conditions (VMC) 85% of the 

time and China Lake has VMC 99.5% of the time—in other words, more than 350+ clear days per year. 
Ranges | 21

Land Ranges

The Land Ranges at China Lake represent the Navy’s largest single land holding, with 52% of all 

Navy land worldwide and 85% of the Navy’s RDT&E land. The area encompasses 1.1 million acres 

of land, or 1,700 square miles, and is larger than the state of Rhode Island. The R-2508 restricted 

airspace encompasses 12% of California’s total airspace and is jointly managed by the Navy (China 

Lake), the Air Force (Edwards AFB), and the Army (Fort Irwin). The ranges support T&E for air and 

ground conventional weapons, aircraft systems, air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, rockets, bombs, 

cluster munitions, cruise missiles, unmanned air vehicles, guns and artillery, fuzes and sensors, mass 

detonation, training and tactics development, and parachute systems. 

Sea Range

The Sea Range at Point Mugu is the largest and most heavily instrumented sea and air range in the 

United States and encompasses 36,000 square miles of ocean (expandable to 196,000 square miles, 

from Big Sur south to the United States/Mexico border). The Range Operations Center is capable of 

monitoring complex full battle group fleet exercises involving aircraft, surface ships, and submarines. 

San Nicolas Island, 60 miles offshore, is used for littoral warfare training, including theater warfare 

exercises. San Nicholas Island includes launching facilities and a 10,000-foot-long runway. Point 

Mugu’s targets complex is the only facility to provide full life-cycle support for all Navy aerial and 

surface targets. The Surface Craft Division at Port Hueneme operates target boats and hulks and 

provides range surveillance and target recovery. Point Mugu’s EW capability is a core area of expertise 

and supports the electronic attack EA-6B and the new EA-18G stand-off jammer aircraft for the Navy 

and the Air Force. The latter aircraft is the only dedicated tactical EW platform in the U.S. inventory.

Environmental Stewardship

As the reader may recall, the Land Ranges encompass more than 1.1 million acres (larger than the state 

of Rhode Island) and represent more than a half of the Navy’s land worldwide. The vast majority of this 

land acts as a safety and security buffer and remains in a mostly pristine natural state. To keep it that 

way, a NAWCWD team of archeologists, ecologists, environmental engineers, and specialists under 

contract perform long-range environmental resource planning and oversee day-to-day environmental 

projects. For example, NAWCWD developed management plans for preserving endangered species 
 22 | Arming the Fleet

such as the Mojave ground squirrel, the island night lizard, the desert tortoise, and the San Nicolas 

Island fox. Policies are also in place to protect birds from aircraft, pinnipeds from missile launches, 

and wild horses and burros from potential risk on runways. In addition, locations for new facilities 

and specialized test events are carefully selected to minimize impact, and virtually every missionrelated activity is scrutinized to ensure that it complies with environmental laws and regulations. For 

example, a Final Environmental Assessment and a Finding of No Significant Impact was released in 

2008 covering all the new state-of-the-art facilities currently under construction at NAWCWD. [203]

China Lake also protects the valuable desert water sources under its management. To this end, China 

Lake developed a geographic-information-system-based photographic database for identifying and 

monitoring its 122 natural water sources.

On San Nicolas Island, isolation has resulted in the evolution of a unique ecosystem. The island is also 

the largest breeding site in the world for California sea lions. Annually, more than 23,000 elephant 

seals, 100,000 California sea lions, and 500 harbor seals use the island’s beaches. To protect that 

ecosystem, NAWCWD constructed a moveable open-ocean supply pier. This one-of-a-kind pier allows 

cargo to be transported to and from San Nicolas Island with the least amount of impact on that delicate 

environment.

Cultural Stewardship

In another effort to manage and protect its land, NAWCWD conducts cultural resource inventories to 

identify archaeological, historical, and traditional properties. To date, inventories have been completed 

on roughly 11,000 acres. One such property is a 100-square-mile collection of ancient rock art. This 

collection is the largest concentration of rock art in the world and is a National Registered Historic 

Landmark. In recognition for preserving this unique site, NAWCWD received the Governor’s Award 

for Historic Preservation. No other military installation has ever received this award. [44]
Ranges | 23

China Lake Land Ranges

Point Mugu Sea Range

IR200 Airspace Palmdale

Las

Vegas

Edwards

AFB

Lancaster

Mojave

Bakersfield

Fresno

Fort

Irwin

North

Range

South

Range

Bishop

29 Palms Marine Corps Base

Ridgecrest

Mainsite

Nellis

AFB

NAS

Lemoore Armitage

Field

Land Ranges

1,777 square miles

Barstow

N 69 miles

165 miles

153 miles

Electronic 

Combat 

Range

R-2508

Airspace

20,000 square miles

Palmdale

Lancaster

NAS 

North Island

Ridgecrest

N

R-2520

Airspace

36,000 square miles Barstow

Vandenberg

AFB

San

Clemente Island

USN 

Santa

Catalina

Island 

Santa

Barbara Is.

San Miguel Island Santa Rosa Island 

Santa 

Cruz

Island 

San Nicolas

Island

Mojave

China

Lake

Bakersfield

IR200 Airspace

Santa Barbara

Los Angeles

San Diego

Oxnard

Ventura

Sea Range

36,000 square miles

Point Mugu

Port

Hueneme

Airfield

Airfield

Sea Range expansion 

(almost unlimited ) 

via coordination with 

Navy / FAA

Edwards

AFB
 24 | Arming the Fleet

We get great support from the team here on the Land Ranges at China Lake. If we did these tests 

on ships, it would be a much higher cost. We’d have to take the ships out of port each time, costing 

thousands and thousands of dollars. Utilizing the radars and missiles needed, getting the F/A-18s 

into the air to launch missiles at us, it would be up around a million dollars. Here, we can essentially 

conduct the same type of test using the 155-mm howitzer targets and it’s very cost-effective. We can 

just shoot and shoot. At this point in our testing, we must have tactical engagements. And we can do 

that at China Lake with proven support personnel.

—Raytheon senior engineer
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 25

Laboratories and Facilities
 26 | Arming the Fleet

Advanced Weapons

Laboratory (AWL)

The F/A-18 AWL provides mission system engineering support 

for all variants of the F/A-18, coordinating all system upgrades 

and providing system engineering for F/A-18 hardware and 

software. In addition, the F/A-18 AWL develops its own 

integration and simulation laboratories, test equipment, and 

flight instrumentation. [203] [219]

Chemistry Laboratories

NAWCWD maintains a state-of-the-art research facility staffed with highly trained scientists who 

clearly understand military-specific technology and Navy needs. Laboratory personnel routinely 

conduct efforts requiring a rapid response. One example of the facility’s many unique capabilities is 

the High Target Utilization System, which can deposit uniform optical coatings at high rates over much 

larger areas than standard systems. Facilities include a large well-equipped clean room, which can be 

utilized for micro/nanofabrication. In the synthetic chemistry laboratories, the synthesis, formulation, 

and characterization of energetic materials are performed. A few notable examples of important 

developments stemming from work within these laboratories include hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane 

(CL-20), the most powerful explosive known to date and a formulation that represents a giant leap in 

the field of energetic materials; space-survivable materials, which have been tested with great success 

on the International Space Station; and biofuels that are derived from butanol and pinenes that show 

great promise as renewable high-performing fuels.

NAWCWD has more than 40 major facilities, including three airfields, with a replacement value of 

approximately $2 billion. More than 2,000 buildings encompass 6 million square feet. The state-of-theart laboratories and facilities at NAWCWD have been key elements to its success through the years. 

Ranging from the historic 1948 Michelson Laboratory to the 2010 Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory, 

NAWCWD contains the premier research and development laboratories and facilities required to 

conduct the work vital to the Navy and the Warfighter.

NAWCWD contains dozens of laboratories on its premises, many of which were built for a specific 

mission for the Warfighter but perform numerous functions to support basic and applied research and 

developmental work. The information for laboratories referenced in this section, therefore, represents 

overviews and does not necessarily highlight all functions performed for the Warfighter. 

NAWCWD also contains dozens of facilities on its premises, providing additional RDT&E capabilities 

to the Fleet. The information for the facilities referenced in this section represents overviews and does 

not cover all functions performed.

Laboratories and Facilities
Laboratories and Facilities | 27

Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory

Dedicated to the founder of the Sidewinder missile, the Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory at China 

Lake is a 177,000-square-foot laboratory that provides more than 50,000 square feet for general 

engineering, modeling and simulation (M&S), and logistics. Furthermore, this complex, which can 

accommodate more than 500 people, houses facilities for conferences and symposia. [219]

Electronic Combat

Range (ECR)

The ECR is the Navy’s principal open-air range for the T&E 

of airborne electronic combat systems. Facilities provide 

a realistic electronic combat environment, including threat 

systems and operation and range control capabilities, as well 

as instrumentation to obtain time, space, position information 

(TSPI) and telemetry, optical, and communication data. Other 

resources include data processing and display, signal monitoring, 

and calibration systems, as well as assessment and repair 

facilities for use by T&E and training customers. This complex 

is the only U.S. DoD ECR having the necessary infrastructure 

for testing against naval air defense systems and combinations 

of land and naval systems (littoral threats), either individually or as part of an integrated air defense 

system. Furthermore, the ECR is the only U.S. open-air EW range that affords realistic simulations of 

Russian naval systems and their associated shipboard command and control capabilities. As a direct 

result, TOPGUN student pilots routinely train there against realistic threat radar and SAM systems.

Fire Sciences Laboratory (FSL)

The FSL conducts small- and large-scale fire testing in support of 

shipboard aviation fire protection, weapons protection, and Navy 

and Marine Corps shore-based fire protection. The laboratory 

consists of two primary facilities, the FSL Burn Room and the 

Carrier Deck Firefighting Test Facility (Mini Deck). The FSL is 

the only Navy test facility that provides both small-scale testing 

in controlled weather conditions and full-scale fire testing on 

site with jet fuel and full flight deck conflagration environmental 

conditions. These include mass fuel spill, complete hose station 

capability, wind generation, full-scale weapons and aircraft 

simulation, and a P-25 firefighting vehicle.
 28 | Arming the Fleet

Fuze Test Facility

The Fuze Test Facility at the China Lake Propulsion Laboratories (CLPL) is a new 15,000-squarefoot renovation of two existing explosive docks. The facility, operational in fiscal year 2011, provides 

laboratory space for performing fuze ordnance assessments. 

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) Facility

The HWIL Facility at China Lake is a new 17,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility that contains 

two large radio frequency (RF)-shielded anechoic chambers. This facility also provides supporting 

laboratories for the ESSM and Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Programs.

In-Service Engineering Laboratory

The In-Service Engineering Laboratory at China Lake is a new 20,000‐square-foot laboratory that 

provides support for in-service engineering sustainment and maintenance with functions from other 

activities. [219]

Insensitive Munitions (IM) Facilities

The IM facilities at China Lake provide a secure and safe environment for destructive tests of weapon 

systems. These tests evaluate munitions reactions from ambient to hot temperatures, extreme immediate 

hot temperature, rough handling, and hostile environment impacts. Facilities are secure and free from 

encroachment and frequently provide data for Army and Air Force testing to evaluate and provide 

safety margin data prior to full-scale manufacturing approval. In explosives tests conducted at the 

facility’s research and development areas, more than 100 tons of ammunition has been detonated to 

simulate ammunition ship or magazine accidents.

Integrated Battlespace Arena (IBAR)

The IBAR is an advanced simulation facility. Nine 

interconnected laboratories and facilities provide simulation 

and analysis—from the subcomponent to theater levels—with 

a degree of fidelity, flexibility, and dependability unparalleled 

in the DoD. Facilities are linked worldwide with multiple fiberoptic networks, including the Secure Internet Protocol Router 

Network (SIPRNET) and Defense Research and Engineering 

Network (DREN). In addition, the complex offers extensive 

range microwave telecommunication capabilities. The Virtual 

Prototyping Facility has the Navy’s first cockpit simulation that 

includes communications to and from the simulated aircraft 

to the weapons! If live assets are not available, the IBAR can 

simulate any aircraft, weapon, target, or terrain. Information is networked or data linked through 

communication systems from any ground, air, or sea platform. The Precision Engagement Center 
Laboratories and Facilities | 29

provides effective targeting and engagement capabilities so that the U.S. military and allied forces 

can model and rehearse tactical operations and fire integration. In the ongoing War on Terror, IBAR 

contributes significantly in countering radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (IEDs), EW 

systems, and unmanned systems (UxS). IBAR engineers and analysts developed a geo-referenced 

database to register and correlate tactical imagery terrain models based on a database maintained by 

the U.S. National Imaging and Mapping Agency. The database is used in theater to control raw tactical 

imagery from which users quickly calculate the precise location of items of interest. The database was 

used with great success in Kosovo and Iraq and is now being used in Afghanistan operations.

Interoperability Test and

Experimentation Complex (ITEC)

The ITEC at Point Mugu links command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence 

systems during live fire and simulated test events in a controlled, closely monitored range environment. 

By linking test, training, experimentation, and evaluation assets with live- and synthetic-exercise 

resources, the ITEC provides a meeting place for the laboratory and warfighters, thereby enabling a 

flexible mix of laboratory control and operation dynamics. The ITEC is one of only a few facilities 

within the DoD that offers a land-based Link-16 capability in a littoral setting.

Joint Counter-IED

Facility (JCIF)

The JCIF is a specialized facility dedicated entirely to the 

RDT&E of anti-IED tactics and technologies. It is employed 

exclusively to produce and deliver “actionable” information 

pertaining to the performance and compatibility characteristics 

of counter remote-controlled-IED electronic warfare systems. 

Terrorism has created its own specialized arsenal of handmade, 

or improvised, bombs. These devices, often crude in nature, are 

very inexpensive to build and very deadly to our warfighters. 

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, these bombs have been the 

primary cause of United States casualties. In 2005, the Secretary 

of Defense directed the establishment of the Joint Improvised 

Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), which then 

directed China Lake to begin developing the JCIF. The Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) 

Technical Project Office (TPO) provides daily updates and engineering analysis to fielded forces 

globally. Information turnaround is as short as 12 hours. The majority of testing is in direct support of 

requests for information that are generated in theater and prioritized by Combatant Commanders. 
 30 | Arming the Fleet

Junction Ranch

Junction Ranch provides radar cross section (RCS), microwave 

measurement, and supporting functions to the Warfighter. 

This facility maintains a small efficient workforce who works 

closely with customers; active testing participation is invited 

and encouraged. Multiple test capabilities are available in one 

location. Data turnaround is quick, and the facility is capable 

of supporting competing contractors. Junction Ranch is 

unique because of its location and radar capability. Due to its 

remote secure location, there is a minimum level of spurious 

electromagnetic interference, thus ensuring the highest data 

quality possible. Surrounded by mountains, the 65-squaremile range and facilities provide precision outdoor RCS 

measurements of models and real targets, including air, ground, and sea vehicles; very low observables 

(VLOs); ship models and components; missiles; tactical ballistic missiles; reentry vehicles; ground 

vehicles; and plumes. The facility is also used to measure antenna patterns and to develop state-of-theart capabilities in radar, software, and VLO target support functions. This facility can accommodate all 

levels of security classifications, and environmental clearances are in place to meet customer needs.

Kenneth I. Lichti Range

Operations Center

The Kenneth I. Lichti Range Operations Center, located at Point Mugu, is a joint range operations 

complex built in 2004. This 11.5-million-dollar project includes a 30,000-square-foot multistory 

structure to house Sea Range test planning, scheduling, and critical data collection functions and 

equipment, as well as operational synthesis instrumentation and software for interconnectivity of 

weapons development, test, and evaluation. Also located therein are flight termination systems that 

can take control of the test articles and then destroy them if they go outside a predetermined envelope. 

The new warfare concept capabilities of the range center link laboratories and test ranges worldwide 

to evaluate and improve missiles and weapons for real and simulated battlefield threats. Adjacent to 

the 36,000-square-mile Point Mugu Sea Range, this addition offers military branches of the DoD 

and allied forces a multitude of large-scale training involving 

air-to-air, air-to-surface, surface-to-surface, and surface-to-air 

exercises. [203]

Laguna Peak Complex

The Laguna Peak Complex at Point Mugu is located on a 

1,500-foot-high mountain and provides an elevated line-of-sight 

location for overlapping coverage of the Sea Range. The facility 

provides optics coverage, telemetry, airborne and surface target 
Laboratories and Facilities | 31

control, radio communication and data transmission, surveillance radar, and a command transmitter 

system (CTS) for command destruct. Laguna Peak is also a primary site for range safety CTS for all 

ballistic missile launches from Vandenberg AFB.

Lauritsen Laboratory

The Lauritsen Laboratory at China Lake is primarily devoted to engineering and research activities, 

including constructing a direct current plasma jet reactor for diamond deposition. This device produces 

diamond film, which researchers are developing to grow on metals to create diamond-coated ball 

bearings and other long-wearing, low-friction applications. [203]

Michelson Laboratory

Michelson Laboratory, which was built in the late 1940s, is one of the primary research complexes at 

China Lake. This premier facility provides 9.5 acres of floor space and houses an astounding array of 

talented technicians, engineers, scientists, and program managers with specialized knowledge, talents, 

and expertise. The laboratory is equipped to support basic and applied research in physics, chemistry, 

aerophysics, metallurgy, and ballistics, as well as development work in propulsion, fire-control, and 

guidance systems for rockets. This one-of-a-kind resource provides the infrastructure and intellectual 

capital to advance the state of the art in RDT&E. During its 60-year history, countless weapons were 

developed within its walls, including Sidewinder, Spike, and Tactical Tomahawk. [203]

Missile Engagement Simulation

Arena (MESA)

The MESA measures the electromagnetic interaction of a sensory system (fuze or guidance) with 

its intended target. It provides cost-effective, timely, and accurate dynamic missile engagement test 

data. Missile fuzes are tested against various targets, including full-scale fighter aircraft, in a secure, 

controlled laboratory environment with all-weather, around-the-clock operational capabilities. It is the 

only facility of its kind that provides a cost-effective and accurate method of developing, testing, and 

assessing the performance of proximity fuze systems; validating fuze models and endgame simulations; 

studying the survivability of platforms; and making live fire test and evaluation (LFT&E) predictions. 

The ability to model encounters with threat targets under realistic and varied conditions and under 

laboratory conditions sets this facility apart from outdoor backscatter ranges. 

Optics and Laser

Research Facility

The Optics and Laser Research Facility is located in Lauritsen Laboratory at China Lake. Within 

this valuable resource, personnel conduct RDT&E on optical materials, components, subsystems, and 

laser systems. The facility provides cost and time savings to projects because of the rapid prototype 
 32 | Arming the Fleet

fabrication capability. One example is the production of the 16‐inch IR range telescopes that were 

fabricated at less than half the cost of the commercial estimates, with the first prototypes delivered 

within only 3 months. [203]

Ordnance and Propulsion Laboratories

The Ordnance and Propulsion Laboratories at China Lake represent the Navy’s most comprehensive 

and truly unique center for research and development of missile propulsion, ordnance, and fuzing. 

This complex provides a one-stop shop for propulsion and ordnance efforts, including the synthesis of 

ingredients for propellant and explosives for incorporation into weapon systems, as well as the design 

of warheads, bombs, fuzes, and rocket motors. [203]

Radar Reflectivity

Laboratory (RRL)

The RRL, located at Point Mugu, has three indoor anechoic 

chambers designed for both near- and far-field monostatic 

and vertical- and horizontal-plane bistatic RCS measurements 

at frequencies from very high to millimeter waves. These 

anechoic chambers provide a test facility designed to minimize 

the reflections from the interior walls, ceiling, and floor to 

provide equivalent free-space conditions for performing 

pristine measurements. Pertinent testing includes far-field RCS; 

monostatic and bistatic RCS measurements of full-size missiles, 

targets, and components; and scale-model aircraft and ships for survivability analyses, weapons system 

flight tests, production/quality assurance testing, diagnostic testing, and the development of scattering 

models. [203]

Radiographic Inspection Facilities (RIFs)

The RIFs conduct baseline inspections to determine conformance, quality, anomalies, and failure 

analysis in the inspection of very large ordnance items. X-ray testing is conducted and documentation 

is prepared regarding the internal configuration of existing and prototype ordnance and non-ordnance 

items. Frequently referred to as “the world’s largest X-ray,” the high energy computed tomography 

inspection system, with digital imaging capability, is used to X-ray systems measuring up to 86 inches 

in diameter and 27 feet in length and weighing up to 130,000 pounds. It is one of only four highly 

specialized machines in the United States capable of X-raying the largest submarine-launched ballistic 

missiles (SLBMs) in the Navy’s inventory. In addition, the conventional X-ray facility operates the 

only operational Betatron 23-million-electron-volt magnetic inductance accelerator in the United 

States. The RIFs support inspections associated with static firings of rocket motors and large bombs 

and provide a means to conduct diagnostic inspections. This facility is invaluable in providing quality 

assurance testing for the various large bomb systems deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The Tomahawk 
Laboratories and Facilities | 33

and weapons from various missile intercept programs for Navy and Air Force Programs are regularly 

tested here. The RIFs are also utilized to evaluate the new Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb. 

Skytop Propulsion Complex

Skytop provides the infrastructure to conduct static test firings 

of solid-propellant rocket engines, gas generators, and ignition 

systems, both fielded and developmental. Evaluations at Skytop 

include those for rocket motors being qualified for future use 

in complete weapon systems. Also performed there are aging 

and surveillance studies to ensure that deployed motors are 

maintaining specific design capabilities. The multidisciplinary 

technical team at Skytop is highly trained. Full-scale all-upround motor experimentation is conducted on weapon systems 

with up to 2 million pounds of thrust and as large as 92 inches 

in diameter. Developmental and production acceptance tests, as well as aging motor studies of the 

Navy’s submarine-launched Fleet ballistic missiles, have been performed at Skytop, thus ensuring 

that the United States has the most reliable strategic deterrent system in existence. Skytop has been 

instrumental in the developmental testing of most tactical air- and surface-launched weapons currently 

in use by the Fleet. 

Supersonic Naval Ordnance

Research Track (SNORT)

The SNORT is a 4-mile-long dual-rail precision-alignment track for the testing of rockets, guided 

missiles, model and full-scale aircraft, and components under free-flight conditions at velocities from 

subsonic through supersonic. The SNORT is the second longest and fastest supersonic sled track in 

the world. In fact, items being tested on the track can reach speeds up to 6,000 feet per second. Testing 

is extremely cost-effective because SNORT combines many advantages of laboratory testing with 

dynamic free-flight testing and allows test article recovery. Tests performed thereon include longduration runs and controlled deceleration, aircrew safety, terminal ballistics, rain erosion, vehicle and 

barrier, aeroballistics, damage and destruction, and soft recovery assessments. Complex multiple target 

penetration tests using live high-explosive-filled warheads are also conducted. Recently, the cleared 

target areas at the end of and surrounding the track have been used for IED detection testing. The 

cleared areas offer a secure, controlled environment to test ground- and airborne-detection and disposal 

methods. 

Thompson Laboratory

The Thompson Laboratory at China Lake was named after China Lake’s first civilian Technical Director,

Dr. L.T.E. Thompson. Thompson Laboratory is primarily devoted to engineering and research activities, 

such as developing HARM’s Block 3A missile guidance software. [203]
 34 | Arming the Fleet

Weapons and Armaments

Technology Laboratory

The Weapons and Armaments Technology Laboratory is a new facility at China Lake that opened in 

2011. This complex is a 75,000-square-foot facility that contains high-bay and small-bay laboratories 

to support equipment functions. The laboratory provides logistics weapon support capabilities. [219]

Weapons Dynamic RDT&E Center

The Weapons Dynamic RDT&E Center, a new facility at China Lake, provides dynamic testing of 

all Navy weapon systems, ranging from all-up rounds to components in all life-cycle configurations. 

This 7,200-square-foot facility provides vibration testing for transportation, shock, shipboard, and 

aircraft. [219]

Weapons Survivability

Laboratory (WSL) 

The WSL is the Navy’s field activity for weapon system 

nonnuclear survivability, weapons lethality, and LFT&E 

assessments. Therein, survivability testing is conducted for 

all three major services. The WSL is the largest LFT&E 

facility in the world, encompassing five major test sites 

capable of supporting full-scale test articles. This complex 

also includes an underground site to evaluate smaller-scale 

articles. It is the only facility with three High-Velocity 

Airflow Systems (HIVASs) generating flight-representative 

airflow to operating aircraft. The Missile Engagement Threat Simulator is a high-pressure gas 

gun capable of precisely delivering “live” man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) 

and other projectiles at high velocities. The threat of one person toting an inexpensive 

IR-guided shoulder-launched missile and successfully destroying a military aircraft is real! For example, 

during Desert Storm, several F/A‐18 and A-10 aircraft incurred major structural damage from SAMs 

but, fortunately, managed to return safely to base. In addition, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, when 

Afghan forces attacked al-Qaeda and Taliban holdouts in one of the biggest battles of the War in 

Afghanistan, seven Apache helicopters were attacked. However, the aircraft had been redesigned based 

on WSL LFT&E findings; and, although they were hit, all seven managed to fly home.
Laboratories and Facilities | 35

Weapons Systems Center for

Integration (WSCI)

The WSCI, a China Lake facility that opened in 2010, provides a focal point for weapon development 

and testing, including weapon M&S, mission-level engineering, and integration. The facility contains 

four secure laboratories within more than 10,000 square feet of laboratory space. [219]

Weapons Systems Support

Activities (WSSAs)

The WSSAs at China Lake afford weapon system support. The WSSA facilities offer a fully controllable 

environment for executing regression tests and problem investigations. The facility is the only DoD 

facility that possesses a software development capability, as well as weapon system integration, for 

the F-14 aircraft. The WSSAs provide periodic functional upgrades due to changing threats, roles, and 

missions, as well as to correct latent defects or to replace obsolete parts.
 36 | Arming the Fleet

 In extensive peer-rating surveys conducted by the Office of the Chief of Naval

 Material in the 1970s, China Lake was rated the top Navy laboratory.

—Office of the Chief of Naval Material, 1970s

Mugu was on the leading edge of the missile age.

—Rear Admiral C. C. Andrews (U.S. Navy, Ret.)
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 37

Weapons
 38 | Arming the Fleet

Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air

Missile (AMRAAM)

The AIM-120 AMRAAM is an all-aspect medium-range 

air-to-air radar-guided missile designed for air superiority. 

Specifically, the AMRAAM targets threat air superiority 

fighters. AMRAAM development began in 1975 to follow 

and improve upon the AIM-7 Sparrow. Enhancements over 

Sparrow include a higher speed; greater range; increased 

maneuverability, reliability, and maintainability; an active 

radar seeker; and better electronic countermeasure resistance. 

During development, NAWCWD provided developmental 

testing, operational testing, aircraft integration testing, performance evaluations, reliability assessments, 

Fleet introductions, and logistics support. The U.S. Navy declared AMRAAM operational in 1993, and 

China Lake continues to support this weapon today. [204]

NAWCWD’s current role includes development and engineering support, T&E, platform integration, 

and Fleet logistics and training. In that capacity, NAWCWD affords vital assitance to the Navy’s 

Combat Archer Program and the Navy Weapon Systems Users Program, which evaluate the total airto-air weapon system capability. Specific China Lake milestones include the first AMRAAM fired 

from an F-22 and EA-18G. In 2008, the newest AMRAAM, AIM-120D, completed its last year in 

developmental flight testing with 16 captive-carry flights and 4 launches on the NAWCWD Land and 

Sea Ranges. [12] [172]

AMRAAM’s first combat kill came during Operation Southern Watch in 1992. To date, AMRAAM 

has shot down a total of nine enemy aircraft, six of which were Serbian aircraft in Operation Allied 

Force. [204]

Phoenix

The AIM-54 Phoenix was an all-weather long-range air-to-air 

radar-guided missile designed to counter the threat of Soviet 

bombers attacking naval carriers. The first variant, AIM-54A, 

became operational in 1974, followed more than a decade later 

by the upgraded AIM-54C in 1985. The AIM-54C contained 

a number of improvements, including a programmable digital 

signal processor, a digital autopilot, a strap-down inertial 

measurement unit, a solid-state transmitter/receiver for the radar, 

and a new rocket motor for increased range (approximately 

92 miles). Combined, these improvements significantly 

increased the Phoenix’s chance of intercepting a high-flying, 

fast-diving air-to-surface antiship missile. The Phoenix was 

Weapons

Air-to-Air Missiles
Weapons | 39

deployed only on the F-14 Tomcat platform, but that aircraft could carry and fire six Phoenix missiles 

simultaneously. In fact, an F-14 at Point Mugu demonstrated this very capability by firing all six of its 

missiles at six different targets in 38 seconds. NAWCWD’s role in this weapon system was in the area 

of test, evaluation, and technical and design support. [27] [204]

In the 1980s, the Navy developed the Phoenix into an extended-range air-to-air missile called the 

Advanced Air-to-Air Missile. Relying heavily on China Lake efforts, the Navy initiated the Advanced 

Common Intercept Missile Demonstration of the technology and hardware to support the nextgeneration Phoenix. However, with the end of the Cold War in 1990, the threat of Soviet bombers was 

significantly diminished, a situation that, in turn, dramatically reduced the need for a missile of this 

kind. Therefore, in 1992, the program was canceled.

Sidewinder

The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a short-range air-to-air guided missile 

used to engage all types of jet aircraft and helicopters. The 

basic Sidewinder airframe shape and design remain essentially 

unchanged since the first-generation variant, the AIM‐9B, 

entered service with the U.S. Navy in 1956. However, there is 

a continuing product improvement program constantly devising 

new and advanced variants. Highlights from this program 

include a semi-active laser seeker on the AIM‐9C; greatly 

increased reliability on the AIM‐9L; a superior countermeasures 

capability on the AIM‐9M; and a new cryogenic cooler 

system, also on the AIM‐9M. Today, Sidewinder is in its fifth 

generation with the AIM‐9X, which has several enhanced capabilities, including extremely high offboresight acquisition and launch envelopes, an agile thrust-vector-controlled airframe, a staring focal 

plane array sensor, and increased range. It should be noted that many of the concepts found in the

AIM‐9X, like thrust vector control and the high off-boresight capability, were first applied decades 

earlier to another China Lake missile, the XAIM-95 Agile. Agile was intended as a replacement for 

Sidewinder, but the technology proved too costly, and the project was abandoned in favor of further 

Sidewinder enhancements. [46] [144] [204]

In addition to the linear developmental path of Sidewinder as an air-intercept missile, there are also 

a few divergent paths that led to new uses for Sidewinder. Some examples include the high-altitude 

performance variant, a Sidewinder with a Sparrow propulsion unit that could engage high-altitude, 

high-speed targets; SideARM, an air-to-surface ARM based on AIM-9C; the Rolling Airframe Missile 

(RAM), a ship-launched point defense missile based on Sidewinder’s rocket motor, fuze, and warhead; 

and Chaparral, the Army’s surface-launched variant.

China Lake conceived, designed, and developed the Sidewinder in the early 1950s under the direction 

of Dr. William B. McLean and continues to employ a similar full-spectrum capability today. For 

example, NAWCWD is exploring a new warhead and a new rocket motor for a possible AIM-9X 
 40 | Arming the Fleet

Block III missile that is under consideration, helping to develop 

a new active optical target detector, continuing flight tests on the 

AIM-9X Block II, and refurbishing AIM-9M all-up rounds for 

FMS. Sidewinder remains a major foundation for technological 

developments at China Lake, and, as such, the two remain 

inextricably interconnected. [172]

Sidewinder was first deployed in combat when Nationalist 

Chinese forces engaged the Communist Chinese Air Force over 

the straits of Formosa in 1958. Its first large-scale use came 

during the conflict in Vietnam, where Sidewinder was credited 

with the majority of air-to-air kills. Today, all U.S. and allied 

fighter aircraft operating in support of Operation Enduring Freedom carry Sidewinder. [141] [204]

Sparrow

The AIM-7 Sparrow is an all-aspect medium-range air-to-air radar-guided missile. The Sparrow began 

in the 1940s in a Sperry Gyroscope Company program known as Project Hotshot. The objective was 

to develop a radar-beam-riding missile, which was designated AAM-N-2. The missile achieved its 

first direct hit in 1952—the first U.S. kill of an airborne target by an air-launched vehicle. The missile 

achieved another significant first in 1955, when it was successfully launched against a high-speed 

target. Sparrow I entered service in 1956 but was never a success because it was restricted to visualrange engagements only because of the beam-riding guidance system that was slaved to an optical 

sight in the cockpit. To correct this discrepancy, attempts were made to develop an active radar-guided 

Sparrow (Sparrow II), but this technology was ahead of its time, and the program was canceled in favor 

of a semi-active radar-guided Sparrow (Sparrow III). This version of Sparrow (now designated the 

AIM-7C) entered the Fleet in 1958 and formed the basis for all future generations of Sparrow. [50] [136] [204]

Point Mugu was involved in evaluating every variant of Sparrow 

since its inception. Those efforts included the first successful 

test, in which Sparrow I rode a radar beam; the first air launch 

of Sparrow I, II, and III; and the first kill for all three variants. 

China Lake began working on Sparrow in the early 1970s, after 

its disappointing performance during the conflict in Vietnam. 

China Lake resolved the performance and reliability problems 

encountered and assisted in the development of a second source 

for production as tasked but also initiated design corrections 

and improved the documentation package for the system. 

The result was “a greatly reworked high-performance, highly 

reliable, lower-cost Sparrow missile system.” Today, most of 

NAWCWD’s efforts with Sparrow focus on the SeaSparrow and the ESSM. [50] [141]

The first combat kill by a Sparrow came in 1965 when the U.S. Navy shot down two North Vietnamese 

MiG-17s. In all, more than 50 aircraft were shot down by Sparrow during the Vietnam conflict. Sparrow 

was last used in combat during Operation Desert Storm, in which approximately 25 Iraqi aircraft were 

successfully engaged and defeated.
Weapons | 41

The “Eye” Series

In its capacity as the Navy’s lead laboratory for freefall weapons, China Lake developed the “Eye” series of 

weapons in the early 1960s to improve the Navy’s airattack capability. Weapons in the “Eye” series include 

Briteye, Deneye, Fireye, Gladeye, Padeye, Sadeye, and 

Snakeye; however, Walleye and Rockeye (specifically the 

Mk 20 Rockeye II cluster bomb unit [CBU]) stand out as 

having had the greatest impact on the Fleet.

The AGM-62 Walleye, a precision-guided air-to-surface 

glide bomb based around the Mk 83 general purpose bomb, 

was intended primarily for use against soft, stationary targets. The Walleye II, based around the 

2,000-pound Mk 84, was designed to increase Walleye’s effectiveness against hard targets. Each 

Walleye also came with an extended-range variant to increase standoff capability. Conceived, 

designed, developed, and tested by China Lake in the early 1960s (the weapon was fielded in 

1967), Walleye was the first precision-guided air-to-surface weapon. A small television camera 

mounted in the nose of the bomb transmitted images to the cockpit, where the pilot could designate 

an aimpoint and release the bomb. After release, it would direct itself to the target, thereby 

allowing the pilot to turn away from the aimpoint in true fire-and-forget fashion. Although no 

longer in service, the Walleye proved to be a milestone in guided weapon systems. [204]

The Mk 20 Rockeye II CBU is an unguided free-fall cluster weapon intended for use against 

tanks and armored vehicles. A follow-on after the canceled Mk 12 Rockeye I Program, the 

Rockeye II was fielded 1 year after Walleye. While there are several different tactical munitions 

dispensers, the Rockeye II is the most widely used and has been in high-rate production for many 

years. Rockeye serves as the backbone for the CBU-59 Antipersonnel/Anti-Materiel (APAM) 

and CBU-78/B Gator bombs, which are still in service today. During Operation Desert Storm, the 

U.S. Navy, Marines, and Air Force dropped a staggering 27,987 Rockeyes. [204]

Fuel-Air Explosive (FAE) Weapons

FAE weapons use an explosive charge to create an aerosol cloud of fuel in the air, which is 

then ignited by a detonator, thereby creating high overpressure useful against soft targets in 

protected areas, such as personnel in trenches, as well as clearing mine fields and landing zones. 

China Lake had full-spectrum capability on several FAE weapons, including the CBU‐55A/B, 

CBU‐72/B, BLU-95, BLU-96, APAM, and several others.

The first FAE weapon was the CBU-55/B. It was a 500-pound CBU loaded with three BLU‐73/B 

bomblets containing ethylene oxide liquid fuel that creates an aerosol cloud roughly 45 feet 

in diameter and 8 feet thick. It entered service with the U.S. Marine Corps in 1969 and saw 

Air-to-Surface Munitions
 42 | Arming the Fleet

immediate action in Vietnam clearing mine fields. In 1971, 

after extensive operational testing in Vietnam, this weapon 

was adopted by the U.S. Navy and was last used during the 

Gulf War in Iraq to clear mine fields. The CBU‐55/B could 

be deployed only by low-speed or rotary-wing aircraft, so 

China Lake developed a low-drag version that could be 

deployed from high-speed fixed-winged aircraft. The new 

variant, redesignated CBU-72/B, went into service for the 

U.S. Navy at the same time as the CBU‐55/B and was also 

last used in active service in the Gulf War. China Lake 

also produced the BLU-95/B (500-pound) and BLU‐96/B 

(1,000-pound) FAE II weapons. Both bombs served the 

same purpose and could launch from the same platforms as the CBU-55/B and CBU‐72/B but 

contained propylene fuel. A surface-launched FAE was also developed by China Lake to clear 

safe paths through mined areas, a feat particularly suited for FAEs because they could be used in 

proximity to friendly forces due to their lack of long-range fragments. [204]

Gator

Gator is an antipersonnel, antitank air-to-surface unguided 

munitions delivery system used by the U.S. Navy, 

Marine Corps, and Air Force against area targets such as 

tanks, armored vehicles, trucks, radar installations, SAM 

sites, parked aircraft, and other materiel. Gator mines 

have a programmable self-destruct feature that permits 

the battlefield commander to control the timing of a 

counterattack or defensive maneuver. The Navy’s CBU‐78/B 

Gator is a 500-pound cluster weapon that uses the Mk 7 

Rockeye dispenser, while the Air Force’s CBU-89 Gator is a 

1,000-pound cluster munition.

Gator is the successor of Deneye, an antitank mine delivery 

system developed by China Lake in the early 1960s as part of the “Eye” series of free-fall 

weapons. Though Deneye never reached production, Gator began production in 1982 and is still 

in service today. To make Gator a reality, China Lake helped adapt Army-developed land mines 

to Navy and Air Force dispensers. NAWCWD is currently responsible for in‐service engineering 

and logistics support.

During Operation Desert Storm, China Lake increased Gator weapon delivery by a factor of four. 

Gator performed so well that United States forces employed more than 1,000 Gators to limit 

the mobility of the Iraqi Army and hamper Iraqi movement in areas known to hide Scud missile 

launchers. 

General Purpose Bombs 

The Mk 80 weapon series, which include the 250‐pound (Mk 81), 500-pound (Mk 82), 

1,000-pound (Mk 83), and 2,000-pound (Mk 84) bombs, are free-fall air-to-surface unguided 

general purpose bombs. The Mk 80 series were developed in the 1950s in response to the need 
Weapons | 43

for bombs possessing less aerodynamic drag for operation 

on jet aircraft. The bombs are fitted with one of several 

nose or tail fuzes to meet specific tactical needs, such as 

fragmentation, blast, cratering, or penetration. The Mk 80 

series have undergone several modifications, generally minor 

in nature and mainly concerned with the explosive filling, 

fuzing, and delivery methods. Two notable changes include 

several types of retarding tail units developed to aid delivery 

during high-speed, low-level attacks, as well as the addition 

of PBXN‐109 insensitive high-explosive fill. Mk 80 series 

bombs with this fill were redesignated BLU‐111, BLU-110, 

and BLU-117, respectively. General purpose bombs are used 

against an extensive array of targets, including artillery, trucks, bunkers, Scuds, and SAM sites. 

China Lake and Point Mugu have been actively involved with RDT&E of bombs since World 

War II. Consequently, China Lake became the Navy’s lead laboratory for free-fall weapons in the 

early 1960s. Today, NAWCWD’s involvement continues apace with the Insensitive Munitions 

(IM) Bomb Project, the LCDB, and the Cast Ductile Iron Practice Bomb. [172] [204]

The IM Bomb Project is a joint U.S. Air Force/U.S. Navy effort to develop a common design 

and explosive for general purpose bombs that will meet new and demanding IM requirements. 

The first phase focused on improving fast and slow cookoff responses. To this end, NAWCWD 

engineers designed, developed, analyzed, and incorporated an aft vent plate design into all three 

weight variants. The team adopted a collaborative systems approach, thus enabling them to 

devise a low-risk, cost-effective solution affording the highest value to the Navy and Air Force. 

In addition to the aft vent plate, NAWCWD scientists supported the Air Force with analysis 

and qualification of a new explosive for the 2,000-pound bomb and devised a forward fuzewell 

release system for the 500-pound bomb that may be used in the 1,000-pound bomb as well. 

Testing indicated that the fast and slow cookoff reactions satisfied the pertinent criteria. The 

next phase of IM improvements, designed to mitigate the reaction of the bombs to external shock 

stimuli, began in 2010 and will continue through 2013. [172]

Designated the BLU-126/B, the LCDB was developed by 

NAWCWD in 2007 in response to a Fleet need for closeair support in urban environments, where the reduction 

of collateral damage is paramount. The BLU-126/B is 

externally identical to the 500-pound BLU-111 but contains 

less explosive mass, thereby resulting in a 90% decrease in 

the number of fragments generated and a greater than 50% 

reduction in the range in which collateral damage occurs. 

Because the LCDB is a modification to an existing weapon 

and, as a result, does not require unique support, it is a highly 

cost-effective weapon. At the end of 2008, IM Bomb Project 

design improvements were integrated into the BLU-126/B, 
 44 | Arming the Fleet

and IM testing was done on the resulting BLU-126A/B. LCDB was transitioned to the Single 

Manager for Conventional Ammunition on 24 June 2009. [172]

In partnership with the U.S. Air Force, NAWCWD is developing new live and practice 500-, 

1,000-, and 2,000-pound bomb bodies. This effort is an attempt to expand the industrial base for 

the Mk 80 series bomb bodies, provide an alternative to the current single source, and allow for 

a competitive environment to reduce unit cost. Historically, general purpose bomb bodies were 

made of forged steel, but there are few producers of this kind of body, and fabrication is timeconsuming and costly. New cast ductile iron techniques mitigate these problems, eliminate the 

need for concrete filler in practice bombs, and allow those same practice bombs to be rebuilt and 

reused. The 500- and 2,000-pound bomb bodies are in production, and development and testing 

on the 1,000-pound bomb body began in 2010. [172]

General purpose bombs are used repeatedly by U.S. forces in combat. There is no better example 

of that fact than the U.S. Air Force report stating that its service alone used approximately 

114,000 Mk 80 series bombs over the course of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert 

Storm. The first LCDB drop occurred during Operation Iraqi Freedom in July 2007, and the 

bomb performed exactly as designed. [172] [204]

Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)

The JDAM is a low-cost strap-on GPS/inertial navigation 

system (INS) guidance kit that converts free-fall air-tosurface unguided bombs, or “dumb” bombs, into accurately 

guided “smart” munitions. JDAM was developed to meet 

the need for an adverse-weather, accurate-strike capability 

in response to lessons learned during Operation Desert 

Storm. JDAMs upgrade the existing inventory of 500-pound 

Mk 82, 1,000-pound Mk 83, and 2,000-pound Mk 84 general 

purpose unitary bombs and the BLU-109 2,000-pound hardtarget penetrator bombs. [172] [204]

The JDAM is a joint U.S. Air Force/U.S. Navy weapon 

system, with the U.S. Air Force acting as the lead service. NAWCWD serves as the Navy’s lead 

field activity for JDAM, while also providing Fleet technical support, as well as support for 

contractor testing, mission planning and development, and logistics. NAWCWD played a major 

role in the integration of JDAM on several platforms, including the F/A-18C/D/E/F; the F-14B/D; 

the AV-8B; and, in 2009, the MQ‐9 Reaper. In the late 1990s, NAWCWD demonstrated the Direct 

Attack Munition Affordable Seeker (DAMASK) concept, which sought to improve JDAM’s 

10-meter accuracy to 3-meter circular error probability. Although a contract was awarded in 

2003, funding was cut in 2004, and the effort was transferred to the U.S. Navy’s Small-Diameter 

Bomb (SDB) Program. Working closely with the Air Force at Eglin, NAWCWD also helped field 

the Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) system in October of 2008. This system was 

designed to address a gap in engaging moving targets by retrofitting a precision laser guidance 
Weapons | 45

kit to existing GBU-38 series JDAMs. Due to the success of 

DAMASK and LJDAM, NAWCWD was once again selected 

to participate in the development, test, and evaluation of 

another JDAM variant—the JDAM Assault Breaching 

System (JABS). Designed for use in littoral environments, 

JABS will incorporate a prototype warhead and the existing 

JDAM guidance kit to neutralize mines ahead of U.S. forces 

by firing darts from a submunition dispenser. It is a followon effort from a successful demonstration conducted in 

2008 in which Mk 84 JDAMs were released into 40- and 

25-foot-deep ponds constructed on the China Lake ranges. 

Prototypes of this weapon are scheduled for demonstration 

in fiscal year 2014. [22] [172] [204]

The JDAM was first deployed in 1999 during Operation Allied Force in Kosovo, where at least 

50% cloud cover existed for more than 70% of the time. It was during this time that JDAM 

proved its accuracy and all-weather capability, with an 89% hit rate reported by the Air Force. Its 

track record in Kosovo led to JDAM’s extensive use throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom. More 

than 6,500 JDAMs were dropped during Operation Iraqi Freedom. JDAM use increased further 

in Operation Enduring Freedom, with more than 7,000 drops by Air Force and Navy against 

Taliban al-Qaeda targets. [55] [204]

Laser-Guided Bombs (LGBs)

LGBs are air-to-surface precision-guided bombs designed 

for use against all types of surface targets. As the name 

implies, LGBs use a nose-mounted laser guidance and control 

system in concert with tail fins to direct the weapon to the 

target. U.S. Navy variants include the GBU‐10 (2,000-pound 

Paveway II), GBU-12 (500-pound Paveway II), GBU-16 

(1,000-pound Paveway II), and the GBU-24 (2,000-pound 

Paveway III). [204]

China Lake’s work with 

LGBs began in the late 

1960s while helping the 

Air Force adapt its Pave Knife laser target designator pod to 

the Navy’s A-6 aircraft. In the 1980s, China Lake developed 

a rocket-propelled version of the GBU-16 that went into 

production in 1985 as the AGM-123 Skipper. More recently, 

NAWCWD designed, tested, and built the BLU-116A/B 

warhead for the hard-target penetrator LGB designated 

GBU-24G/B and developed the Dual-Mode Laser-Guided 
 46 | Arming the Fleet

Bomb (DMLGB) in a successful quick-response effort in which 4,000 DMLGBs were delivered. 

In 2005, NAWCWD began an effort to improve the impact accuracy of the Laser-Guided Training 

Round. Hardware and software changes were made, testing was performed, and deliveries went 

to the Fleet in 2006. Today, NAWCWD continues to play a vital full-spectrum role in LGBs, 

including cradle-to-grave responsibility for the GBU-24E/B. [172]

In an often repeated quote, it was said that “[in] World War II it could take 9,000 bombs to hit a 

target the size of an aircraft shelter. In Vietnam, 300. Today, we can do it with one laser-guided 

munition...” For that reason, LGBs played a significant role in the major conflicts of the 20th 

century and continue to do so in the 21st. For example, 8,400 LGBs were used in the Gulf War, 

while more than 8,600 were used in Operation Iraqi Freedom. [206]

Air-to-Surface Missiles

Bulldog

The AGM-83 Bulldog was an air-to-surface laser-guided 

missile designed for use in close-air support by the 

U.S. Marine Corps. Bulldog’s large delivery envelope, longrange and low-altitude fire capability, and low cost made it 

ideal for destroying small ships, bridges, tanks, and similar 

stationary and mobile targets. [205]

The AGM-83 was conceived, designed, and developed 

by China Lake as a replacement weapon for the AGM‐12 

Bullpup, which was used considerably in Vietnam but had 

several operational problems. Designed around the Bullpup 

airframe, the Bulldog incorporated components from existing weapon systems wherever possible, 

including a significant amount of Sidewinder technology for the guidance system. The Bulldog 

solved the problem of using liquid fuel aboard aircraft carriers by the incorporation of the Mk 8 

Mod 2 solid-propellant motor, reduced the vulnerability of the launch platform to ground fire 

during weapon delivery, and improved performance against hard targets. Bulldog was the first 

successful laser-guided missile; however, in 1974, manufacturing and deployment were cancelled 

in favor of the Air Force AGM-65 Maverick. [144] [205]

Condor

The AGM-53 Condor was a long-range air-to-surface television-guided supersonic cruise missile 

designed to provide the U.S. Navy a standoff capability against heavily guarded, high-value, 

and strategic targets. The basic Condor was followed by two major improvements: first, the 

television guidance was replaced with a dual-mode seeker consisting of a radar and a small 

television camera to improve capability in all weather conditions; second, the solid rocket motor 

was replaced by a turbojet engine to provide extended-range capability. [144] [205]
Weapons | 47

China Lake was the lead field activity and technical manager 

responsible for initial development and also provided 

the technical direction for the dual-mode seeker, turbojet 

design, systems engineering, guidance, fuzing, warhead 

development, system safety, propulsion, aircraft interface, 

and cost analysis. The Condor completed development, 

testing, pilot production, and long lead production; however, 

Congress canceled funding for production in 1976 due to 

cost overruns. [144] [205]

Hellfire

The AGM-114 Hellfire (Heliborne Laser Fire and Forget) is a close-in point defense air-to-surface 

precision-guided missile designed to engage tanks and armored vehicles, both stationary and 

moving. The first three generations used a semi-active laser seeker, while the fourth generation, 

the Longbow Hellfire, uses a millimeter wave seeker.

The Hellfire Program was initiated by the U.S. Army in the early 1970s, with the first guided 

launch occurring in the late 1970s and Fleet entry coming in the mid-1980s. The Hellfire system 

is constantly evolving in response to new technologies and Fleet needs. The Marine Corps 

received a version with a low-smoke motor and safety-and-arming device (SAD) (AGM-114B), 

and the Army received the same version but without the SAD (AGM‐114C). The AGM‐114F 

came with a new warhead to defeat reactive armor. The AGM-114K, the first in the Hellfire II 

series, solved many of the deficiencies of the original Hellfire, like the backscatter problem, 

while incorporating new elements to improve its capabilities, such as a more-powerful warhead 

and a digital autopilot. The other Hellfire II variant, the AGM-114M, is equipped with a blast 

fragmentation mechanism for use against more-general targets. The next-generation Hellfire, 

the AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire, replaced the laser seeker with a millimeter wave system to 

allow Hellfire to be used day or night in all weather conditions. Hellfire then received a new 

MAC warhead for increased lethality, resulting in the AGM-114N. The AGM-114R, the future 

of Hellfire, is designed to replace all previous variants and become the sole Hellfire variant in 

use. [204]

Though the Hellfire was initiated by the Army, China Lake is 

closely involved with this weapon system. In general, China 

Lake’s Tactical Weapons Office serves as assistant program 

manager for systems and engineering and as class desk 

for NAVAIR’s Defense Suppression Systems Office. Point 

Mugu serves as assistant program manager for logistics and 

as the Fleet support team for integrated logistics support 

services of Hellfire. In particular, China Lake developed 

the MAC warhead used in the AGM-114N. MAC warheads 

have a sustained pressure wave in comparison to the sharp 
 48 | Arming the Fleet

spike and rapid decay of conventional warheads. Even 

though the MAC warhead was not released to the Fleet until 

the early 2000s, its development began in the 1960s, when 

China Lake started conducting experiments on FAEs. By the 

1980s, China Lake successfully developed nonliquid FAEs 

that would become the precursor of the MAC warhead. In 

2003, China Lake became the technical design agent for 

the MAC warhead and produced several hundred over the 

next few years before transferring the program to industry. 

In addition to the MAC warhead, China Lake continues to 

support development of the AGM-114R to ensure that it 

meets Navy requirements, specifically in relation to Military 

Operations in Urban Terrain targets. [172]

The Hellfire was first deployed in combat in 1989 during Operation Just Cause. During Operation 

Desert Storm, the U.S. Army used about 4,000 Hellfire missiles. By mid-2007, more than 

3,000 Hellfires were used in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. 

It was during Operation Iraqi Freedom that the first MAC Hellfire was used in combat. [204]

Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM)

The JAGM effort is a follow-on program to the Joint 

Common Missile Program, which was canceled in 2007. Its 

objective is to provide a replacement missile for Hellfire; 

Maverick; and the Tube-Launched Optically Tracked WireGuided missiles on rotary-wing, fixed-wing, and unmanned 

platforms. The JAGM is intended to engage a variety of 

targets, including advanced heavy/light armored vehicles, 

bunkers, buildings, naval patrol craft, command and control 

vehicles, transporter/erector launchers, artillery systems, 

and radar/air defense systems. [204]

NAWCWD plays a significant supporting role for each 

of the contractors in the JAGM Program. For example, NAWCWD supports M&S, which is a 

significant aspect of the JAGM Program. In particular, NAWCWD is working with the Army 

Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center on a maritime module 

for the Army’s common scene generator to complement the existing land-based modeling. 

NAWCWD contributes to a number of program reviews, including initial baseline reviews, 

systems requirements reviews/systems functional reviews, test readiness reviews, and preliminary 

design reviews. NAWCWD also provides personnel for IPTs, working groups, and failure review 

boards, as well as providing contractor analysis documents, white papers, technical guidance 

documents, and supporting research. [172]
Weapons | 49

Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW)

The AGM-154 JSOW is a standoff-outside-point-defense air-to-surface laser-guided glide 

weapon used to engage a variety of targets, depending upon the variant employed. JSOW comes 

in three main variants: the baseline version, which deploys 145 bomblets for area targets; the 

antiarmor version, which carries six bomblets for armored targets; and the unitary version, which 

has a dual-stage warhead for blast/fragmentation and penetration of point targets. [204]

China Lake’s involvement with JSOW really began in the 

late 1980s while serving as the lead field activity for the 

Advanced Interdiction Weapon System. When the Air 

Force joined the program in 1992, the weapon system was 

renamed JSOW. China Lake provides support for systems 

engineering, flight test planning, logistics and training, and 

developmental and operational testing and conducts Fleet 

introduction and interface; in fact, the first flight test took 

place at China Lake in 1994. In 2008, China Lake supported 

the completion of JSOW Block II operational T&E, 

which culminated in the weapon’s release to the Fleet in 

August of 2008. NAWCWD supported development of the 

AGM‐154C‐1 (JSOW Block III), with a successful critical design review in 2008, tests of a lowcost warhead under consideration in 2009, and a successful captive-carriage flight in 2010. [172]

The first operational use of JSOW came in 1999, when U.S. Navy aircraft launched three

AGM-154As at three separate Iraqi surface-to-air sites during a routine patrol of “no-fly” zones. 

The United States Navy continued to employ JSOW in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Current figures from Raytheon put the total number of JSOWs used in combat at 400. [204]

Maverick

The AGM-65 Maverick is a standoff-outside-point-defense air-to-surface guided missile used 

against a variety of targets. Mavericks can have a television, laser, or IR guidance system. There 

are also two warhead variants, the 125-pound shaped charge and the 300‐pound blast penetrating 

warhead. The Maverick can be fired from both high and low altitudes. The U.S. Navy and Marine 

Corps use the AGM-65E (300-pound laser-guided) and the AGM-65F (300-pound IR-guided) 

versions of the Maverick. 

While the system was originally developed for the Air Force in the 1960s, China Lake became 

involved in modifying and refining the system. For example, China Lake helped integrate the 

weapon on the A-4, A-6, and A-7 platforms. Today, China Lake’s Tactical Weapons Office serves 

as assistant program manager for systems and engineering and class desk for the NAVAIR Defense 

Suppression Systems Office. In that capacity, China Lake supports the Navy and Marine Corps 

variants from cradle to grave. Point Mugu serves as assistant program manager for logistics 

and as the Fleet support team for integrated logistics support. NAWCWD is currently lending 
 50 | Arming the Fleet

its support to the Enhanced Laser Maverick (AGM-65E2) 

Program initiated to address the need for a close-air support 

weapon capable of engaging moving targets. Specifically, 

the Tactical Weapons Office provides systems engineering 

support and acts as the lead for developmental testing. 

Thus far, China Lake has conducted two successful seeker 

tower tests and developed systems requirement review and 

preliminary design review plans and is currently conducting 

the critical design review. [25] [172]

The Maverick has been deployed in every major conflict 

since its release in 1972. Its first combat use came during 

Operation Desert Storm, in which approximately 5,300 were 

deployed. To put into perspective just how heavily that weapon was used in that conflict, it should 

be noted that, during Operation Allied Force and Operation Iraqi Freedom only, a combined total 

of approximately 1,700 were used. The Maverick is still active today in Operation Enduring 

Freedom in support of the War on Terror. [204]

Rockets

In 1943, news of German aircraft rockets reverberated throughout the United States, prompting 

a crash program to develop forward-firing aircraft rockets. The United States responded with 

aplomb, and, by 1944, rockets were major weapons of war, with the Army spending $150,000,000 

a year on rockets and the Navy spending eight times that amount. China Lake quickly took the 

lead in full-spectrum rocket work, developing rockets and their sundry parts, as well as training 

Fleet squadrons at its ranges. China Lake conducted more than 1,000 projects by the end of 

World War II, prompting Life magazine to dub China Lake “Rocket Town” in 1948. This early 

work laid the foundation for China Lake’s future and the future of naval weapons.

Rockets are air- and surface-launched unguided ballistic trajectory weapons propelled by the 

controlled burning of energetic materials. Early rocket development included several types and 

sizes, like the 3.5‐inch fixed-fin rocket, the first forward-firing aircraft rocket used by U.S. troops 

in World War II, but a few specific weapon systems stand 

apart as having special historical significance and as having 

played a substantial role in shaping current naval weapon 

systems.

Rockets, 5.0-Inch Variants

The Zuni rocket is a 5.0-inch air-to-surface unguided 

folding-fin rocket developed in the 1950s. It replaced 

an earlier version of the 5.0-inch rocket, also developed 

at China Lake, called Holy Moses, and was initially 

intended for air-to-air combat but later evolved into an 
Weapons | 51

air-to-surface weapon. Released to the Fleet in 1960, the Zuni has been used heavily in 

combat and is still in service today, with the same basic design. Minor changes of note 

include an improved rocket motor (Mk 71) and a new wrap-around fin design. [141] [204]

Today, however, the Zuni is undergoing a major change in capability as a result of a Marine 

Corps requirement for a precision-guided forward-firing weapon to replace the AGM-65 

Maverick. In 2005, MBDA Inc. and China Lake entered into a Cooperative Research and 

Development Agreement (CRADA) to produce a laser-guided Zuni rocket. In May 2009, a 

laser-guided Zuni launched from the ground successfully hit a stationary target. The following 

August, another ground-launched laser-guided Zuni successfully struck a moving target. [204]

Rockets, 2.75-Inch Variants

Developed in the 1940s, the 2.75-inch rocket (nicknamed 

Mighty Mouse) is an air-to-air unguided folding-fin 

rocket. It was designed to attack high-speed heavy 

bombers and was employed heavily by all services of 

the U.S. Armed Forces, with approximately 50 million 

produced by 1973. Like the 5.0-inch rocket, the 2.75‐inch 

rocket remained relatively unchanged (apart from an 

upgraded motor [Mk 66] and a wrap-around fin design) 

until recently. But now, it too is receiving increased 

capability, in this case, from the Advanced Precision Kill 

Weapon System (APKWS) and the LOGIR Programs. [172]

The APKWS effort is a Navy-led program to enhance the 2.75-inch rocket with a laserseeking guidance and control system to meet the need for a laser-guided rocket. The 

APKWS Program began in the late 1990s as an Army program, but, after setbacks involving 

performance, schedule, and cost, it was taken over by the Navy in 2008. In 2010, successful 

operational assessment launches cleared the APKWS to enter low-rate initial production 

(Milestone C). [172] [204]

The LOGIR Program is funded by an Office of Naval 

Research’s (ONR’s) Future Naval Capabilities effort 

and was initiated in 2000 to significantly improve the 

Warfighter’s ability to engage moving and fixed targets, 

with an emphasis on moving targets, specifically 

maritime fast inshore attack craft. LOGIR is a low-cost 

thermal imaging kit designed to improve the accuracy of 

2.75‐inch rockets. LOGIR has a range of approximately 

7.5 kilometers for improved standoff capability and has a 

very large launch acceptability region, thereby enabling 

the aircraft to quickly target and engage combatants. In 
 52 | Arming the Fleet

concert, these two characteristics allow the aircraft to attack large numbers of targets in a 

single sortie, while reducing pilot exposure. In 2008, at the China Lake ranges, the LOGIR 

Program successfully launched its first guided round, which hit the target nearly dead center. 

The second guided launch took place at San Nicolas Island in late 2009, with the intent to test 

LOGIR against a threat representative of a fast inshore attack craft. Unfortunately, failures in 

both the inertial measuring unit and the contract actuation system prevented success. Unfazed, 

China Lake personnel solved the problems and successfully completed a third guided launch 

in early 2010, which ended the demonstration program and moved LOGIR into the Medusa 

Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) phase. The Medusa JCTD will integrate 

LOGIR and a new LOGIR rocket launcher onto the MH-60S platform. [172] [204]

Antitank Aircraft Rocket (ATAR)

The ATAR was another China Lake rocket developed to meet specific warfighter needs. 

During the Korean War, United States forces needed rockets capable of penetrating heavily 

armored tanks. In an astounding 29 days, China Lake designed, developed, tested, produced, 

and delivered 200 provisional rockets to the Fleet, with the final design entering production 

within 3 months of the initial request. The new rockets could penetrate 17 inches of armor 

plate, proving that air-launched weapons could defeat hard, mobile targets.

Bombardment Aircraft Rocket (BOAR)

The BOAR was a 30.5-inch rocket-propelled nuclear ballistic standoff weapon. It was designed 

to be deployed by high-performance aircraft in a low-level loft-and-escape maneuver—a 

technique developed by VX-5 at China Lake. Essentially, the aircraft released the weapon 

in a steep climb to maximize the weapon’s range, at which point the motor would ignite 

and the aircraft would quickly turn to put as much distance between itself and the imminent 

nuclear explosion. Deployed in 1956, BOAR was one of the earliest rockets designed to carry 

a nuclear warhead, and, apart from the nuclear components themselves, China Lake was 

responsible for the entire system, including the automatic weapon-release computer used in 

the special launch technique. [144]

Spin-Stabilized Bombardment Rocket (SSBR)

Another heavily used rocket developed by China Lake was the SSBR. Fired from both 

land and water surface vehicles, these rockets were designed for surface-to-surface area 

neutralization and fire support. As the name implies, spin-stabilized rockets use a spinning 

motion, as opposed to fins, to stabilize the rocket during flight. The reasoning behind this is 

twofold: first, unlike air-launched rockets, surface-launched rockets have no initial airspeed 

that renders fin stabilization ineffective; second, spin-stabilized rockets can be shorter in 

proportion to diameter size. These rockets were used in such great numbers and with such 

great success in World War II and the Korean War that China Lake was tasked with improving 

the range and effectiveness of the rocket for the impending conflict in Vietnam. The result 
Weapons | 53

was the Bombardment Rocket, a new rocket capable of striking a target 18,000 yards away 

with the same lethality as previous 5,000-yard-range rockets.

Shrike/High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM)/

Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM)

Shrike

The AGM-45 Shrike is a passive-homing air-to-ground 

ARM designed to suppress enemy air defense. It was the 

first U.S. ARM to be mass produced. Beginning in 1958, 

China Lake conceived, designed, developed, and tested 

Shrike as a direct response to Fleet needs. Most notably, 

China Lake pioneered anti-radiation guidance employed 

by Shrike and its successors: the AGM-88 HARM and the 

AGM‐88E AARGM. China Lake also assembled a dualsource production data package to establish competition, 

a decision that resulted in significant savings. [30]

During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, China Lake was 

called upon to produce 200 Shrike missiles, which, at the 

time, were still under development. With assistance from Texas Instruments, China Lake was 

able to meet the demand in just slightly more than 6 months, building half of the missiles in 

house. Shrike officially entered service in 1965 and served the U.S. Navy and Air Force well 

during the conflict in Vietnam. During that same time, China Lake completed another quickresponse project by adapting the Shrike to shipboard launch, creating the Shrike-on-board 

system. [141]

Shrike had two major limitations: first, it had to be pointed toward the desired target; second, 

the target had to continue to radiate or Shrike would lose its lock on it. Therefore, China 

Lake continued to develop anti-radiation technology, which led to the next-generation ARM, 

HARM. [206]

High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM)

The HARM was designed to address the deficiencies in Shrike and to incorporate new 

technologies to engage modern, constantly evolving threats. For that reason, HARM 

is constantly being updated. The first improvements to HARM consisted of a broadband 

antenna, programmable software, a new seeker with the ability to handle a wider range of 

frequencies, a new motor with a longer range, and an improved warhead. This version of 

HARM, designated AGM‐88A, was released in 1983 but was replaced by the AGM‐88B only 

3 years later. The AGM‐88B introduced the ability to rapidly change software on the flight 

line, a major operational advantage over the AGM-88A, which had to be returned to the depot 

for software changes. In 1991, the Fleet received the AGM‐88C, which had a new seeker with 

the ability to counter frequency-agile targets and a new warhead capable of engaging hardened 
 54 | Arming the Fleet

structures. The release of new HARM variants often ran 

in parallel with the release of new software upgrades; 

thus, AGM-88A received Block I and II, AGM‐88B 

received Block III, and the AGM-88C received Block IV

and Block V. [204]

NAWCWD remains the technical lead for HARM and 

is responsible for legacy HARM software updates. The 

ARM TPO continues to develop the Block 5A software 

upgrade and, in 2008, released the HARM User Data 

Files/Electronic Intelligence 503 file, further increasing 

HARM lethality. The ARM TPO Fleet Support Program 

continues its HARM University program, in which U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force 

aircrew receive graduate-level training in suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD). [54] [172]

The HARM has seen consistent combat since its introduction. It was first used in combat in 

Libya in 1986, was used during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Just Cause, and is still 

in use today in support of the War on Terror.

Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM)

The AARGM is an enhancement kit for the HARM and 

is the next-generation ARM. The kit mates a completely 

new dual-mode anti-radiation homing and millimeter 

wave terminal guidance section and a modified control 

section with GPS/INS capability to the rocket motor, 

airframe, and warhead of an AGM‐88B/C. NAWCWD 

served as the lead technical field activity, as well as the 

lead for T&E in captive and live fire scenarios. AARGM 

passed its preliminary design review in 2005 and critical 

design review in 2006. Developmental Test 1 (DT-1) 

took place in 2007 at NAWCWD’s ranges. DT‐2, DT‐3, 

and DT-4 took place in 2008, leading to low-rate initial 

production. In 2009, China Lake completed the remaining developmental tests (ending the 

system development and demonstration phase) and began operational evaluation (OPEVAL) 

in preparation for the planned initial operating capability in late 2010. [172]

Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM)

The AGM-84E SLAM is a standoff-outside-area-defense air-to-surface missile. Its primary targets 

include high-value/time-critical land targets in high-threat areas and ships in port. SLAM was 

designed around the AGM-84D Harpoon by using the IR seeker from an AGM‐65D Maverick, 

the video data link from AGM-62 Walleye, and a GPS receiver. SLAM entered service with the 

U.S. Navy in 1990 and is still operational today. [204]
Weapons | 55

NAWCWD wrote the system specification and statement 

of work for the initial concept of SLAM and was involved 

in all engineering efforts from conception through fullrate production. Even though SLAM was still undergoing 

OPEVAL at Point Mugu, it was sent to support the Warfighter 

in Operation Desert Storm. All told, seven SLAMs were 

launched at high-priority targets in support of that effort. 

The images from these engagements were shown on national 

television. [136]

As a result of SLAM’s performance during Operation 

Desert Storm, a program was initiated to increase SLAM’s 

capabilities. NAWCWD played a key role in this effort by developing a new warhead with 

better penetration and lethality, as well as improving its ability to meet new IM requirements. 

NAWCWD also supported developmental and operational testing; developed, acquired, and 

loaded government-furnished equipment warheads and fuze boosters; developed new all-up-round 

software; and provided system engineering. These efforts led to initial operational capability of 

the AGM-84H/K Standoff Land Attack Missile–Extended Response (SLAM-ER) in 2000. With 

that release, SLAM-ER became the U.S. Navy’s primary standoff-outside-area-defense weapon. 

In 2005, NAWCWD achieved another milestone with SLAM-ER when the CLPL completed 

the 500th successful SLAM-ER warhead. All 500 warheads were delivered on schedule, within 

budget, and without significant defects. [177]

The SLAM-ER received another upgrade with the automatic target acquisition system. A missile 

with this capability was successfully fired on the test ranges at China Lake before becoming 

operational in 2002. In 2009, the SLAM-ER TPO completed a Rapid Technology Transfer 

Program, adding a land moving target capability to the SLAM-ER, and proved the weapon’s 

effectiveness with a direct hit on a moving land target. [172]

Like its predecessor, the SLAM-ER was called into duty at the outbreak of conflict following 

the events of September 11, 2001. Within weeks of that incident, NAWCWD personnel loaded 

upgraded software into SLAM-ERs headed for the Persian Gulf aboard USS John C. Stennis in 

support of the War on Terror. [71]

Surface-to-Surface Missiles

Antisubmarine Rocket (ASROC)

After World War II, the Navy sought a means of extending the range of antisubmarine warfare 

(ASW) torpedoes. In 1952, China Lake conducted feasibility studies on the rocket-assisted torpedo 

and conducted tests with rocket-propelled depth charges. The two programs were combined into 

the ASROC Program. 
 56 | Arming the Fleet

The ASROC is a quick-reaction all-weather intermediaterange ASW weapon launched from surface ships. ASROC 

consists of a torpedo, a double-base propellant rocket motor, 

an ignition separation assembly, and a dome-shaped plastic 

nose cap that protects the torpedo’s transducer assembly as 

the weapon enters the water. The system became operational 

in 1961 and was used frequently during the Vietnam conflict. 

In 1964, China Lake upgraded the ASROC to double the 

missile’s standoff range and increase its delivery accuracy. 

In the early 1970s, advances in sonar technology enabled 

ships to detect targets far beyond the range of the ASROC. 

The Navy’s response was to develop the Vertical Launch ASROC (VLA), an effort in which China 

Lake would act as the key developer. China Lake had already conducted the QuickTurn/Agile 

Programs, which demonstrated advanced threat reactor control airframe controllability during 

the late 1960s and early 1970s. The VLA is an improved rocket-propelled ASW weapon that is 

designed for deployment on ships equipped with the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System. The VLA 

uses a larger rocket motor with a jet vane thrust vector control system and an onboard digital 

autopilot to ensure accurate, extended-range delivery from the vertical launch mode. The VLA 

delivers both the Mk 46 Mod 5 torpedo and the Mk 50 advanced lightweight torpedo against 

threat submarines at intermediate ranges. China Lake was also responsible for developing and 

testing the autopilot, staging system, rocket motor, and the thrust vector control system for the 

VLA project. 

By the mid-1970s, China Lake efforts had resulted in two vertical rail launches of modified 

ASROC airframes with thrust vector control. In 1978, a major milestone was achieved at China 

Lake when the first vertically launch controlled ASROC airframe was launched from a prototype 

of the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System. The formal VLA Development Program was then 

initiated, and VLA missiles were introduced to the Fleet by 1993. The China Lake thrust vector 

control technology also provided the basis for numerous advancements in other weapon systems, 

such as the Tomahawk and Standard Missile. 

VLA has replaced the ASROC in the United States and in several allied countries that also use 

the vertical launching system. Although the U.S. Navy ended production in 1993, the system is 

still being actively procured by allied foreign governments. In addition, NAWCWD continues to 

support propulsion steering technology through the ongoing Compact Low-Cost Thrust Vector 

Control Program and is also engaged in programs using jet vane technology, including the 

Sidewinder AIM-9X and the ESSM. Thrust vector control technology is also an important part 

of the Standard Missile-3 Third-Stage Rocket Motor, a key element in the Navy’s Sea-Based 

Theater Ballistic Missile Defense Program. [13]
Weapons | 57

Fleet Ballistic Missiles

Responding to a growing Soviet nuclear threat in the 1950s, the United States began developing 

intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Fleet ballistic missiles are large long-range submarinelaunched missiles equipped with nuclear warheads. China Lake’s development efforts advanced 

thrust vector control systems, propellant efficiency and safety, and technology for large rocket 

motors. Although these missiles were never fired in combat, the early China Lake studies had 

a profound effect in shaping the country’s strategic deterrence policies, thus contributing to 

international stability.

Polaris 

The Navy realized that the Army’s Jupiter missile, the 

original SLBM, was too large and heavy for shipboard 

use and its liquid fuel was too toxic. China Lake, working 

with the Bureau of Ordnance, developed the concept of 

using a small solid-fueled rocket motor to launch a missile 

from a submarine. After feasibility studies, component 

tests, fuzing and rocket motor tests, and full-scale 

underwater launch programs were conducted, analysis 

suggested a smaller warhead and a newer reentry body 

concept were needed. Polaris was the result. The UGM27 Polaris was a solid-propellant SLBM that had two 

stages of propulsion. Polaris A-1 weighed 28,800 pounds and had a range of approximately 

1,000 nautical miles.

The Eisenhower administration accelerated Polaris deployment, a decision that resulted in 

the first successful underwater launch of a Polaris A-1 from USS George Washington in 

1960. In 1962, USS Ethan Allen launched a Polaris, which flew 1,700 miles and detonated. 

This effort represents the only U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test with a live 

nuclear warhead. In 1969, the Navy began to convert the Polaris submarine fleet to the larger 

Poseidon C3 missiles. China Lake continued to provide T&E support for Polaris throughout 

the life of the program until the conversion was complete.

Overall, the Polaris Program was one of China Lake’s most significant areas of accomplishment 

in Fleet ballistic missile support. The Polaris studies conducted by China Lake were 

instrumental in the development of the concept and the weapon system.

Poseidon 

In 1965, the Poseidon was developed as an update to the Polaris missile. The Poseidon 

weighed 65,000 pounds, could deliver a much larger payload with greater accuracy, and was 

the first to carry a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) payload of up to

14 small reentry vehicles. 
 58 | Arming the Fleet

China Lake’s studies strongly influenced Poseidon’s design and hardware, and China Lake 

tested the Poseidon motors throughout the project. Poseidon became operational in 1971, and 

eventually 486 missiles were operational on 31 Fleet submarines. In 1994, Poseidon boats 

were converted to carry the Trident C4, and the Poseidon missile program ended in 2003.

Revolutionary Approach to Time-Critical

Long‐Range Strike (RATTLRS) Program

The RATTLRS effort is a Navy-led flight demonstration 

project to develop advanced technologies for turbinepowered expendable flight vehicles that can travel at 

supersonic speeds exceeding Mach 3. The RATTLRS 

concept involves a highly integrated supersonic air 

vehicle with an inlet and nozzle system. This weapon 

incorporates an expendable turbine propulsion system, 

whose size, shape, and weight are traceable to a joint 

tactical expendable weapon system. NAWCWD is tasked 

with the chief engineer functions, tactical weapons 

traceability, aeromechanical design support, flight test 

planning, and flight range supporting operations. 

The flight tests demonstrated a subsonic launch and high acceleration rate in climbing flight 

without a booster to a Mach 3.0+ cruise speed for up to 15 minutes. The RATTLRS Program 

also supports and leverages the technology development efforts of the Air Force and NASA 

in high-speed vehicles and turbine-based propulsion systems. 

The program completed its critical design review in 2006 by successfully completing a 

500‐pound warhead penetration test at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. During this test, the 

RATTLRS forebody flew straight and level from the end of the track and hit the target 

(reinforced steel rebar concrete blocks) nearly directly on center at an impact velocity of 

Mach 2+. NAWCWD continues T&E efforts, and the RATTLRS flight test program is being 

completed. 

Regulus

Regulus was developed in the late 1940s to meet the 

Navy’s requirement for a long-range submarine-launched 

bombardment weapon. Regulus I was a 500-mile-range 

surface-to-surface subsonic guided (cruise) missile that 

began testing at Point Mugu in 1949. The Regulus II had 

a range of 1,380 miles and was initially boosted by a 

rocket motor and then powered by a 10,000-pound-thrust 

turbojet engine to a speed of Mach 2. 

Regulus came to Point Mugu for T&E in January 1949 

and became the largest single program in Point Mugu 
Weapons | 59

history in terms of manpower and facilities. Some of the first testing was conducted at San 

Nicolas Island, and the first submarine launch was made from USS Tunny in 1953. Regulus 

II became operational in 1955 and was the Navy’s first supersonic cruise missile with a 

capability of delivering a nuclear warhead. It was successfully launched in 1958 from the 

submarine USS Grayback, but the Regulus Program was canceled soon after that launch in 

favor of the Polaris Program. After 1958, the Navy used the remaining 54 Regulus II cruise 

missile as supersonic target drones, equipping them with landing gear. Most of the Regulus II 

drones were used at Point Mugu, where 17 target drones made 64 flights. The last Regulus II 

target drone was flown in 1965. [50] [136]

Trident

In the 1970s, the Navy developed the Trident missile, 

which provided the Underwater Long-Range Missile 

System with a larger, more-accurate missile. Selected in 

1975 to build a Trident SLBM operational test range in 

the Pacific, Point Mugu designed and installed the Trident 

Missile Test Instrumentation System, which was the most 

complex and extensive range system ever assembled at 

Point Mugu. The system became operational in 1983 and 

provided test forces with real-time range safety displays, 

underwater submarine tracking, in-flight tracking of up 

to four missiles, instantaneous impact predictions, and 

recording and display of missile telemetry. 

The Navy moved ahead with plans for the larger, more-accurate Trident II in 1983. The 

Trident II D-5 is a three-stage inertially guided solid-propellant missile and has a range of more 

than 4,000 nautical miles. After 15 of 18 successful land firings in the first underwater launch 

in 1989, the missile experienced flight control failure and was commanded to self-destruct. 

China Lake was assigned the task of failure analysis of the missile. Design improvements 

were then made based upon China Lake’s recommendations, and the missile has never again 

malfunctioned. 

In 2005, NAWCWD was very active in the Trident Fleet Missile project, conducting critical 

experiments to assess the feasibility of inserting advanced propellant, case, insulation, and 

test/instrumentation technologies into the Trident Post Boost Control System. Sea Range 

personnel coordinated with the Reagan Test Site in the South Pacific, PMR, Vandenberg 

AFB, and two dedicated instrumentation support ships to conduct SLBM tests from a Trident 

submarine. [172]

China Lake continues to evaluate the Trident propellant aging properties to help the Navy 

understand the quality and reliability of the Trident weapon inventory. For example, NAWCWD 

helped develop technology to contain and scrub exhaust during motor destruction to emit only 
 60 | Arming the Fleet

carbon dioxide and water. This demilitarization technology was a first, and it resulted in the 

full-scale Modified Contained Burn Assessment Test Facility, which successfully demonstrated 

98+% removal efficiencies on full-size 20,000-pound motors; this achievement ensured that 

the program would meet strict Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) requirements. [204]

China Lake is also involved in the Trident D-5 Service Life Extension Program, which seeks to 

find alternative sources of supply and qualify new component production methods. Throughout 

the entire Fleet ballistic missile program, China Lake has tested more than 500 motors. 

Harpoon

In 1965, the U.S. Navy began studies for an antiship missile. 

By 1971, McDonnell Douglas was awarded the contract 

to develop Harpoon, and China Lake was designated as 

the lead field activity providing technical production and 

logistics support. The AGM/RGM/UGM-84 Harpoon is an 

autonomous all-weather over-the-horizon antiship missile 

system providing the Navy and Air Force with a common 

missile for air, ship, and submarine launches. Harpoon is a 

fire-and-forget missile system using both inertial and activeradar guidance. The blast warhead is effective against a wide 

variety of targets, including ships at sea and in port, coastal 

defense sites, SAM sites, exposed aircraft, and port and 

industrial facilities. 

Working with industry, NAWCWD also developed and improved the warhead’s fuze, as well as 

the SAD. China Lake improved the IM capability of Harpoon, and Point Mugu developed the 

cast glance high-altitude photography capability to support Harpoon tests. The Block II upgrade 

incorporates elements of the JDAM and the SLAM-ER and uses GPS-aided inertial navigation 

to hit a designated aimpoint. Harpoon was first used in combat in 1984 against Libyan missile 

ships in the Gulf of Sidra. 

During 2000 through 2001, NAWCWD supported Harpoon Block II improvements, and Point 

Mugu demonstrated Block II upgrades on the Sea Range by using the Mobile Ship Target (MST). 

NAWCWD has a role in the development and engineering, T&E support, software integration, and 

Fleet logistics for Harpoon. NAWCWD works with industry to ensure the quality of the warhead 

and fuze package and maintains a low-volume production capability as a backup to industry. 

This capability was used to ensure warhead deliveries when the industrial producer required 

requalification. In 2009, the Harpoon Block II was successfully fired from USS Princeton in 

support of the Guidance Control Unit (GCU) Obsolescence Program. This firing proved the 

readiness and suitability of a GCU that is compliant with the Harpoon’s Selective Availability 

Anti-Spoofing Module. [204]
Weapons | 61

Although the U.S. Navy orders ceased, Harpoon upgrades will continue to 2015. The missile also 

continues to be one of the most widely exported Navy weapon systems, with more than 30 allied 

nations fielding the system. [20]

Joint Multi-Effects Warhead System (JMEWS)

The JMEWS is a long-range weapon system that provides increased flexibility and lethality in 

denied environments against hardened targets. This warhead technology will provide a leapahead capability against a widely varied target set, which includes hard and soft targets. In 

concert with the in-flight targeting system, JMEWS allows dynamic targeting and re-tasking of 

the missile as intelligence is updated. For example, with JMEWS, a missile may be configured to 

destroy a hard target but, in flight, could be redirected to a soft target, a capability that requires 

a different type of explosive. 

Currently, the JMEWS warhead is being integrated into a Block IV Tomahawk missile because 

the warhead’s extended operating range and in-flight command and control are critical to 

successfully mitigating identified capability gaps. The JMEWS warhead will require extensive 

weapon system integration with the Block IV missile and will influence areas such as the weight 

and balance, guidance and control, executive computer control software, and the missile’s 

satellite data terminal.

NAWCWD China Lake is the Navy’s lead T&E agent on the JMEWS project, and Raytheon was 

awarded an advanced technology study contract in 2009 to perform engineering and analysis on 

the integration. NAWCWD provides fuzes and technical support, and its ranges will help support 

JMEWS flight tests. Integration and full-system test demonstration are required within 3 years. 

The production warhead is tentatively scheduled to be introduced to the Fleet in 2014/2015.

Other platforms may be considered for future follow-on acquisition after the JMEWS warhead 

design is optimized and successfully flight tested. [172] [204]

Tomahawk

Tomahawk is a long-range surface-to-surface guided 

subsonic cruise missile used for land attack from submarines 

and surface ships. Tomahawk flies at extremely low altitudes 

at high subsonic speeds and over evasive routes for increased 

survivability. Targets are often high-value land assets in highthreat areas. Radar detection of the Tomahawk is difficult 

because of the missile’s low RCS and low-altitude flight. IR 

detection is difficult because the turbofan engine emits little 

heat. Tomahawk has an inertial and terrain contour-matching 

radar guidance system that uses a stored map reference 

onboard to compare with the actual terrain to determine the 
 62 | Arming the Fleet

missile’s position. Terminal guidance is provided by the 

optical Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation System, 

which compares a stored image of a target with the actual 

target image. Tomahawk has two warhead configurations: 

a 1,000-pound blast/fragmentation unitary warhead and a 

general purpose bomblet dispenser. 

There have been several variants of the Tomahawk, 

employing various types of warheads. For example, the 

Tomahawk Land Attack Missile/Nuclear (TLAM-N) had a 

W80 nuclear warhead, the Tomahawk Antiship Missile was 

a radar-guided antiship variant, and the Tomahawk Land 

Attack Missile/Conventional (TLAM-C) had a unitary warhead.

Surface-launched cruise missile development began in 1972. Tomahawk’s first developmental 

flight tests and simulations were conducted at Point Mugu in the mid-1970s, and the first 

submarine launch was made off Point Mugu in 1978. During this time, Point Mugu developed 

the cast glance high-altitude photography system that supported Tomahawk tests. In the early 

1980s, China Lake became the principal support laboratory and applied thrust vector control 

steering to Tomahawk. In addition, NAWCWD developed a second production source (dual 

source) for the missile, thus resulting in improved reliability and a significantly reduced unit cost. 

NAWCWD was also the deputy program manager for the rocket motors, managing the rocket 

motor design and procuring the units for the Tomahawk All-Up Round Program Office. For the 

Block III upgrade, NAWCWD developed a new lightweight warhead and fuze. Tomahawk initial 

operational capability was achieved in 1983.

Tomahawk’s first operational use was in 1991 during 

Operation Desert Storm, and the weapon was immensely 

successful. A total of 288 Tomahawks were fired with a 

98% launch success rate. Tomahawk was one of only two 

systems used to strike targets in downtown Baghdad. Since 

the Gulf War, the Navy has improved responsiveness, target 

penetration, range, and accuracy. For example, during 

Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Navy launched 802 BGM-109 

Tomahawks. On the first night of major air operations, more 

than 100 Tomahawk missiles crippled Iraq’s air defenses 

by eliminating the high-power, low-frequency radars that 

surrounded Baghdad, as well as destroying SA-2 and SA-3 sites and airfields throughout Iraq.

During 2000 and 2001, NAWCWD supported three major efforts, including the Tactical Tomahawk, 

the Tactical Tomahawk Penetrator Variant for deep targets, and Block II/III upgrades. China Lake 

was the Navy’s principal support activity for the Tomahawk, the acquisition engineering agent 

for the all-up round, and the software engineering agent and the engineering design agent for 
Weapons | 63

the Tactical Tomahawk Penetrator Variant warhead. In 2002, a Tomahawk was launched in an 

860‐mile successful test flight from the submarine USS Bremerton submerged on the Sea Range. 

The NAWCWD/Raytheon Tactical Tomahawk team conducted the first free flight of Block IV, 

demonstrating in-flight retargeting and ultrahigh frequency satellite communications. The Tactical 

Tomahawk team later demonstrated in-flight retargeting, the loiter and battle damage assessment 

capability, and mission planning onboard the launch platform and provided in-flight health and 

status reports. The team also developed the Tomahawk In-Flight Missile Simulator (TIMS) Pod 

and integrated it onto the F/A-18, efforts that greatly reduced testing costs for missile updates. [35]

In 2004, the Tomahawk’s network centric warfare capabilities were upgraded to use data from 

multiple sensors (i.e., aircraft, UAVs, satellites, tanks, ships) to find the target and to send data 

from that weapon’s sensors to these platforms or the warfighter commander. This version was 

named the Tactical Tomahawk. The Tactical Tomahawk is also equipped with a television camera 

to observe the battlefield, thereby allowing warfighter commanders to assess target damage and 

redirect the missile to an alternative target. The Tactical Tomahawk has an additional feature 

that allows it to be reprogrammed in flight to attack 1 of 16 predesignated targets stored in its 

memory or to attack any other GPS coordinates. [204]

A demonstration was performed in 2009 that allowed Special Operations Forces to designate, 

plan, and call for fire using a Block IV Tomahawk. This test demonstrated how the Tomahawk 

has become a key enabler for time-critical strikes and is an invaluable asset to the Warfighter. 

In 2010, USS Cheyenne, in conjunction with Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, and members of the 

Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG), successfully fired a Block IV Tomahawk Land Attack 

Missile into the China Lake test range. This test was the first time a forward-deployed operational 

command acted as the Tomahawk strike coordinator and primary missile controller for an 

operational test and proved that real-time targeting coordinates can be applied to the missile in 

flight. NAWCWD China Lake continues formal government testing of the Tactical Tomahawk’s 

capabilities from surface/subsurface launch platforms. [172] [204]

Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs)

Bumblebee

The Bumblebee effort represented a significant post-war 

missile test series designed to develop a ramjet missile that 

could be launched from ships against high-altitude aircraft 

and be guided to its aerial target along a radar beam. 

China Lake and Point Mugu conducted numerous tests on 

the Bumblebee in the late 1940s. Between 1945 and 1952, 

a swarm of Bumblebee missiles flew over China Lake. In 

1947, the first successful subsonic beam-riding flight was 

made at China Lake when a roll-stabilized control test 
 64 | Arming the Fleet

vehicle followed a fixed radar beam for 16 seconds. A historic milestone in guided missile 

development was achieved in 1948 when two successful supersonic beam-riding flights were 

conducted at China Lake. These tests were the world’s first successful beam-riding flights at 

supersonic velocities. [29]

Lark

Lark was a radio-controlled surface-to-air subsonic missile 

intended for shipboard launch against aircraft. Lark was 

14 feet long, 17 inches in diameter, and was powered by a 

liquid propellant rocket engine. The Lark was designed to be 

launched by two strap-on 1,000-pound-thrust jet-assistedtakeoff units and then to be radio controlled to intercept. 

The test objective was to determine stability and control 

characteristics, to correct any faults in flight and control, 

and to provide data for missile evaluation.

In 1948, all Lark testing was shifted to the NAMTC at Point 

Mugu, where the Lark achieved a number of significant 

firsts in radar guidance. In one test, guidance was provided by two antiaircraft radars; one 

maintained line of sight directly to the target, while the other directed the missile. The Lark was 

directed along a radar line-of-sight path for 20,000 yards, with a maximum deviation error of 

approximately 50 yards. 

In 1949, for the first time, a Lark rode a moving radar beam, remaining within 0.75 degree of the 

radar beam for approximately 50 seconds. Three months after that test, a Lark successfully guided 

toward an aircraft using an optical missile and target tracking system and then employing an 

automatic electronic command signal computer that derived intelligence from an optical tracking 

device. In 1951, a Lark fired from Point Mugu made the first guided missile “kill” against an 

airborne target, scoring a direct hit on a radio-controlled drone. This test was significant because 

previous kills had been a result of the missile merely passing within lethal range. [50]

Phalanx

In the 1970s, NAWCWD conducted T&E for the Phalanx. The 

Mk 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon System is a fast-reaction 

computer-controlled rapid-fire 20-millimeter gun system 

providing U.S. Navy ships with a terminal defense against 

antiship missiles that have penetrated other Fleet defenses. 

This weapon is designed to engage antiship cruise missiles 

and fixed-wing aircraft at short range. Incorporating a selfcontained radar with integrated forward-looking infrared 

(FLIR), Phalanx automatically performs search, detecting, 

tracking, threat evaluation, firing, and kill assessments of 

targets. The latest version of the system, Block 1B, added 
Weapons | 65

two new missions: anti-surface warfare to combat small boat threats and antiair warfare to defeat 

slow-moving suicide aircraft and helicopters. Both of these new missions require an operator 

in the loop. Displays have been added for the thermal imager and the search radar, along with 

controls for the operator. The gun subsystem employs a Gatling-type gun consisting of a rotating 

cluster of six barrels firing 20-millimeter ammunition at either 3,000 or 4,500 rounds per minute. 

General Dynamics completed the first production model in 1979, and the first Phalanx systems 

entered service in 1980. Phalanx was subsequently fitted on all surface warships of at least 

frigate size, all major amphibious warfare vessels, and all combatant ships of 20 allied nations. 

A Block I upgrade entered service in 1988 and was capable of dealing with high-angle diving 

threats. The weapon system has steadily evolved since 1988, with NAWCWD continuing to 

support T&E on its Land and Sea Ranges. NAWCWD conducts aircraft tracking exercises for 

software development using various avionic platforms, including F-86s, A-4s, F/A‐18s, Cobras, 

Lear jets, and Iskras. [26]

Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM)

The RIM-116A RAM is a lightweight, quick-reaction, 

high-firepower surface-to-air weapon designed to counter 

antiship missiles. The RAM is a 5-inch passive dual-mode 

RF and IR fire-and-forget missile that uses Sidewinder 

technology for the warhead and rocket motor. Because of 

its high-tech guidance system, RAM requires no shipboard 

support after the missile is launched. RAM is effective 

against a wide spectrum of threats and supplements Phalanx 

and SeaSparrow in the ship’s defensive arsenal. The RAM 

system has been installed onto more than 80 United States 

Navy, 28 German Navy, and 3 Korean ships. 

The RAM started as a joint United States and German venture, with China Lake as the United 

States Government’s lead technical agent for development. Initial development began in 1974, 

and production was initiated in 1987. In 1990, the program suffered a number of problems and 

was in danger of being cancelled. China Lake was tasked to perform the design agent role to get 

the program back on track. After extensive design changes to make the missile more producible 

and reliable, another test firing sequence began. This time, the missile worked flawlessly and 

received approval for full-rate production, and, in 1992, the first ship was fitted with RAM. 

In 2000-2001, NAWCWD served as the acquisition engineering agent in the award of a full-rate 

production contract, provided production support and missile logistics, achieved accreditation of 

a RAM simulation, performed concept studies for product improvement, and supported extensive 

missile testing. In 2004, China Lake designed the first full-scale boost–sustain solid rocket motor 

with advanced composite casing, a major breakthrough. 
 66 | Arming the Fleet

China Lake simulations are accredited for preflight and postflight test predictions and 

comprehensive performance analyses against current real-world cruise missile threats. NAWCWD 

is also responsible for IR measurement and IR model development to support simulation. In 

addition, China Lake is the design agent for developing the rocket motor for the RAM Block II 

kinematic upgrade design. In 2008, it was determined that the upgrade design was ready for 

implementation, integration, and verification. The NAWCWD Sea and Land Ranges continue to 

be used for operational and development testing. [28]

RAM has been fired in more than 150 flight tests to date, with a success rate greater than 95%. 

A capability against helicopter, aircraft, and surface targets is currently being developed, and 

operation evaluation occurred in 2005. SeaRAM is also being developed for smaller ships, and, 

in 2008, a SeaRAM system was installed on USS Independence. [172] [204]

SeaSparrow 

The SeaSparrow SAM system, which was based on the 

original air-to-air Sparrow missile, can destroy hostile 

aircraft and antiship missiles. The first shipboard launch 

took place in 1972, and a vertical launch system was 

tested in 1981. SeaSparrow RIM-7M, along with the

AIM‐7M Air Sparrow, entered service in 1983. The 

AIM/RIM-7M missile upgrade (from the AIM‐7F) has 

an enhanced radar seeker, improved electronic countercountermeasures, digital microprocessing, a new warhead, 

and an active radar fuze. Twelve NATO nations are involved 

in the program. The AIM/RIM-7P began development in 

1987, and deliveries of SeaSparrow began in 1991. The 

SeaSparrow has a low-altitude guidance system that is effective against very-low sea-skimming 

cruise missiles. 

Since 1991, NAWCWD has served as the technical direction agent on the SeaSparrow Program. 

By 1995, engineering and manufacturing on the ESSM began. The ESSM was a kinematic 

improvement to the SeaSparrow, with a primary mission of destroying highly maneuverable 

low-altitude antiship cruise missiles. The missile incorporated midcourse data links to provide 

ship-based corrections during flight. RIM-162 ESSM entered low-rate initial production in 2003, 

with NAWCWD continuing T&E.

In 2006, NAWCWD investigated backfitting the ESSM’s warhead into SeaSparrow. As the 

technical design gent for ESSM, NAWCWD has supported the development of a new radome, 

front receiver, warhead fairing, telemetry system, control section, and rear receiver. NAWCWD 

was the lead in pioneering and developing the surface-to-surface guidance improvements for 

SeaSparrow, and the ESSM software was completed in 2006. Since 2007, NAWCWD has worked 

on unique software algorithms for engaging multiple targets using SeaSparrow. In addition, several 
Weapons | 67

T&E events were supported in 2009, including scenario development, flight test predictions, and 

post-flight support. [172] [204]

Spike

Spike is a man-portable fire-and-forget guided missile 

and launcher system that is very low cost and lightweight. 

Highly effective against helicopters and lightly armored 

vehicles, Spike is a boon to warfighters in urban assault 

scenarios because it is light and easy to fit into a backpack 

(e.g., fitting up to three missiles) and because the missile 

can travel through a window before exploding. 

Originally conceived and developed at China Lake, Spike is 

the smallest guided missile in the world, at 25 inches in length 

and 2.25 inches in diameter, with a weight of 5.3 pounds. It 

is the only missile using an electrooptical imaging strappeddown seeker. The system is envisioned as a safer, more-accurate alternative to rocket-propelled 

grenades (RPGs) and as a relatively inexpensive complement to the man-portable Javelin antitank 

missile. Compared to unguided RPGs with a range of only a few hundred yards, Spike has a 

range of approximately 2 miles. The cost of a Spike missile is also significantly less than that 

of the Javelin missile, thereby allowing the more costly missile to be used for heavily armored 

targets. The cost goal of $5,000 per unit makes Spike the lowest-cost guided missile in existence. 

In early 2009, Spike was fired from a UAV. The test used the NAWCWD-developed UAV-capable 

Airborne Fire Control System (AFCS) for the first time. Test engineers fired Spike from the top of 

a small mountain, with the missile hitting a moving target on the valley floor nearly a mile and a 

half away. Spike was also successfully launched in mid-2009 onboard the U.S. Army’s Vigilante 

vertical takeoff unmanned aerial vehicle (VTUAV). These tests demonstrated Spike’s ability to 

acquire and track targets while being remotely operated. Further T&E are continuing. [172] [204] [219]

Standard Missile

Standard Missile is the Navy’s primary surface-to-air Fleet defense weapon and is widely 

deployed on Navy ships. It is the descendant of an earlier missile project, the Bumblebee. The 

newer Standard Missile concept minimized compatibility changes and was modular in design for 

ease of upgrade. Standard Missile began development in 1964, entered service in 1968, and has 

steadily evolved. The three main subtypes included the Standard Missile-1, Standard ARM, and 

Standard Missile-2. 

China Lake is both the design agent and technical direction agent for all Standard Missile 

fuzing (target-detecting device [TDD], SAD, and fuze contact device) and portions of the flight 

termination system in the Standard Missile-1 and Standard Missile-2. The China Lake-developed 

Mk 45 TDD for Standard Missile is considered by many to be the world’s premier missile fuze. 
 68 | Arming the Fleet

A variant of Standard Missile, the AGM-78, was developed in 1968 as an air-launched version of the

Standard Missile-1 to extend the range of the Shrike missile. During the Vietnam conflict, an 

immediate need arose for a specialized TDD for Standard ARM. In only 8 months, China Lake 

and the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, Corona, developed and fielded a new flash lamp active 

optical TDD, the DSU-10/B. In only 90 days, China Lake developed the first active optical fuze 

using solid-state lasers for Standard ARM. The Air Force used Standard ARM extensively to 

destroy North Vietnamese radars that controlled antiaircraft guns and missiles.

The Standard Missile-2 Block I was an all-weather

ship-launched medium-range air defense missile with added 

midcourse command guidance to increase area coverage. 

In the Standard Missile-2 Block II effort, which began in 

1977, a new ordnance package and propulsion upgrade were 

added. Standard Missile‐2 Block IIIB included an adjunct 

IR seeker, and Block IV is a longer-range version using a 

booster for launch. NAWCWD helped develop the Mk 45 

Mod 9 and 10 TDDs, the Mk 54 SAD, and the Mk 5 fuze 

contact device used in Standard Missile. 

NAWCWD is the technical direction agent of the NAVSEA 

for the Mk 45 Mod 9, 10, and 14 TDDs and the technical 

direction and design agent for the SAD, arm-and-fire device 

(AFD), and fuze contact device. China Lake maintains a computer-in-the-loop facility for 

software development and TDD tests. NAWCWD developed and maintains a new engineering 

simulation, GENSIM, used to predict the performance of the Mk 45 TDD. NAWCWD conducted 

blow-down wind tunnel tests to qualify the Mod 9, 10, and 14 TDDs. For the cancelled Standard 

Missile Block IVA Program, NAWCWD developed an accurate method of field testing forwardlooking fuzes by using artillery shells as targets and provided consultation on IR seeker 

development. NAWCWD is also funded to develop new safety and arming technology using 

microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. [172] [204]

NAWCWD also supports the development and testing of the Standard Missile-3, a variant 

of the Standard Missile that fires from an Aegis cruiser to intercept a ballistic missile in the 

exo‐atmosphere. During 2002, NAWCWD participated in three successful flight tests at the 

Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Kauai, Hawaii, successful events that resulted in the 

first-ever sea-based ballistic missile intercepts. 

NAWCWD supports development of the Standard Missile-3 with sea-based kinetic-energy boostphase intercept missile technology. China Lake worked on the kinetic warhead, the third-stage 

rocket motor, and axial propulsion. More than 20,000 Standard Missiles have been produced and 

exported to more than a dozen countries. NAWCWD is also involved in development planning 

and contract formulation for the Standard Missile-6 Program.
Weapons | 69

Atomic Weapons

Fat Man and Little Boy 

Of all the “weapons that win wars,” the ones that can best 

lay claim to this title are the first atomic bombs, Fat Man and 

Little Boy, which helped end World War II. China Lake was 

a major contributor to the success of those weapons. The 

United States initiated a program in 1942 under the Army 

Corps of Engineers to build a weapon that would allow the 

United States to end the war without having to invade Japan. 

Several large engineering and production centers were set 

up at remote sites, including sites in Tennessee, Washington 

(state), New Mexico, and California. In 1945, China Lake 

carried out Project Camel, the code name for China Lake’s 

involvement in the Manhattan Project. 

The deadline for building at China Lake was set: less than 4 months in which to construct 

80 buildings (52 permanent) and for operations to begin 100 days after groundbreaking. Challenges 

in building, equipping, and operating the facility were enormous. Engineers developed remotely 

controlled melting kettles and built specialized radiographic equipment to inspect the explosive 

blocks for fissures or cracks. A periscope-type optical system was devised that enabled a control 

room operator to safely machine blocks of high explosives to close tolerances while separated 

from his/her work by two heavy concrete walls. All buildings were designed to hold a temperature 

tolerance of ±2°F. In only 115 days, the $13,000,000 plant ($243 million in today’s dollars) was 

melting, casting, and machining explosives for the Manhattan Project. Operations began just 

9 days after the test of the world’s first nuclear weapon at Trinity Site, New Mexico.

An atomic bomb is essentially a conventional bomb with a nuclear core. The China Lake and the 

Caltech Team were tasked to develop the nonnuclear explosive components of the atomic bomb 

and the conventional explosives used to trigger the nuclear explosion. China Lake also performed 

detonator testing; mixed, melted, cast, and machined explosive shapes; air-dropped hundreds 

of bomb components and shapes from B-29 bombers; studied and solved flight problems; and 

conducted aeroballistic tests to optimize aerodynamics and to test fuze functions. The team also 

evaluated equipment procedures to be used in the tactical delivery of the atom bomb. 

Two methods for nuclear fission were studied. One method involved a special gun to fire uranium. 

The second method involved an implosion method using plutonium. Both methods were used. 

The first problem was finding reliable detonators with incredibly fast action, a millionth of a 

second, and multiple detonations timed to within microseconds. China Lake loaded and test fired 

the new detonators made in Pasadena. China Lake, at its Salt Wells Pilot Plant, also cast and 
 70 | Arming the Fleet

machined precision high-explosive lenses that focused blast waves to create the phenomenal heat 

and pressure required for the plutonium core to fission. The actual nuclear components of the 

bomb were developed at Los Alamos, New Mexico. No nuclear components were ever developed 

or tested at China Lake.

Aerodynamically, the early bomb configurations were 

incapable of accurate flight. Hundreds of drop tests with 

different fins and weight distributions were required to 

solve the problem. This work was conducted at China Lake 

and several other sites around the country. The first dummy 

bomb dropped at China Lake from 25,000 feet was buried so 

deeply that crews worked for days to recover it, and the hole 

that was left could have accommodated a ten-story building. 

Only dummy bombs (no nuclear warheads) were dropped 

at China Lake. Sea testing was also conducted to determine 

whether the shock would detonate the weapons in case Fat 

Man or Little Boy was jettisoned at sea. 

With the materials and equipment shipped to China Lake for Project Camel, NOTS employees 

assembled multiple atomic bombs that were complete except for the nuclear core. China Lake 

also custom built a specialized loading pit; the B-29 would drive over the pit, and the bomb 

would be uploaded from underneath. 

On August 6, 1945, the Little Boy uranium-based atomic bomb was air dropped over Hiroshima, 

Japan, and 3 days later, Fat Man, an implosion-type plutonium-based atomic bomb, destroyed 

Nagasaki. As mentioned, China Lake was instrumental in the development of the nonnuclear 

components and the conventional explosives necessary for both types of bombs to work.

In 1946, the Salt Wells Pilot Plant at China Lake was ordered to step up production. Because 

Salt Wells was the single source for high-explosive components of the fission-type bomb, no 

other such facility had been built. Through the mid‐1950s, China Lake continued to be a major 

producer of certain chemical explosive components for the atomic weapons program. At the peak 

of its operation, the plant had 550 employees, plus 300 in support activities. China Lake efforts 

helped develop a DoD arsenal of dependable nuclear weapons and promoted the development of 

an industrial sector capable of producing nuclear weapon components. Initial work at China Lake 

laid the groundwork for some of today’s most advanced nuclear weapon systems.

From 1951 through 1953, VX-5 at China Lake was charged with developing a delivery tactic that 

would get the nuclear weapon on or close to the target, while providing an escape envelope for 

the aircraft and pilot. These VX-5 officers and about 100 enlisted men tested and perfected the 

bomb-delivery techniques described as “loft/toss,” “over-the-shoulder,” and “lay-down.” These 

specialized maneuvers soon became the Navy way of delivering nuclear weapons from aircraft. 

Testing was intense, including more than 10,000 Mk 76 practice bombs.
Weapons | 71

Many of the original buildings used in the atomic bomb work at China Lake are still standing and 

have been nominated to be included on the National Register of Historic Places. These buildings 

include facilities at Salt Wells and mainsite China Lake, including the fuze construction facility, 

steam plant, inert material research and development laboratory, and develop-process facility, 

as well as the Camel test camera shelter, four drop-test buildings, the control tower, X Pad, and

Building X.

Mk 8 Elsie

In the early 1950s, China Lake redesigned the Elsie 

(TX 8/TX 11), an experimental nuclear-penetrator weapon. 

Only one flight test was conducted, with the effort 

suspended in 1955 when the Navy decided to investigate the 

thermonuclear warheads for Regulus. Elsie was reported to 

be able to penetrate 22 feet of reinforced concrete, 90 feet 

of hard sand, 120 feet of clay, or 5 inches of armor plate 

before detonating. [222]
 72 | Arming the Fleet

Today, the whole world knows the secret which you have helped us keep for many months. 

The atomic bomb, which you have helped to develop with high devotion to patriotic duty, is 

the most devastating military weapon that any country has ever been able to turn against its 

enemy. No one of you has worked on the entire project or known the whole story. Each of 

you has done his own job and kept his own secret, and so today I speak for a grateful nation 

when I say congratulations and thank you all.

—Robert P. Patterson, Undersecretary of War, 1945
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 73

Weapons–Platform Integration
NAWCWD provides weapon integration support on fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned 

platforms, like the F/A-18, EA-18G, EA-6B, AV-8B, F-22, F-35 JSF, AH‐1, UH-1, AH-1Z, and 

others. NAWCWD pioneered the systems approach to weapon integration, which incorporates 

integration processes early in the design and developmental stages of aircraft and weapon systems. 

Before this method, the weapon system and aircraft were developed separately and integration of 

the two was conducted after the fact. Weapon–platform integration work at NAWCWD covers the 

entire gamut of weapons, avionics, and platforms, including those systems used in EW. However, 

because that specific mission is covered elsewhere, this section will focus on more-conventional 

weapons, avionics, and platforms. Nonetheless, examples taken from the F/A-18, AV-8B, H-1, 

and others will emphasize the scope of NAWCWD’s involvement in this area and provide a clear 

picture of the benefit the Fleet derives from this work.

 74 | Arming the Fleet

Bomb Racks and

Missile Launchers

Two elements vital to the integration process in which 

NAWCWD continues to make great progress are bomb 

racks and missile launchers. One of the most important 

developments in this area is the BRU-69/A Multipurpose 

Bomb Rack (MPBR) for the F/A-18 and JSF. This bomb 

rack is the first totally new bomb rack by the U.S. Navy in 

40 years and will replace the BRU-33, BRU‐41, BRU‐42, 

and BRU-55 racks. The rack is equipped with a new 

universal armament interface that allows it to work with 

current and future PGMs, as well as with conventional iron 

bombs, practice stores, and pyrotechnics. As is the trend, 

the BRU-69/A will allow attack aircraft to carry two PGMs 

per station, thus reducing the number of missions flown and mitigating the pilot’s exposure 

to adverse threats. The BRU‐69/A also features a non-pyrotechnic ejection power source that 

will increase mission reliability and reduce maintenance requirements. In 2009, the system 

entered Milestone B (system design and demonstration) and is on schedule for Fleet release 

in 2017. In the meantime, NAWCWD will continue to upgrade existing bomb racks to provide 

the Warfighter every advantage possible. For example, in 2009, the BRU-55/A Smart MultipleCarriage Bomb Rack, an updated version of the BRU-33/A that allows attack aircraft to carry two 

PGMs per station, was released to the Fleet. Work is also under way to upgrade the BRU‐61/A 

SDB Rack to provide carriage of the SDB II on the F/A-18E/F and JSF. Lastly, in 2009, an 

initial production order was placed for the new AIM‐9 missile launcher for the F/A-18A through 

F/A-18D’s wingtips. This new launcher incorporates previous upgrades such as the pure-air 

generating system; digital power supply; and AIM-9X fin retainers, with a higher-strength rail 

material with new geometry for improved fatigue life; one-piece forward and aft fairings; and a 

low-cost power supply. [172]

Weapons–Platform Integration
Weapons–Platform Integration | 75

F/A-18

The F/A-18 is a multirole carrier-capable supersonic strike 

aircraft capable of air-to-air dogfights and air-to-ground 

target attacks, thus the designation fighter/attacker. The F/A18 forms the core of the Navy’s air warfare capability and, as 

such, has been upgraded several times since its introduction 

to the Fleet in 1983. The latest variant, the F/A‐18E/F (F/A18E is the single-seat variant and the F/A‐18F is the twoseat version), has 11 weapon stations that can accommodate 

29 configurations, thereby making weapon–platform 

integration vitally important. [204] [207]

To successfully integrate weapon systems, subsystems, and 

the associated software, NAWCWD built the F/A-18 AWL and staffed it with experts from both 

government and industry. NAWCWD has been instrumental in integrating various systems in the 

F/A-18, including weapons such as the Sidewinder, the JDAM, and AARGM, as well as radar 

and communication systems like the AESA radar and SHARP. Developing software to work with 

all these systems is a particularly daunting task, especially 

given the fact that the F/A-18 has more than 40 processors 

and more than 10,000,000 words of code, but NAWCWD 

performs the task exceptionally well. As a result of this 

excellence, the Software Engineering Institute awarded the 

AWL its Level 4 rating, putting it in the top 9% of software 

developers in the world. NAWCWD also helps integrate 

weapon systems (both foreign and domestic) on allied 

F/A-18s, including the United Kingdom-built Advanced 

Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) for the Royal 

Australian Air Force and the SLAM-ER for Korea. [114] [172]

Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)

The F-35 JSF is a multirole fixed-wing stealth aircraft 

that provides air superiority, close-air support, and tactical 

bombing for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. 

It comes in three general variants: the conventional takeoff 

and landing version for the Air Force, which is scheduled 

for initial operational capability in 2013; the short takeoff 

and vertical landing version for the Marine Corps, which 

is scheduled for initial operational capability in 2012; and 

the carrier-based takeoff and landing version for the Navy, 

which is scheduled for initial operational capability in 2014. 
 76 | Arming the Fleet

NAWCWD supports weapon integration in the new F‐35 JSF 

in much the same way that it does for the F/A‐18; however, 

with the F-35’s internal stores, the process is exponentially 

more complicated. To maintain a small RCS, the F‐35 carries 

its munitions in four internal stations. However, if stealth is 

not a factor, the F-35 has the ability to carry munitions, pods, 

and fuel tanks externally on the centerline and wings, thereby 

increasing the number of stations from 4 to 11. NAWCWD 

is responsible for integrating several weapon systems on 

all variants of the F-35, including the Sidewinder, JSOW, 

LGB, DMLGB, AARGM, JAGM, and the Joint Standoff 

Missile. [172] [204]

Joint Service Efforts

Apart from integrating weapons on Navy platforms, NAWCWD also supports integration of 

weapons and systems on Marine Corps and Air Force aircraft, specifically the AV-8B and F-22. 

For the F-22, NAWCWD took the lead in integrating the Sidewinder missile to help ensure that 

the F-22 will have the air dominance for which that aircraft was designed. NAWCWD helped 

bring a number of weapons and weapon systems to the AV-8B, including the Intrepid Tiger 

and LITENING pods, JDAM, LJDAM, DMLGB, AMRAAM, and many others. NAWCWD is 

also supporting an effort to provide the AV-8B the capability to carry multiple precision-guided 

missiles with the BRU‐70/A Digital Improved Triple Ejection Rack. NAWCWD achieves all this 

through the AV-8B AWL, which, like the F/A-18 AWL, was also given a Level 4 rating by the 

Software Engineering Institute. [172] [204]
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 77

Weapon Systems
 78 | Arming the Fleet

Targeting Systems

Active Electronically Scanned

Array (AESA)

AESA is a fire-control radar that increases the F/A‐18’s 

air-to-air target detection and tracking range and provides 

higher resolution of air-to-ground mapping at longer 

ranges. Performance and capabilities of past airborne 

radars were limited by the speed of the mechanically 

scanned antennas. In an active-array radar, like the 

APG‐79, the radar beam can be steered at close to the 

speed of light. [54] [172]

The first flight of the integrated APG-79 AESA radar was in a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet 

at China Lake in 2003. OPEVAL began in 2005, heavily supported by VX‐31. As a result of that 

work, the AESA radar entered full-rate production in 2007. In 2008, the radar deployed for the 

first time with VFA-22. [54] [172]

Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking

Infrared (ATFLIR) System

China Lake’s work with IR devices dates back to its 

beginning, when, in the 1940s, Dr. William B. McLean 

built the IR-homing Sidewinder missile. Since then, China 

Lake has been a Center of Excellence for IR research and 

development. Over the years, China Lake put IR technology 

to a variety of uses, including developing a myriad of FLIR 

devices—from cockpit displays to night-vision goggles. 

One of the latest examples of FLIR technology is the 

ATFLIR system. [141]

The ATFLIR is an airborne targeting and navigation 

system designed for use on the F/A‐18C/D Hornet 

and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. It combines and replaces three previously separate 

systems: the AN/AAS-38A/B targeting FLIR, the AN/AAR-50 navigation FLIR, 

and the AN/ASQ-173 laser designator tracker/strike camera. ATFLIR allows the 

Warfighter to accurately deliver air-to-ground weapons from beyond the range of 

antiaircraft artillery and many SAM systems. It is one element that makes the Navy’s 

F/A‐18 the premier strike platform. [204]

Weapon Systems
Weapon Systems | 79

In 2001, ATFLIR entered low-rate initial production. In 2002, before China Lake had performed 

OPEVALs, ATFLIR was awarded early operational capability to provide the Warfighter a critical 

advantage in the War on Terror. Initial operational capability was finally granted a year later 

after successful completion of OPEVALs. Block II completed integration testing and passed 

the operational test readiness review milestone, and VX-9 is now performing follow‐on T&E at 

China Lake. [172] [204]

Digital Precision Strike Suite (DPSS)

The DPSS is a self-contained laptop system that increases 

the success of first-pass attacks with smart weapons, thus 

providing a brand new capability for the Fleet. In less than 

1 minute, the computer correlates real-time target images 

from various sensors with existing geographical database 

imagery and assigns a latitude, longitude, and elevation to 

any part of the target. The operator can then transmit these 

targeting data to the aircraft and weapon. [55]

The DPSS team is located at China Lake and has developed 

a suite of software applications for targeting. The PSS‐SOF 

application, developed by the DPSS team, is currently used 

extensively in Afghanistan and Iraq in support of ground combat engagements. PSS-SOF allows 

the Special Operations Forces joint terminal attack controller, joint fire observers, and other 

trained users to provide highly accurate eyes-on precision target coordinates to any other target 

planning system or available weapon delivery system. Increased precision allows greater speed 

in target destruction, fewer and smaller weapons, fewer civilian and military casualties, less 

collateral damage, and the use of fewer delivery platforms, thereby resulting in lowered costs. [172]

In 2006, the DPSS scene matching software evolved with precision fire image and was urgently 

requested by the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army. The high effectiveness and field 

portability of this system have added thousands of Special Operations Forces and Army users 

to the targeting community. Multiple joint exercises involving the DPSS precision fire images 

application were conducted in 2007. In 2008, a pocket-sized forward entry device was introduced 

in a collaborative effort among the Army, USJFCOM, and China Lake. In addition, a prototype 

DPSS system was installed on USS John C. Stennis that can rapidly anchor a tactical image to 

the DPSS database to produce a highly accurate coordinate that can be used to target precisionguided weapons. USS John C. Stennis requested installation of this prototype for use during 

operational deployment in support of the War on Terror. [71]

The DPSS tools have now moved beyond the tactical aviation community as a force multiplier to 

the Army artillery community. For example, PSS-SOF is being taught in theater by U.S. Central 

Command and the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) and was formally integrated 

into schoolhouses from all services, including the Army Artillery Schoolhouse at Fort Sill, 

Oklahoma. [170] [172] [219]
 80 | Arming the Fleet

Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS)

The JHMCS allows pilots to aim sensors and air-to-air and 

air-to-ground weapons and view flight parameters without 

using the aircraft’s instruments or heads-up display (HUD). 

This system gives pilots the advantage of first-shot high offboresight weapon engagement in the high-g within-visualrange air-to-air environment by allowing pilots to look, lock 

on, and fire without having to maneuver their aircraft into 

position. Without this system, pilots could not fully utilize 

the agility and high angle-off capability of missiles like the 

AIM-9X. In air-to-ground engagements, JHMCS enhances 

lethality and survivability by reducing cockpit head-down 

and target-acquisition times. Initially, JHMCS was used by 

single-seat aircraft or by only the pilot in dual-seat aircraft, thereby limiting JHMCS’s potential. 

However, in 2008, China Lake completed developmental testing of the aft-seat installation of 

JHMCS, which greatly improves aircrew situational awareness and enables target acquisition 

from either cockpit in both air-to-air and air-to-ground engagements, thus significantly 

improving F/A-18 lethality and survivability. China Lake also completed developmental testing 

of Mini‐Quadeye, a two-tube version of Quadeye, the night-vision element in JHMCS. [172] [204]

LITENING Pod

Since 1970, when China Lake released the laser spot tracker, NAWCWD has made continual 

progress in the development of laser TDDs. One of the latest systems in that effort is the 

LITENING pod, a laser target designator pod offering precision strike in day, night, and adverse 

weather conditions for fighter and tactical strike aircraft. To achieve this goal, LITENING has 

a high-resolution FLIR sensor and a charged coupled device camera for target imaging in both 

the visible and invisible spectra. It has a wide field-of-view search capability and a narrow 

field-of-view targeting capability. An inertial navigation sensor has line-of-sight and automatic 

boresighting capability. Lastly, LITENING has a laser designator, laser tracker, and laser marker 

for precise delivery of laser-guided munitions. [141] [204]

As a result of an ongoing effort at China Lake, the LITENING pod can now be utilized by several 

aircraft platforms. In 2003, the F/A-18 AWL demonstrated the ability to retrofit F/A‐18Ds with 

the pod, and, in 2008, VX-9 completed operational assessment of the integration software for the 

EA-6B Improved Capability II (ICAP II). [172]

Tactical Dissemination Module (TDM)

The TDM is a revolutionary new portable computer/radio system that creates customized realtime targeting strike packages for specific aircraft. In conflict, the rules of engagement require 

positive target identification before weapon release, and TDM helps the Warfighter identify the 

appropriate target. If Special Operations Forces personnel, for example, identify a time-critical 

target, they can digitally photograph the target, determine the approximate GPS coordinates, 
Weapon Systems | 81

and then transmit the data back to Central Command, which decides which weapon is currently 

available (target–weapon pairing) to make the call for fire. When the TDM receives the call for 

fire over a secure network, the target package generator automatically fills in the fields on a 

computerized worksheet and formats the information into a standard nine-line message specific 

to the launch aircraft. Reconnaissance images, as well as preexisting satellite imagery, are then 

resized and oriented for pilot ease of use. In addition, the location of friendly forces or enemy 

surface-to-air threats is identified. These funnel-feature navigation aids are used to lead the 

aircraft and weapon to the target. Sequential images get progressively larger in scale as the target 

approaches. This package is sent through a secure network to the forward dissemination element 

(FDE) portable computer/radio field equipment, which then transmits directly into the cockpit of 

the strike aircraft by one of numerous RF data link methods.

China Lake invented and developed the TDM in 1993 as part of the RPTS project. The Navy’s 

first TDM system was demonstrated in 1994 and was installed on six U.S. Navy ships. In late 

2002, the TDM was deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation Southern Watch. During 

Operation Iraqi Freedom, as coalition forces captured Baghdad International Airport, the FDE 

and TDM were immediately relocated there for the duration of the conflict. The TDM supplied 

more than 900 target packages to coalition bombers during its 8-year deployment (2002-2010) in 

Iraq. During that time, more than 200 engineers and technicians from China Lake provided the 

training, sustainment, and technical reach-back for every detachment. Using satellite and relay 

aircraft, designers are extending TDM’s range from the current 180‐mile limitation to virtually 

anywhere in the world. [49] [54] [60] [170]

Sensor Systems

Automatic Radar Periscope Detection

and Discrimination (ARPDD) System

Existing maritime radars can detect periscopes in open oceans 

without much difficulty, but, in littoral waters, the effort 

becomes manually intensive because the system generates 

numerous false positives that operators must constantly sort 

through to find target hits. The ARPDD system is a radar 

upgrade designed to increase the capability of existing 

maritime radars to automatically detect exposed periscopes in 

cluttered littoral environments, while maintaining extremely 

low false alarm rates. The increased capability is provided 

by a faster antenna rotation rate that allows for increased 

resolution. In addition, quad processors are used to increase 

the radar’s processing power to accommodate the complex 

algorithms developed by NAWCWD for the ARPDD system. [172] [208]
 82 | Arming the Fleet

A contractor test flight of the ARPDD system being developed for the Navy’s MH-60R was 

conducted in early 2010, and the T&E phase continues on the system, with a tentative 2013 

installation date. The ARPDD could eventually be modified and installed on other aircraft, 

including UAVs, with only minor adjustments to account for differences in flight profile. [172] [208]

Distributed Ground-Based Threat Detection System (DGTDS)

MANPADS underscore the asymmetric nature of modern 

warfare—one person toting a $25,000 IR-guided missile 

has the ability to destroy a military aircraft. To counter this 

threat, NAWCWD developed the DGTDS, an “automated 

missile warning system designed to provide reliable, timely, 

and accurate missile location information of shoulderlaunched SAMs within the volume under surveillance by 

a network of sensors.” In essence, sensor nodes are placed 

throughout the area under surveillance and monitor the area 

between the nodes for threat missile activity. The DGTDS 

sensors look for the unique signatures of SAMs, while 

eliminating background interference from other non-threats 

in the area. When a threat is detected, a signal is sent to a central processing unit to deploy 

countermeasures. [210]

In 2006, NAWCWD began developmental testing on two-node and four-node systems and 

fired combinations of MANPADS and rockets to determine launch-detection performance. The 

system’s capabilities were successfully demonstrated in a series of live fire demonstrations for 

visiting officials, including the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense and the Department 

of Homeland Security. The DGTDS team received a Commander’s Award for their outstanding 

efforts.

Patriot Radar Rangefinder

The Patriot Radar Rangefinder system is a submarine-mast-mounted miniature contact avoidance 

and situational awareness radar system. This radar provides, for the first time, precise situational 

awareness to submerged platforms. NAWCWD, in partnership with the Naval Undersea Warfare 

Center, developed the radar to fill a capability gap made apparent by the collision of a Los Angeles 

class submarine with a Japanese research ship off the island of Oahu.

The system was developed and demonstrated in 13 months, and the radar performed as designed, 

receiving rave reviews from crews familiar with its capabilities. Since then, the Patriot system 

has been installed on more than 30 U.S. submarines. For their work, the NAWCWD-led Patriot 

team was nominated for the prestigious David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award. In 2008, 

a HUD was added to the Patriot Phase A system to improve observation and search procedures. 

In 2009, laboratory, land, and sea testing was completed on the Phase B system. The success of 

these tests led to low-rate initial production by China Lake. [177]
Weapon Systems | 83

Precision Strike Navigator (PSN)

China Lake initiated the PSN Program to develop advanced inertial guidance components for use 

in next-generation precision-guided bombs, with particular attention paid to making the fiberoptic gyro more accurate, less costly, and mass producible. The goal of the PSN Program was to 

create a system that could maintain GPS accuracy in the presence of near-target GPS jamming. 

Tests were performed at two independent facilities, and the program’s performance goals were 

achieved. The components were also produced by using mass production methods in accordance 

with program goals. The effort resulted in the only known mass-producible high-performance 

gyro technology. In 2004, NAWCWD began to transition this technology to industry to produce 

inertial measurement units for JSOW and JDAM. [172]

Shared Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP)

SHARP is an airborne reconnaissance pod for the F/A‐18E/F 

Super Hornet. The pod provides the Warfighter with the 

advantage of day or night reconnaissance, nearly realtime data link capability, and nearly instantaneous image 

processing. The F/A-18 AWL led the software development 

and integration effort. SHARP achieved early operational 

capability in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 

and initial operational capability a year later. The operational 

assessment was performed at China Lake by VX-9. In 2009, 

China Lake took the initiative to fix a SHARP cable drive 

assembly in house. The fix, initially scheduled to take 4 or 

5 days, was completed in 2 days and saved the government 

$145,000. Because of this effort, the cable drive assembly is no longer a “for order only” part, 

and future repairs will continue to save $145,000 per unit. [55] [172] [204]

To provide an all-weather capability to SHARP, a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) was added. The 

addition of SAR to SHARP also increased its standoff capability. The NAWCWD F/A‐18 IPT 

was vital to the integration process, and VX-30 performed the necessary testing. [54]

Communication Systems

Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS)

MIDS provides the F/A-18 with a secure, high-capacity, jam-resistant, lightweight digital 

system for data and voice communications and navigation. Operationally, MIDS will provide the 

capability to interchange command and control, navigation, relative positioning, and voice and 

identification data among airborne, ground-based, and shipboard terminals. In 2002, a MIDSequipped F/A-18 from China Lake participated in the Joint Combined Interoperability Evaluation 

Team exercise that demonstrated the interoperability of MIDS with joint and international 

platforms. In 2004, Point Mugu led a successful effort to bring the MIDS to the EA-6B platform. 
 84 | Arming the Fleet

MIDS is currently undergoing transition to the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS). The goal of 

JTRS is to produce a family of interoperable modular software-defined radios that operate as 

nodes in a network to ensure secure wireless communication and networking services for fixed 

and mobile forces. In support of this effort, China Lake is conducting test flights of the MIDS 

JTRS on the F/A-18F. [83] [172] [177] [204]

Rapid Attack Information Dissemination

and Execution Relay (RAIDER) 

RAIDER is a communication system that significantly 

improves the dynamic targeting timeline by providing 

machine-to-machine digital communications for the major 

data link systems currently fielded. RAIDER operators are 

able to receive an air support request, build the re-tasking 

message, and transmit it over the appropriate data link 

directly to the attacking aircraft or controlling platform. 

During the Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise 2006 

(JEFX06), a RAIDER concept car demonstrated initial 

capabilities and new future enabling technologies, such 

as tactical targeting networking, common data link, and 

securable tactical cellular telephones. RAIDER has formally transitioned to the Objective 

Gateway Program at the Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB. In 2007, three RAIDER 

systems were deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and NAWCWD civilian engineers continue to 

support them in theater. 

The RAIDER team also participated in a USJFCOM-sponsored exercise known as “Bold Quest.” 

Bold Quest was a blue force tracking event in which a RAIDER unit was used in a coalition 

environment to disseminate both blue force position and strike information. The RAIDER 

Program has been working with the Objective Gateway Program to solidify acquisition plans for 

an initial operational capability of the Ground Mobile Gateway. NAWCWD is currently working 

with U.S. Air Forces in Europe on the delivery and support. [172] [180]

Weapon Data Link (WDL)

The WDL is a communication system to provide a low-cost data link for transferring terminalphase precision target position of moving land targets. The WDL utilizes existing communication 

bands, and its technology is appropriate to legacy weapon systems. The data link is also compatible 

with power, weight, and space limitations. [172] [219]

In 2005, the WDL was successfully demonstrated at China Lake by communicating with a JDAM 

to engage a moving radio-controlled truck. The target’s position was continuously tracked by 

an F/A-18’s onboard sensor, and updates were provided by the aircraft’s communication system 

to the JDAM by using the WDL. The two-way link demonstrated WDL’s ability to transmit 
Weapon Systems | 85

real‐time weapon status back to the host aircraft during the JDAM’s free fall. T&E of the WDL 

are ongoing. [172] [203] [219]

Aircrew Safety

National Parachute Test Range/Naval Test Parachute Team

Parachute work has been a central component of aircrew safety at NAWCWD since 1979, when 

the National Parachute Test Range, along with the Naval Test Parachute Team, was relocated to 

China Lake. The team tested several novel systems, including the first ram-air parachute and 

NASA’s Space Shuttle crew escape system, and the range was used by many federal agencies, 

including airborne firefighters from the Forestry Service. Allied countries also traveled to 

China Lake to test on the range. The British military, for example, tested its High-Altitude Life 

Support System on it. Although the range and team were officially disbanded in 2005, the Human 

Systems Department at NAWCWD and qualified parachutists throughout the Fleet continue to 

improve upon legacy systems and design new systems to guarantee aircrew safety for years to 

come. [172] [177]

Parachute Qualification

NAWCWD performed the testing to qualify the thin-pack parachute for the P-3 and E-2C aircraft. 

The new system is, essentially, a vacuum-sealed parachute. Hermetically sealing the pack provides 

a number of significant advantages: first, the system is very lightweight, roughly half the weight 

of the Vietnam conflict-era NB-8 system used in the P-3; second, at a 5.5‐year repack cycle, 

the system has a much longer service life; third, the compact size eases egress from aircraft in 

emergency situations. The types of tests conducted include air drops involving mannequins and 

aircrew, structural integrity tests at the China Lake Shock Tower Facility, and environmental 

testing in various temperatures and conditions. The thin-pack system for the P-3 aircraft 

(A/P22P-21) achieved initial operational capability in 2001, and the system for the E‐2C aircraft 

(A/P22P-20) was released later in the decade. [177]

China Lake also performed qualification testing on the IGQ Type 6000 parachute for use on the 

new JSF Mk-16E ejection seat. The new system has some distinct differences from pervious 

systems—like a larger canopy, a central release point, and a harness that is actually incorporated 

into the ejection seat—thus making testing that much more critical. [172]

The thin-pack parachute and the IGQ Type 6000 are recent examples of parachute testing, but this 

testing has been done at China Lake for years. For example, in the 1980s and 1990s, China Lake 

qualified the GQ Type 2000 and 5000 utilized in the Navy aircrew common ejection seat and the 

ram-air parachutes used by the U.S. Marine Corps (MC-5) and the Navy (MT-1XS/SL). [211]
 86 | Arming the Fleet

Ejection Seat Propulsion

In 1957, China Lake was tasked with developing a rocket 

motor that could successfully eject a pilot from an aircraft 

during takeoff and landing, at high speeds at low altitudes, 

and under other less-hazardous conditions. To complicate 

matters further, the motor had to work in temperatures 

ranging from -65°F to 165°F and be compatible with those 

on various Navy aircraft. China Lake met those requirements 

with the Rocket-Assisted Personnel Ejection Category I 

(RAPEC I), which was released for production in 1960. 

RAPEC I was a two-phase booster and sustaining rocket that 

could successfully eject a 365-pound man–seat mass from 

an aircraft. Building upon the success of RAPEC I, China 

Lake developed the RAPEC III, a system very similar to the RAPEC I but with a modified 

booster assembly to better control the total g and the onset rate. [212]

As China Lake made significant advances in weapon propulsion technology, it was able to apply 

that knowledge to ejection systems. For example, by using thrust vector control technology, 

China Lake hoped to increase seat stability during launch. Initially, this technology was aimed 

at providing increased stability to the pitch plane, but studies on multiple-axis thrust vector 

control techniques were also conducted. The Vertical-Seeking Ejection Seat program took this 

technology one step further by demonstrating the ability to launch an ejection seat in a nearly 

inverted position, with the seat then uprighting itself and continuing to fly vertically. A followon project, the Microwave Attitude Reference System, provided the seat with local vertical 

reference, as well as terrain and obstacle avoidance. In the final test of this system, the cockpit 

was suspended 100 feet above ground level at 135 degrees of roll angle. From this position, the 

ejection seat dropped less than 30 feet before reorienting itself to a vertical trajectory. The test 

dummy separated from the seat at 213 feet above the ground and reached a maximum altitude of 

237 feet above the ground before the parachute deployed. Although the vertical-seeking escape 

system, in conjunction with the Microwave Attitude Reference System, provides the potential 

to greatly reduce aircrew fatalities and injuries, the ejection seat has yet to be released for Fleet 

use. [151]

Testing

China Lake has several facilities that accommodate testing 

parachutes, ejection seats, escape systems, and other aircrew 

safety devices, one of which is SNORT. The SNORT facility 

contains two separate tracks, one that is 4 miles long and 

one that is 3,000 feet long, each equipped with a variety of 

cameras and sensors to capture pertinent test data, such as 

velocity, range, and azimuth. The facility enables speeds 

up to Mach 3, thereby allowing NAWCWD personnel to 
Weapon Systems | 87

test aircrew safety systems at speeds similar to those in which the system will be deployed 

on the aircraft. The G-4 track is particularly ideal for high-speed parachute testing because it 

terminates at the edge of a 500-foot-deep basin, thus providing more time to deploy and monitor 

the system. [211] [213]

The HIVAS and drop towers are also used to ensure that aircrew safety systems perform as 

designed when needed. In the HIVAS, parachutes are tested under high dynamic pressure 

conditions, similar to in-flight airflow conditions, and drop towers are used to evaluate the 

structural integrity of parachute systems (i.e., the straps and harnesses).

Fuze Development

Fuzes are critical to a guided missile’s success because they cause the weapon to detonate at the point 

where the explosion will do the most damage. Developing and improving fuze technology were the 

objectives of one of the first projects assigned to China Lake in the 1940s. When World War II ended, 

the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff listed the atomic bomb, radar, and the proximity fuze as the three most 

significant developments of the war; China Lake had an integral part in the development of all three. 

Since World War II, Warfighter weapons have evolved from traditional general purpose bombs to PGMs, 

such as LGBs. With these systems, “target kill with one weapon” is expected. To achieve this goal, 

NAWCWD is increasing the reliability of current bomb fuzes by incorporating techniques employed 

in missile fuzes. NAWCWD is also streamlining many switches, cables, connectors, lanyards, and 

initiators to improve the technology. 

Advances in fuze technology at China Lake provide the Navy with world-class design capabilities and 

have included TDDs, contact sensors, electromechanical SADs, and fuze antennas, with hundreds of 

designs and components in Fleet use. To improve the technology, new fuze systems under development 

will interface and communicate with the aircraft, thereby eliminating the need for the external fuze 

components and the associated electrical and mechanical interconnects. These new systems will also 

increase the weapons’ overall reliability and safety; however, this technology is several years away.

China Lake also developed the universal rocket motor AFD to prevent accidents, such as the 1967 

disaster aboard USS Forrestal. This single device replaced a vast proliferation of rocket motor AFDs 

that were in the Fleet until the 1970s and offered significant improvements in safety and reliability.

NAWCWD has been involved in countless fuze development projects during its history, but only a few 

are mentioned in the sections that follow. 

Fuze Components and Technology

NAWCWD has developed several fuze components and advanced numerous technologies to improve 

fuze capabilities. For example, in 1953, China Lake developed the SAD, which is a fuze component 

that isolates the detonator from the warhead booster charge until the launched weapon achieves a safe 

distance. SADs ensure safety in missile handling, shipping, storing, and launching. There are nearly 
 88 | Arming the Fleet

three quarters of a million SADs in the Fleet today. China Lake also developed a universal AFD to 

remotely safe and arm rocket motor ignition devices. 

In the mid-1960s, China Lake developed edge detection for use in most Navy antiair missiles. Edge 

detection increases the probability of detonating the warhead while the target is within its lethal range, 

rather than using a simple timed detonation, which makes the warhead explode at a specific time, 

regardless of the target. In addition, China Lake developed the fore-and-aft adaptive logic used in longrange missiles. As a result of this technology, the warhead detonates at the optimum time.

NAWCWD also applied pseudorandom-noise modulation to TDD designs to take advantage of spread 

spectrum techniques, in which the transmitted signal is spread over a wide frequency band, thereby 

providing a lower-density signal than conventional signals. For fuzing applications, this technique 

makes the signal difficult to detect, while providing a high-resolution target-detection capability. 

Electrical Timer Fuze

NAWCWD developed the FMU-143E/B series fuze, which incorporates only a simple electrical 

timer triggered by a mechanical escapement. This fuze has been the legacy unit for hard-target bomb 

configurations because it does not use complex logic. Variants of this fuze exist for the Navy and the 

Air Force.

Active Optical Fuze

China Lake developed the first active optical fuzes using solid-state lasers. TDDs use an active source, 

such as a laser, to detect the target. The active optical TDD provides high-range resolution information 

and narrow-beam control, thereby improving the ability to place the warhead fragments on the target. 

Active optical fuzes are used in TDDs for antiair and anti-surface missiles. For example, the DSU-10 

fuze was developed by NAWCWD in 90 days during 1968 to meet a Vietnam conflict requirement and 

was used on the Standard ARM. The DSU-15 laser proximity fuze was developed for the Sidewinder 

missile, and the DSU-19 fuze was developed for the HARM. 

Electronic Bomb Fuze

In 2005, NAWCWD began working on a spiral development that extended operational time, expanded 

arm/delay time options, improved weapon interface, and significantly increased reliability. The 

FMU‐139C/B electronic bomb fuze, the first phase of this progression, increased the reliability of 

bomb fuzes from 75 to 98%. This fuze is an electromechanical impact/impact-delay fuzing system 

incorporating an in-flight cockpit setting capability with multiple arming and multiple function delay 

sections. The FMU-139C/B fuze is being tested for use in several weapons, including JDAM. Several 

successful live fire bomb tests were conducted in 2009, and fuze manufacturing is in progress, with 

deliveries already being received for Fleet use. 

The FMU-164 is the next-generation electronic bomb fuze being developed by NAWCWD. This fuze 

will combine the electronic capabilities of the FMU-139C/B fuze with the hard-target penetration 

capabilities of the FMU-143 fuze. This fuze is expected to be operational for Fleet use in 2016.
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 89

Electronic Warfare (EW)
 90 | Arming the Fleet

In addition to the more-conventional forms of airborne warfare (i.e., bombs and missiles), 

NAWCWD also possesses expertise in EW (i.e., radar jammers and countermeasure devices). 

NAWCWD has the personnel, the facilities, and experience to provide the Warfighter with every 

possible advantage in prosecuting EW missions. The EA-6B Systems Integration Facility at Point 

Mugu, for example, is the only airborne electronic attack facility of its kind, and VX‐9 conducts 

operational T&E of EW systems and software for Navy and Marine platforms.

EA-6B Prowler

The EA-6B Prowler, an EW platform based on the A-6 Intruder strike aircraft, provides softand hard-kill SEAD and signals intelligence for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. To ensure its 

relevancy over the course of its operational life, the EA-6B has undergone consistent upgrades, 

resulting in nine variants, from the Standard version that entered the Fleet in 1970 to the ICAP III 

version released in 2005. NAWCWD supports this work with development and testing at both 

China Lake and Point Mugu. In fact, Point Mugu is responsible for hardware and software 

integration for the EA-6B. As such, that organization’s contributions are too many to list in full. 

However, some examples of that ongoing effort will help to illustrate the advantage provided to 

the Warfighter by Point Mugu through the EA-6B platform. [204]

Point Mugu developed the software and displays that enable the MIDS to work with the EA‐6B. The 

system provides the EA-6B aircrew with increased situational awareness and data management 

capabilities, improves traffic separation, reduces task load, and allows for GPS non-precision 

approaches. The EA-6B was the first tactical Navy aircraft to have these capabilities. The

AN/ALQ-218(V) Tactical Jamming Receiver (TJR) system also provides increased capabilities 

to the EA-6B, and Point Mugu was once again an essential component in bringing that capability 

to the Fleet. [92] [172] [204]

Electronic Warfare (EW)
Electronic Warfare (EW) | 91

Point Mugu integrated, tested, and validated the AN/ALQ-218(V), the designated receiver 

system for the EA-6B ICAP III used in conjunction with the AN/ALQ-99F(V) Tactical Jamming 

System (TJS). This receiver allows the EA-6B to carry out selective reactive narrowband and 

reactive full-band jamming; cue the HARM in its most effective range; and perform jamming, 

surveillance, and missile launches simultaneously. For the ALQ-218 to perform as designed, 

complex software must be developed to control it and the systems with which it interacts. These 

software programs are called Operational Flight Programs (OFPs), and NAWCWD has been a 

leader in EA-6B OFPs for decades. [204]

As the Electronic Warfare Software Support Activity (EWSSA), Point Mugu supports all EW 

software, including OFPs, for the EA-6B. NAWCWD releases OFPs to the Fleet yearly for 

various reasons (e.g., to integrate new hardware onto the platform, to increase the capability 

of existing hardware, or to allow the platform to engage new threats) but always with the 

singular goal of providing the Warfighter every advantage possible. VX-9 lends its support to 

this process by flight testing the software to validate its performance; catch any defects; and, if 

defects are found, recheck the system once the defects are remedied. The Airborne Electronic 

Attack IPT at Point Mugu has so much expertise and experience that the team was chosen to 

provide development, test, and integration support for the EA-18G EW platform. To help with 

this tasking, the EA-18G Systems Integration Laboratory was built at Point Mugu. [92] [172]
 92 | Arming the Fleet

EA-18G Growler

The EA-18G Growler is the Navy’s new EW platform that will eventually replace the EA-6B as 

the cornerstone of the Navy’s airborne electronic attack mission. The EA-18G aircraft is based 

on the F/A-18F Super Hornet platform and provides electronic attack and SEAD capabilities 

similar to those of the EA-6B, but with several major advantages over the legacy aircraft. First, 

the EA‐18G has afterburners, thus making it faster and more maneuverable than the EA-6B. The 

EA‐18G also has greatly enhanced jamming, communication, and radar equipment. For example, 

the EA-18G has the ability to communicate with other aircraft and ships, while simultaneously 

performing its jamming mission—thanks to the Interference Cancellation System (INCANS). 

Because the EA-6B could not perform those functions concurrently, it had to risk being off-line 

for up to hours at a stretch. Another important advantage the EA-18G has over the EA-6B is the 

increased number of pods carried—nine to the EA-6B’s five. This increase allows more flexibility 

in EA-18G mission planning by allowing the platform to carry a variety of jammers, radars, fuel 

pods, and air-to-surface and air-to-air weapons, without having to sacrifice one for another. The 

ability of the EA-18G to carry air-to-air weapons is, in itself, an increased capability from the 

EA-6B. The EA-18G can carry two AIM-120 AMRAAMs for self-protection. The EA‐18G was 

released to the Fleet in late 2009, but, before that could happen, years of development and testing 

were conducted, in which NAWCWD took a large role. The following paragraphs describe some 

highlights of that effort. [170] [172] [204] [214]

In much the same way that it did for the EA-6B, NAWCWD supported integration efforts on the 

EA‐18G. In one effort, Point Mugu performed integration work on the INCANS and ALQ-99 TJS 

to give the EA-18G that critical ability of simultaneous jamming and communication mentioned 

earlier. Other integration efforts include the APG-79 AESA radar, the ALQ-227 Communication 

Countermeasures System, the ALQ‐218 TJR, the HARM, and the AMRAAM. The EWSSA at 

Point Mugu also performs software work on the EA-18G, developing, updating, and releasing 

OFPs, EW software suites, threat files, rapid reaction files, electronic intelligence files, and other 

software as needed. [204]

NAWCWD T&E squadrons also supported the EA-18G, testing both software and hardware. Tests 

included developmental and operational testing of the entire EA-18G system and its subsystems, 

including the first live fires of the AMRAAM and HARM over the China Land ranges. [204]

NAWCWD is also actively engaged in projects to enhance the EA-18G, like the Next-Generation 

Jammer (NGJ). The NGJ is intended to replace the ALQ-99 TJS and deploy on the EA‐18G in 

2018. This jammer is currently in the technical maturation stage, with four contractors providing 

concept and technology demonstrations. NAWCWD provides subject-matter experts to review 

proposals, provide recommendations, and help develop the NGJ 

master plan. [172]
Electronic Warfare (EW) | 93

Acknowledging Success

NAWCWD has received a variety of awards in recognition for its contribution to the field 

of EW. The following is a short list, in no particular order, of some of those honors. [215]

• The EA-18G Flight Test Team, which consisted of VX-9, VX-31, VX-30, 

and the AWL, received the 2007 Society of Flight Test Engineers James S. 

McDonnell Award for Outstanding Team Achievement in the Field of 

Flight Test Engineering.

• Point Mugu received a Congressional Record Acknowledgment from the 

Honorable Elton Gallegly in tribute to the Electronic Warfare Center of 

Excellence and its past and current contributions to our national defense.

• The EA-6B ICAP III and the EA-18G Tactical Aircraft Programs were 

awarded the 2006 David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award as a 

result of their teamwork synergies.

• The Jet-Assisted Takeoff (JATO) Team at Point Mugu earned the 

Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award in 2006 for fielding an essential new 

jamming capability for the Marine Corps in support of the War on Terror.

• The Association of Old Crows awarded the EA-18G IPT its IPT of the 

Year Award in 2008 for furthering the aims of the association in support 

of U.S. or allied EW.

• The EA-18G IPT received National NAVAIR Commander’s Awards in 

2008 for achievements in RDT&E and science and technology.

• The Electronic Warfare Database Support Team received a National 

NAVAIR Commander’s Award in 2009 for their quality of service. 
 94 | Arming the Fleet

I can tell you that systems developed and tested at WD [the Weapons Division] played a critical 

role in our success in Fallujah, including DPSS, TDM, and the F/A-18 aircraft integration of 

the GBU-38, the 500-pound JDAM. I personally witnessed a GBU-38 surgical strike take out a 

building being used by insurgents in a crowded neighborhood, while leaving the buildings next 

door unharmed. The work done at WD is making a difference in the War on Terrorism.

—Captain Dan Lee

 Military Director, Weapons and Energetics Department
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 95

Unmanned Systems (UxS)
 96 | Arming the Fleet

Unmanned Systems (UxS)

Mission. NAWCWD is one of the Navy’s foremost activities that field UxS. Several teams, including 

the Unmanned Systems Activity (USA), are involved with this UxS effort. The USA is responsible for 

UxS in all domains—air, ground, surface, and subsurface—and provides all the components needed to 

launch, control, and recover these systems. In addition, NAWCWD is a technical lead for UxS sensors, 

weapons integration, cost and effectiveness analyses, and T&E.

In fiscal year 2011, UxS efforts outpaced those for manned systems in terms of total flight hours 

accumulated and revenue generated for the China Lake Land Ranges. UxS work is a strategic thrust 

area for NAWCWD, and UxS work continues to grow.

NAWCWD—Early Pioneer of UxS Technology

UxS are no longer in the realm of science fiction and have become 

a real and effective weapon in reconnaissance and close-air support. 

NAWCWD has a long history of proven capabilities in this field and 

has been a significant force in bringing many new technologies to 

today’s warfighters.

NAWCWD’s aerial target drones of the 1960s—typically refurbished 

and reconfigured combat aircraft, such as the QF-4 Phantom II—

are precursors to today’s unmanned aircraft. The supersonic QF-4, 

a reusable full-scale target drone modified from the F-4 Phantom, 

provides a realistic full-scale target for air-to-air weapon system evaluation, development, and testing. 

The drone can be flown by remote control or with a safety pilot to monitor its performance. The QF‐4 

is equipped to carry electronic and IR countermeasure systems to fully evaluate fighters, as well as 

weapons flown and fired against it. Full-scale drone aircraft can be operated entirely by computer or be 

controlled manually during takeoff and landing by using a mobile control station located at the drone 

runway.

In 1985, NAWCWD supported UAV development, test, and evaluation programs with its efforts in the 

BQM-74C and the Pioneer remotely piloted vehicle programs. Point Mugu flight tested the Pioneer 

UAV, while China Lake conducted net testing—recovery of the aircraft after launch. Pioneer later 

gained fame during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm after flying hundreds of 

surveillance sorties. One of the most iconic images from Operation Desert Storm shows a group of 

Iraqi soldiers surrendering to a Pioneer aircraft—the first time enemy soldiers had ever surrendered to 

a UAV. The enemy was soon captured by U.S. ground troops. The Pioneer program officially ended 

in 2008, but the success of Pioneer led to the development of an array of more advanced aircraft. 

Today, the Pioneer systems are being reconstituted as target drones. These are just a few examples of 

NAWCWD’s successful early history in the evolution of UxS.
Unmanned Systems (UxS) | 97

NAWCWD UxS Firsts

First Flights

•	 Northrop Grumman Corporation’s RQ-8 (Fire Scout) and 

X-47A (Pegasus)

•	 FAA-authorized transcontinental flight from Patuxent River 

to Point Mugu by Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Global 

Hawk

•	 Navy’s ScanEagle 

First Launches

•	 AGM-114P against moving target from Army Sky Warrior; 

single AGM-114 (Hellfire) off MQ-1 (Predator A); and 

ripple fire of AGM-114s from MQ-9 (Predator B)

•	 Air-to-Air Stinger from MQ-1 

First Releases

•	 GBU-39 JDAM from MQ-9 (Reaper)

•	 GBU-12 (Paveway II) from MQ-1 and MQ-9 (Reaper)

•	 GPS-guided small smart bomb (SSB) from the Boeing X-45A 

Other Noteworthy Firsts

•	 First to support UAV search and rescue on land and at sea with Predator B

•	 First full power GPS jamming testing against MQ-9 

NAWCWD—Current UxS Role

NAWCWD Combat Support

NAWCWD personnel integrated, tested, and qualified for flight a number of specialized unmanned air 

system payloads to support combat operations in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi 

Freedom. The integrations were conducted as rapid acquisition projects—each being completed in less 

than 18 months. These systems are regularly used to support combat operations. Additional prototypes 

and integration of new capabilities have been requested.

UAV Success in War on Terror, Osama bin Laden

According to a May 17, 2011 article in the Washington Post entitled, “CIA flew stealth drones into 

Pakistan to monitor bin Laden’s house,” the United States employed sophisticated new stealth drone 

aircraft to fly dozens of secret missions to monitor the compound where Osama bin Laden was eventually 

killed. Drones provided high-resolution video that satellites could not provide. The article explained 

that drones were also used on the night of the raid, providing useful imagery for President Obama and 

his national security team. The new drones represent a major advance in the capabilities of remotely 
 98 | Arming the Fleet

piloted planes, which have been the signature weapon against terrorism since September 11, 2001. 

As one of the Navy’s foremost activities to field UxS capabilities, NAWCWD is proud to be part of a 

national DoD team developing new tools for today’s warfighters.

UxS Full-Spectrum Support

There are few places in the nation where UxS customers can enjoy full-spectrum (cradle-to-grave) UxS 

RDT&E support. Regardless of the stage of development, from new unproven systems to battle-tested 

systems pushing the weapons test envelope, NAWCWD can handle any requirements. Whether the 

customer needs large time and airspace blocks for sensor operator training or multiple weapon launch 

scenarios, NAWCWD supports many concurrent operations. In addition, NAWCWD controls military 

restricted airspace, so authorized customers do not need to obtain an FAA certificate of authorization 

to operate UAVs on the ranges. 

Intellectual Capital

With more than 2,000 science and engineering professionals (47% of workforce) and more than 

600 science and engineering technicians (15% of workforce), including 100+ PhDs and 600+ employees 

with master’s degrees, NAWCWD has the highly advanced intellectual capital necessary to respond to 

any urgent DoD or contractor requirement.

Cost Efficiencies/Optimum T&E Weather

Benefitting from more than 350 clear days per year, NAWCWD has optimum meteorological conditions 

that few UxS testing locations nationwide can match. If there is a technical problem, a customer can 

reschedule to fly the next day, if necessary. Customers save time and money by testing in one location.

UxS Weaponization

The UxS field has evolved so rapidly that there has been very little standardization. There are a multitude 

of size designs, ranging from very large platforms (equivalent to airliners) down to vehicles that can fit 

in the palm of a hand and can fly over land and sea, and some that operate in undersea environments. 

Therefore, engineers are considering all possibilities across a broad spectrum when developing future 

weapon options. 

Forward-Firing Miniature Munition (F2M2) (Formerly Called Spike)

China Lake is credited with developing the world’s smallest guided missile, the F2M2. Weighing 

about 6 pounds, this fire-and-forget missile is approximately 24 inches in length and is suitable for 

a variety of unmanned and manned systems; it is accurate and portable—designed to be shoulderor platform-launch capable. 

Miniature Guided Bomb Unit (MGBU)

Engineer teams are researching and developing the MGBU, a miniaturized gravity bomb for lineof-sight applications. The MGBU weighs less than 4 pounds and is designed for accuracy, with 

minimal collateral effects. It can be utilized by small UAVs such as the small tactical unmanned 

aerial system (STUAS) and RQ-7 Shadow.
Unmanned Systems (UxS) | 99

GPS-Guided Miniature Munition (G2M)

Engineers are developing a 40-millimeter-sized precision miniature munition called the G2M for 

non-line-of-sight applications. It is intended to be compatible with shoulder- or platform-launched 

applications. G2M is undergoing navigation testing and development of other critical system 

components and subsystems. Future development options may include integration of sensors and 

components to expand capability and increase range.

The F2M2, MGBU, and G2M are being developed to provide small UxS and dismounted forces with 

a standoff precision engagement capability with minimal collateral effects. 

UxS Payload Integration—System-of-Systems

Standards-Based Approach

UxS platforms require multiple payload capabilities with various size, weight, and power constraints. 

Since point solutions are often unaffordable and unsustainable, China Lake designed, built, and applied 

system-of-systems engineering to develop a standards-based stores management approach that is 

both platform and payload agnostic. The small, lightweight, low-power, interoperable system can be 

integrated across domain platforms for strike and force protection with many payloads—including 

nonlethal weapons. In addition, NAWCWD has made significant advances in MEMS, nanotechnology, 

micro-explosives, and super-capacitor technology that are significantly reducing the size and weight 

power supply requirements for UxS. Nanoplasmonics and metamaterials accommodate the need 

for miniaturization of optoelectronic components that are critical to reduce the footprint and weight 

of future weapon systems. With more than a dozen unmanned combat system firsts in the industry, 

NAWCWD maintains a strong leadership position in the UxS battlefield of tomorrow. 

Shipboard Efforts 

•	 Performed ship integration efforts for Pioneer; maritimized vertical takeoff-and-landing UAV 

system (MAVUS); Tactical Air-Launched Decoy (TALD) and Improved Tactical Air-Launched 

Decoy (ITALD)

•	 Performed shipboard flight certification and operational demonstration with MAVUS

•	 Performed shipboard operations with Fire Scout unmanned aerial system (UAS)

Naval Integrated Operations

•	 Integrated Predator UAS flown from San Nicolas Island into Fleet Composite Training Unit 

Exercise 96-1A for training exercise surveillance, reconnaissance, mini-strike (day and night), 

and mobile target track support 

•	 Integrated Predator, ScanEagle, and Raven UAVs into Tomahawk operational test launch, an 

effort that allowed for tactical targeting and battle damage assessment

•	 Demonstrated successful tactical control system (TCS) level 5 command and control (using 

Block 0 with Predator, Block 2 with Fire Scout)

•	 Participated in the unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) integration for Predator/Reaper 

Hellfire, GBU-32, and Fire Scout Hydra 2.75-inch rockets 

•	 Support and host Black Dart counter-UAS flight operations on an annual basis 

•	 Conduct flight test programs for the entire array of UxS 
 100 | Arming the Fleet

UxS Flown/Tested on

NAVAIR Ranges

UxS Land Range Testing

The following have been flown/tested on NAVAIR ranges: AeroLite, Aerosky, Aerosonde, Amber, 

Dakota, Dragon Eye, Exdrone, Falcon Prowl (United Kingdom), Fire Scout, Global Hawk, Global 

Observer, Hunter, Joint Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) X-45A, MAVUS, Medium-Altitude 

Endurance UAV (MAE UAV) (MQ-1, MQ-9), Micro Air Vehicle, Pegasus, Pioneer, Pointer, Predator, 

Raven, Reaper, REECE, ScanEagle, Shadow, Sky Owl, Sky Warrior, Swift, Switchblade, TALD, TCS, 

Tilt Rotor UAV System (TRUS), UAV-Medium Range (UAV‐MR), UAV-Short Range, Vertical Takeoff 

and Landing Tactical UAV, Wasp. 

Drone Aircraft and Surface Craft Testing

Testing has been conducted on the following: AQM-37, BQM-34, BQM-74, BQM-126, BQM-145, 

High-Speed Maneuverable Seaborne Target (HSMST), KD‐2R5, MA-31, MST, QF-4, QF-86, QST‐35, 

Vandal.

UxS Sea Range Testing

A wide variety of UxS have been tested on the Sea Range, including ScanEagle flights supporting the 

Collaborative On-Line Reconnaissance Provider Operationally Responsive Attack Link (CORPORAL) 

JCTD; the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance–Demonstrator (BAMS-D); RQ-8A ship testing—MQ-8B 

Fleet Operational Site (2013); Raven Acceptance Test Plan and Fleet Demonstration; AeroVironment 

fleet of vehicles (Puma, Switchblade, Wasp); and the Predator fleet exercise.

UxS Research and Development

(China Lake and Point Mugu)

Active Protect Payload

The objective of the active protect payload effort is to provide the Warfighter with a safer operational 

environment and extended remote operations for unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). The active 
Unmanned Systems (UxS) | 101

protect payload consists of warning mechanisms and a malodorant deterrent that are controlled through 

an operator trigger or an autonomous response, which are both under development at NAWCWD. 

Multiple sensors, such as an RF identifier or a 360-degree camera, provide situational awareness to 

determine potential threats. 

Command and Control Software

NAWCWD and ONR engineers are improving the interoperability of command and control software. 

Early UxS command and control software required extensive links. Each link was a tightly engineered 

point-to-point connection that had to be individually designed, built, tested, and maintained. In 2008, 

NAWCWD engineers studied service-oriented architectures (groups of services that communicate with 

each other) to understand how this technology might improve UxS control. In the Tactical Metadata 

project, engineers analyzed three extensive DoD command and control software architectures and 

modified one by using a Simple Object Access Protocol consumer-based web service (proven, stable 

Hypertext Transfer Protocol [HTTP] technology). Final side-by-side comparisons of the three software 

architectures showed no difference in performance, but the adapted software required far fewer 

connections. NAWCWD is now collaborating with ONR to improve upon that organization’s force 

discovery service software, which has similar capabilities. Combined research results will save the 

DoD millions of dollars in total life-cycle costs by reducing manpower, eliminating the need to buy a 

new control station for every UxS (users will simply buy the command and control service that will 

control multiple platforms), and reducing the resources required for payload integration—integration 

with one system instead of many. These new tools are making it easier to get the right information to 

the right person at the right time so that the correct decision can be made.

CORPORAL and Project Cassandra (2008-2011)

NAWCWD provides invaluable support for CORPORAL, a JCTD effort. CORPORAL was designed 

to integrate an on-demand electronic attack capability onto a UAS to assist ground troops. Part of that 

effort was Project Cassandra, which demonstrated the ability to integrate a networked electronic attack 

capability onto a UAS; it also provided an extension of line-of-sight connectivity to ground forces. 

Project Cassandra involved utilizing the Iron Nail III electronic attack payload on an Aerostar UAS to 

demonstrate the advantage that UAVs can provide to the Warfighter. 

Fire Scout Payload Integration

The objective of the Fire Scout payload integration effort is to integrate a multiple payload capability 

onto the VTUAV to allow intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions to capitalize 

on targets of opportunity and shorten the kill chain. The complete payload control suite was integrated 

into the existing MQ-8B airframe. 

Joint Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS)

NAWCWD acted as the Navy’s technical lead for the J-UCAS program in software, sensors, weapons 

integration, cost and effectiveness analyses, and T&E. The J-UCAS was intended to provide autonomous 

surveillance, SEADs, and strike capability for the Air Force and Navy. NAWCWD supported the program 

from its earliest stages. The very first flight of an experimental J-UCAS at China Lake was conducted 
 102 | Arming the Fleet

on February 23, 2003. Weapon drops from Boeing’s X-45A UCAV 

were also conducted on NAWCWD ranges, and Predator/Stinger 

tests have also been carried out here. NAWCWD was the M&S lead 

for this effort. The J-UCAS program has helped spawn the Navy–

Unmanned Combat Air System (N‐UCAS), Unmanned Combat Air 

System–Demonstration (UCAS-D), and Unmanned Carrier-Launched 

Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) efforts—all of which 

were supported by NAWCWD. 

Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)

NAWCWD continues to develop multi-point initiation systems for MEMS devices. Extensive testing 

with MEMS is being conducted to contribute to the production of micromachines, micro-integrated 

circuits, and microoptics for UAS applications. 

Metamaterials and Nanoplasmonics

The need for miniaturization of optoelectronic components is critical to reducing the footprint and 

weight of future weapons systems. The latest NAWCWD developments offer the potential to overcome 

diffraction limits, thus enabling devices to be built in the sub‐wavelength scale. Another newly 

discovered application of these metamaterials is a novel physical effect of the nonlinear properties. 

Nonlinear metamaterials can shield objects from high-power laser beams. It has been observed that the 

shielding strength increases with increasing laser power. Investigations are being conducted in areas 

such as metamaterial antennas for UxS, as well as nanoplasmonics.

Petrus Engagement Technology for UxS

The goal of the Petrus effort is to provide a precision targeting solution to meet current ISR and fleet force 

protection needs. NAWCWD’s role is to develop exploitation algorithms for hyper-spectral imagery 

and integrate those algorithms onto small UxS and their control stations. This technology applies 

to ground, air, and surface platforms. Petrus could be deployed on UxS for ISR target classification 

support, maritime protection, and ground force protection from oncoming vehicles and insurgents. 

Radiant Virgo

In the Radiant Virgo effort, NAWCWD researchers developed an application that provides automated 

geo-registration of tactical full-motion video obtained from UAS electrooptical and IR sensors. With 

the use of commercial imagery and a digital point positioning database, the system can derive precise 

and accurate coordinates to aircraft or PGMs to engage targets in nearly real time. 

Raven

The Raven is a small 4-pound UAS that is used by the Marine Corps and Navy for ISR support to small 

tactical units, such as Marine company-sized units. NAWCWD supports RDT&E of special payloads 

and sensors for targeting and for ISR. The Raven incorporates an electrooptical (IR) sensor and a 

targeting camera, is hand-launched by a single operator, and has no runway requirement. 
Unmanned Systems (UxS) | 103

Raven Advanced Targeting (RAT) Payload

The goal of the RAT payload effort is to provide operating forces with an organic capability to map 

(in high detail) areas of interest. NAWCWD developed precision targeting software that was used to 

achieve imagery resolution that is sufficient to provide category 1 target coordinates. The software is 

located on the forward observer system. 

ScanEagle

ScanEagle is a 40-pound UAS used for ISR missions by Marines 

and Special Operations Forces on the ground and by Navy ships at 

sea. ScanEagle has a longer endurance capability and can carry more 

payload than the Raven. The RDT&E of special payloads and sensors 

support targeting and ISR efforts that utilize small UAS. Several of 

the payloads now being integrated at NAWCWD will be sent directly 

to the theater to support operations. The ScanEagle requires only one 

or two operators and is capable of auto-takeoff and auto-recovery. 

Other capabilities include forward control. This UAS incorporates an 

identification friend or foe transponder, an electrooptical or IR camera, and a Remotely Operated 

Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER) downlink. No runway is required for launch and recovery. 

Super-Capacitor Technology

Working with private industry, NAWCWD researchers are developing super-capacitors to significantly 

reduce the size and weight of the power supply units, as well as the portable electronic devices used 

for the communication, computing, surveillance, and sensing functions, for air weaponry and UAVs. 

Another goal is to utilize safer and more environmentally friendly materials. 

Ultra Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle 

Heavy Fuel Engine (UE UAV HFE)

A team led by NAWCWD and including Aircraft Division and Army Research Laboratory personnel 

created the UE UAV HFE, a lightweight, efficient heavy-fuel engine. The engine, when tested at 

Patuxent River and at contractor facilities, demonstrated the required power, weight, and efficiency. 

This effort is aligned with DoD’s single-fuel initiative to improve safety and simplify logistics and to 

improve durability and altitude performance. 

UAS Mission Training Device

NAWCWD engineers collaborated with Army engineers to develop a standards-based simulation 

training system that provides UAS operators with a virtual environment for proficiency training, 

mission rehearsal, and emergency procedures applications. The system uses 100% government 

off‐the‐shelf/commercial off-the-shelf software and is used to simulate the control of STUAS or any 

STANAG-4586 command and control aerial vehicle system. Currently, the system provides training 

for the Army’s Shadow, Hunter, and Extended-Range Multipurpose Programs. 
 104 | Arming the Fleet

Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs)

NAWCWD personnel are conducting R&D of new capabilities 

of ground vehicles. The UGVs’ functions include explosive 

ordnance disposal (EOD)/bomb disposal, route clearance, 

and reconnaissance. A demonstration grew out of a CRADA 

between NAWCWD and the iRobot Corporation to work with 

the Marine Experimentation Center to integrate the Mk 7 

Antipersonnel Obstacle Breaching System onto iRobot’s 710 

Warrior robot chassis. The operational vignette was initially 

configured as a route clearance scenario. However, the mission 

was broadened to include potential scenarios of crowd dispersal 

and engagement of enemy combatants (2009). Efforts continue 

with future integration of nonlethal weapons to provide a scaled response to imposing threats.

Unmanned Sea Vehicle (USV)

Sea-Based Defense

NAWCWD is developing numerous USV systems demonstrating cooperative autonomy between 

multiple USVs employing nonlethal weapons for seaport of debarkation, as well as gas and oil 

platform protection. Unmanned maritime patrol and intercept capability synergized with nonlethal 

weapon equipment provides security personnel added time to assess a threat at great distances. With 

the use of platform agnostic integration architecture, this capability prevents exposing manned vessels 

to potential threats during periods of uncertainty. Greater protection of U.S. high-value assets can be 

achieved through this layered defensive system. The process is as follows.

1.	 Threat assessment. The USVs autonomously and collaboratively assess incoming targets 

through equipped sensors. As the first defense layer, the USVs autonomously detect intrusion 

based on priority rule sets and call supervising human operators. 

2.	 Sound and light warning engagement. Next, human operators manually engage the nonlethal 

weapon directed sound and light array (DSLA). The USVs autonomously maneuver to focus 

the DSLA to illuminate and warn nonhostile intruders. 

3.	 Firing of flash-bang and flare-bang. As the third defense layer, human operators fire flashbang and flare-bang nonlethal weapon rounds to further demonstrate intention to deter intruding 

vessels by clouding the operator’s vision. As intruding vessels continue past these increasing 

warning levels, aggressive intent is established and human operators will engage and defend 

as appropriate. 
Unmanned Systems (UxS) | 105

UxS Testing and Evaluation

(China Lake and Point Mugu)

Global Hawk Transcontinental Flight (2008)

NAWCWD supported the first FAA-authorized Global Hawk transcontinental flight from Patuxent 

River, Maryland, to Point Mugu to support Trident Warrior ‘08 and Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) ‘08. 

GPS-Guided GBU-49 (2008)

NAWCWD personnel supported an exercise in which the 658th Aeronautical Systems Squadron test 

team completed the first live releases of the GPS-guided GBU-49 weapon from an MQ-9 Reaper at the 

China Lake Land Ranges.

GPS-Guided Weapon Release From Unmanned Aircraft (2004)

The Land Ranges hosted the first test of a GPS-guided weapon released from an unmanned aircraft 

when an X-45A technology demonstrator for the J‐UCAS program dropped an inert GPS-guided SSB, 

which successfully hit a ground target.

Griffin Air-to-Surface Missiles Weaponization for Predator (2009)

NAWCWD began testing Griffin air-to-surface missiles for integration onto the Predator using the 

Hellfire interface and performed both live and inert drops of JDAMs from the Predator. 

iRobot Crowd Control Demonstration (2010)

NAWCWD engineers and the iRobot Corporation conducted 

a successful demonstration/simulation exercise in which 

unmanned ground and air vehicles worked together to effectively 

disperse a simulated crowd of people. First, the remote UAV 

ScanEagle and Raven, flying overhead, identified the crowd/

problem and communicated that information to the ground 

team, who then loaded the iRobot 710 Warrior robot chassis 

with Venom V-10, a nonlethal tube-launched munitions system 

that provides coverage at near, mid, and extended ranges. Once 

within range, the unmanned iRobot launched nonlethal flash 

bangs, smoke rounds, sting balls, hailers, combination rounds, 

and long-range warning signals to disperse the “crowd.” This 

experiment proved the effectiveness of using several unmanned 

platforms to collaboratively address a problem.

Pegasus X-47A (First Successful Flight) (2003)

China Lake personnel provided key support of the first flight of a Northrop Grumman Corporation 

Pegasus experimental UAV in 2003. In this successful exercise, which took place on the China Lake 

Land Ranges and lasted 12 minutes, the Pegasus landed near a predesignated touchdown spot that 

simulated the tail hook arrestment point on a carrier flight deck. 
 106 | Arming the Fleet

Predator A UAV Weaponization (2005)

An MQ-1 weaponized Predator A scored several direct hits with Hellfire missiles on simulated enemy 

targets located on the China Lake Land Ranges.

Predator UAV Weaponization With Hellfire (2001)

The Hellfire missile was integrated and tested with the Predator UAV on the NAWCWD Land Ranges 

before being sent in theater to support the Warfighter in the War on Terror. In February 2001, an Air 

Force Predator fired an AGM-114C against a ground target during an air combat demonstration. This 

groundbreaking test proved the Predator’s ability to operate as a tank killer with the ability to selfdesignate its Hellfire missiles.

ScanEagle First Flight (2008)

The successful initial flight of the first unmanned ScanEagle test vehicle owned by the Navy took place 

on the China Lake Land Ranges. 

Vigilante UAV Weaponization With Spike (2008-2009)

In 2008, the Vigilante UAV completed a captive-carry flight with a Spike missile, which was 25 inches 

in length and 2.25 inches in diameter and weighed 5.3 pounds. In 2009, Spike was fired for the first time 

from a UAV using the NAWCWD-developed UAV-capable AFCS. In that event, when test engineers 

fired Spike from the top of a small mountain, the missile made a direct hit of a moving target nearly 

a mile and a half away on the valley floor. These tests demonstrated Spike’s ability to acquire and 

track targets while being remotely operated. Both Spike tests also successfully demonstrated the UAVcapable AFCS developed by NAWCWD.

China Lake UxS Facilities and Equipment

This publication has an entire chapter devoted to laboratories and facilities. Therefore, this section 

highlights only those facilities that conduct significant UxS work. Most facilities are multipurpose and 

serve a wide variety of DoD needs.

Flash Site UxS Facilities

NAWCWD must maintain the ability to conduct a broad range of air and land test and training operations 

and activities that support warfighter requirements and provide the decision-quality data required to 

support UxS mission areas. Flash Site, within the ECR, provides an environment to consolidate UxS 

RDT&E tactical and small tactical systems with expeditionary ground systems for a more efficient 

integrated capability. During fiscal year 2010, Global Hawk was the top user of ECR, logging more 

than 200 flight hours.

Integrated Battlespace Arena (IBAR)

The IBAR is an advanced simulation facility. Nine interconnected laboratories and facilities provide 

simulation and analysis—from the subcomponent to theater levels—with a degree of fidelity, 

flexibility, and dependability unparalleled in the DoD. Facilities are linked worldwide with multiple 
Unmanned Systems (UxS) | 107

fiber-optic networks, including the SIPRNET and DREN. In addition, the complex offers extensive 

range microwave telecommunication capabilities.

Mobile Command and Control Laboratory (MCCL)

The MCCL is a freightliner business class M2 truck, a configuration that allows for remote testing 

(launch, recovery, and mission) of unmanned ground and air platforms. This facility is equipped 

with command and control radios and is designed to support the integration of any test platform or 

equipment. This self-contained and self-powered laboratory is capable of providing data distribution 

over multiple networks.

Payload Integration Laboratory

The Payload Integration Laboratory maintains a complete remote operations center and electronics 

laboratory, including state-of-the-art spectrum and signals processing equipment, and is capable of 

conducting missions or simply mirroring actual operations of the MCCL. Facilities include a complete 

suite of electronics tools, to include oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and soldering stations. 

Rapid Prototyping Facility

The Rapid Prototyping Facility, a 9,000-square-foot complex located at the China Lake airfield, is 

designed to support rapid prototyping of all types, tactical wheeled vehicles, aircraft, and subsurface 

craft. The facility can handle classified projects as needed and can house small- to medium-sized 

vehicles for any modifications required when customers come to China Lake for weapons test and 

validation. 

The Rapid Prototyping Group provides select weapons engagement zones for emerging low collateral 

weapons suitable for Group 1 through Group 5 UAVs and involves coordination with the weapon 

prime contractors and program managers. Work includes running 6-degree-of-freedom simulations to 

calculate the probability of hit and probability of kill of tactically representative shots against varying 

targets. NAWCWD also conducts weapon evaluations and tactics for all UAVs. These data are the 

backbone of tactical concept of operations for UxS, which have a primary ISR mission and must be 

capable of immediately engaging high-priority hostile targets. Comprehensive analysis data are used 

to quickly develop unmanned prototypes for rapid deployment when urgent warfighter needs arise. 

Runways

China Lake has three runways: 14/32 is 9,103 feet long; 21/03 is 9,992 feet long and is equipped with 

arresting gear; and 26/08 is 7,702 feet long and is also equipped with arresting gear. China Lake also 

has a dedicated 2,200-foot-long unmanned airstrip that is combat aircraft loading area enabled.

Software Engineering Laboratory

The Software Engineering Laboratory is ideally suited for developing and testing software, with 

complete life-cycle analysis in mind. Weapons racks and platforms are available for safety and endto-end testing. Common control system development, prototyping, test, and evaluation are currently 

under way.
 108 | Arming the Fleet

Systems Integration Laboratory

The Systems Integration Laboratory is a 14,000-square-foot building that is currently occupied by a 

premiere Air Force UxS activity responsible for payload, systems integration, and weaponization of 

tactical persistent and penetrating unmanned air system.

Unmanned Systems Facility (USF)

The USF can simulate all aspects of UAS in flight, including 

command and control sensor integration. The facility is an 

ideal test bed to rehearse combat scenarios; refine processes 

for collecting, recording, and handling data; evaluate sensors 

and data links; and identify critical events prior to live testing. 

All USF models are higher level architecture and distributed 

interactive simulation compliant and easily integrated with 

other IBAR or live assets. The backbone of the USF is the 

Multiple Unified Simulation Environment (MUSE)/Air Force 

Synthetic Environment for Reconnaissance and Surveillance 

(AFSERS) UAS suite—developed under the auspices of the 

Joint Technology Center/Systems Integration Laboratory at Red 

Arsenal—which simulates flight characteristics of most military UAS. MUSE also includes a control 

station surrogate featuring maps, data links, and vehicle controls.

Equipment/Instrumentation

China Lake operates and maintains a full suite of instrumentation for T&E, including those for radar 

tracking, telemetry, photo-optics and video, land and air surveillance, voice communications, and 

data processing and displays. Instrumentation is available across both the North Range (R-2505 and 

R‐2506) and South Range (R‐2524). These ground-based assets include the Navy’s largest dedicated 

electronics warfare range. Real-time data transfer with other DoD and contractor facilities is available 

through multiple fiber connections, as well as via wireless data links, at most test sites.

Data Links and Communication Systems 

System Engineering/Analysis

•	 Communications Paths/Networks Types

•	 Communication Relays

•	 Blue Force Situation Awareness

•	 Integration With Ground Forces Tools/Equipment/

Systems

Component Engineering—PSS-SOF

Modeling and Simulation (M&S)

•	 Data Rates/Sharing 

•	 Data Types/Resolution
Unmanned Systems (UxS) | 109

•	 Payload Control/Re-tasking 

•	 Communications Relay

Operational–Virtual Environment 

•	 Networking

•	 Link Encryption

Land Range Real World Verification

•	 North Range—RF Spectrum Isolation

•	 Spectrum Issues/Frequency Management

Integrated Fleet Operations

•	 Joint Exercises

•	 Special Operations Forces 

Tracking and Surveillance Systems

•	 Fixed and Mobile Telemetry

•	 EW Systems

•	 Radars 

•	 Spectral Characterization

•	 Optical Systems

Navy Target Systems

China Lake is the Navy lead for the development and operation of Land Range targets in support of 

the Fleet, DoD, and foreign military customers. This role includes development and production of 

EW threats for tactical training ranges, moving/relocatable threats/targets, missile plume simulators, 

shootable RF threats/targets, laser threats, GPS jamming, and hostile fire indication testing. 

Point Mugu UxS Facilities and Equipment

Coast Guard UAV Facilities

NAWCWD, the Naval Base Ventura County, and the Coast Guard are exploring a plan to house UAVs 

at Point Mugu. That location would have operational advantages for the Coast Guard as it executes its 

Deep Water Program, a multiyear, multiphase effort to replace its vessels, aircraft, and technology. Not 

only would the partnership with Point Mugu provide a maritime test environment for the new UAVs, it 

would also provide expertise; NAWCWD has the engineering capabilities to outfit the UAVs with the 

specialized sensors and instrumentation required for the Coast Guard mission. In addition, the UAVs 

that are housed in the existing hangar on the flight line would have immediate access to the operational 

and test areas, all within a secure, restricted airspace.
 110 | Arming the Fleet

Runways

Point Mugu has an 11,000-foot-long primary runway, and San Nicolas Island has a 10,000-foot-long 

runway. Land masses at San Nicolas Island and Vandenberg AFB can also be used for emergency 

recovery. 

San Nicolas and Santa Cruz Offshore Islands

San Nicolas Island provides a platform ideally suited for testing in the marine environment. It 

approximates a shipboard platform, but with all the advantages of a mainland test site. Land recovery 

in small or remote areas may be performed. In addition, launch and recovery aboard small surface craft 

or ships up to the destroyer class may be performed. The San Nicolas and Santa Cruz offshore islands 

offer dedicated hangars, launch pads and surface craft, and chase aircraft.

Equipment/Instrumentation

Point Mugu operates and maintains a full suite of instrumentation for T&E, including tracking radar, 

telemetry, photo-optics and video, sea and air surveillance, voice communications, and data processing 

and displays. Instrumentation is available at Point Mugu, Laguna Peak, San Nicolas Island, and Santa 

Cruz Island. These ground-based assets are augmented by airborne instrumentation aboard NP-3D 

Orion aircraft to ensure effective data collection over the entire 36,000-square-mile range. Real-time 

data transfer with other DoD and contractor facilities is available. An extensive library of real-time and 

post-flight data products is available on almost any media. Customized displays and data products are 

available.

Tracking and Surveillance Systems 

•	 Tracking and control rooms including real-time graphics systems, data display, and naval tactical 

data systems

•	 “Hybrid” Furuno surface surveillance radar

•	 Cast Glance (stabilized P-3 or A-3 airborne photo-optical system)

•	 Data links to other long-range surveillance radars at Vandenberg, San Clemente Island, and 

San Pedro

•	 Three P-3A aircraft for airborne telemetry (numerous range aircraft and surface craft are available 

to support UxS T&E)

Data Links and Communication Systems

•	 Link-16 terminal at San Nicolas Island and antenna set at Point Mugu

•	 Air Defense System Integrator

•	 Link-16, 11, 4A

•	 DREN

•	 Defense Information System Network–Leading Edge Service

•	 Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System

•	 Secret Defense Research and Engineering Network (SDREN)

•	 Networked Capabilities, such as Global Command and Control System–Joint, Global Command 

and Control System–Army, Maritime Operations Center, Command Air Operations Center 
Unmanned Systems (UxS) | 111

Navy Target Systems

Point Mugu is the development, engineering, and logistic support organization for all Navy target 

systems. This role includes support of air and surface targets: QST-35/35A, HSMST, MST, Robo‐ski 

(Jet Ski), and fast attack boats. Reconnaissance targets for UxS support include passive IR and 

electrooptical resolution charts, various ship classes, and several land-based targets that include 

vehicles and airfields; EW and electromagnetic threat environments; and countermeasures, such as 

airborne jammers and simulators, chaff, flares, expendable countermeasures dispensers, and surface 

emitters. 

NAWCWD Leadership in UxS 

Battlefields of Tomorrow

Engineers are immersed in the evolutionary planning stages 

for intelligent UxS. Future machines will be able to assimilate 

and evaluate vast amounts of information, transmit pertinent 

information to a human counterpart, and then determine and 

take the appropriate actions, thus eliminating the need for

humans to conduct analysis and make decisions. The machines 

of tomorrow can determine much more quickly than humans the 

best way to prosecute targets, such as establishing what kind of 

weapons and vehicles can be used and what tack has the greatest 

possibility of success—even factoring in the probability of risks 

and level of collateral damage. Future warfighters are likely to 

have personal UxS at their control—either carried or mounted 

on their vehicle—such as items that pop up, look around, and perform a wide variety of surveillance 

functions. New technologies will extend the warfighters’ senses—their eyes and ears. A technology 

for UxS that is currently on our doorstep is the sense-and-avoid safety systems now being used in the 

automotive industry. 

Scope of Operations/Customers

•	 Government: Air Force; Army Program Manager for UAS; Department of Homeland Security; 

Department of Interior; Department of Justice; FBI; USJFCOM; Joint UAS Data Information 

Exchange; Joint Unmanned Air Systems Center of Excellence; Marine Corps Special Operations 

Command; Missile Defense Agency (MDA); Naval Special Warfare (NSW); Naval Surface 

Warfare Centers: Dahlgren, Dam Neck, Newick, and Carderock; Naval Undersea Warfare Center; 

Program Executive Officer Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons [PEO(U&W)] PMA-262 

(Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems), PMA-263 (Navy and Marine Corps Small 

Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems), PMA-266 (Navy and Marine Corps Multi-Mission Tactical 

Unmanned Air Systems), PMA-268 (Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration); Program 

Manager Joint Attack Munitions Systems 
 112 | Arming the Fleet

•	 Private Industry:AeroVironment, Inc.; Boeing Company; GE Aviation Systems; General Atomics 

Aeronautical Systems, Inc.; Lockheed Martin Corporation; Northrop Grumman Corporation 

•	 CRADA Partners: ATK; DreamHammer, Inc.; GTA; iRobot Corporation; MBDA Inc.; Northrop 

Grumman Corporation; Raytheon Company 

•	 Academia:Auburn University; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Naval Postgraduate School; 

Stanford University; University of California Los Angeles; University of Colorado, Boulder; 

University of North Dakota; University of Southern California; University of Wyoming 

Immense Interconnected, Un-encroached

Land and Sea Ranges for UxS RDT&E

Enormous Ranges

NAWCWD’s land, sea, and airspace are unique natural assets and are used for extensive training and 

T&E. Additional sites in the local area include the Naval Ship Weapon Systems Engineering Station, 

Port Hueneme; the Western Space and Missile Center, Vandenberg AFB; and Yuma Proving Grounds, 

Yuma, Arizona.

Interconnectivity

With its efficient processes for joint spectrum monitoring, NAWCWD is able to support more UAV 

operations in cooperation with other DoD and FAA activities. Network connectivity is often established 

between the IBAR and the Land and Sea Range complexes. Through the IBAR, the USA is able to 

connect to virtually any DoD or commercial network. Common UxS commercial connections include 

connectivity to iRobot Corporation, Medford, Massachusetts, and Insitu, Incorporated, Hood River, 

Washington. West Coast neighbors that work closely with NAWCWD include the Air Force (Edwards, 

Holloman, Luke, Nellis, Vandenberg), the Army (Fort Bliss, Fort Huachuca, Fort Irwin), the Navy 

(NAS Fallon, NAS Lemoore, NAS North Island, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command), and 

the Marine Corps (Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity).
Unmanned Systems (UxS) | 113

Western Test and Training Range Connectivity
 114 | Arming the Fleet

If there is to be another war, the shape of it will be visualized here at China Lake. Each time I come 

here, I have an impression that I am being given a look into the future. Here, many of the weapons of 

the next war will have taken shape first in the minds of some of you now present. 

—John Nicholas Brown

Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 115

Test and Evaluation (T&E)
 116 | Arming the Fleet

Test and Evaluation (T&E)

Each year, NAWCWD conducts more than 1,500 test events, hundreds of major training events, 

and approximately 35,000 training sorties within the R-2508 complex. NAWCWD evaluates 

weapons, components, and systems in realistic environments; conducts full-scale joint live fire 

survivability testing; and tests guns and ammunition, explosives, and propellants. NAWCWD 

maintains the world’s largest collection of “shootable” ARM targets for test activities. Because 

of its isolated ranges, NAWCWD can safely detonate up to 500,000 pounds of explosives. Tests 

are also done on GPS jamming, high-power microwaves, and firefighting agents and devices. 

Parachute testing was an important test function performed at China Lake, which served as the 

National Parachute Test Range from 1979 through 2005.

Test Squadrons

NAWCWD is the home of several Navy test squadrons that help in T&E efforts. These squadrons 

are essential to the development of missiles and weapon systems at NAWCWD, as well as being 

instrumental to the Warfighter.

VX-30 and VX-31 operate under the command of the Naval Test Wing Pacific (NTWP), which 

reports to the Commander, NAWCWD. Both squadrons provide aircraft, aviators, and aircrew to 

support the RDAT&E mission on NAWCWD’s Air, Sea, and Land ranges. NTWP’s 278 military 

and civilian employees, along with 400 aircraft maintenance contractors, allow squadron pilots 

to log more than 7,800 hours of testing and training missions annually.

VX-30

The VX-30 “Bloodhounds” operate a diverse inventory 

of instrumented Navy range support aircraft and support 

many developmental programs, including the F-22 Raptor, 

Sidewinder AIM-9X, EA‐6B Prowler, Tactical Tomahawk 

Land Attack Missile, AMRAAM, HARM, and SLAM-ER. 

VX-30 also supports high-profile scientific and strategic 

customers, such as NASA, MDA, and U.S. Air Force ICBM 

improvement programs. 

VX-30 operates additional aircraft, including the F-18A/B 

Hornet, F-14A/B/D Tomcat, QF‐4N/S Phantom, LC‐130F, 
Test and Evaluation (T&E) | 117

DC-130A, and KC‐130 Hercules. Operational testing includes the ITALD II, F/A-22 Raptor, and 

Sidewinder AIM-9X. The final VX-30 flight of the F‐14 Tomcat took place in 2006, marking an 

end to an era, and the final QF-4 flight took place as Bloodhound 145 was flown to NAS North 

Island to become a display in the USS Midway museum in San Diego. 

In 2006, 12 VX-30 personnel were deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa as 

individual augmentees. More than 2,100 sorties were flown, and VX-30 supported multiple 

SLAM-ER, Tomahawk, AMRAAM, and Phalanx test flights, as well as Sea Harrier, ATFLIR 

devices, and several other projects with VX-30 F/A-18s. [173]

VX-31

The VX-31 “Dust Devils” have operated F/A-18A-F 

Hornets/Super Hornets, AV-8B Harriers, HH‐1N Hueys, 

AH-1W Cobras, T-39 Saberliners, and SA‐227 Metroliners. 

A variety of warfighting improvement programs were 

supported on all platforms. VX-31 has flown more than 

2,787 total sorties, with 4,802 flight hours in support of 

aircraft and weapons programs. 

The APG-79 AESA radar for the F/A-18E/F was one of the 

major programs supported by VX-31 in 2005, and OPEVAL 

began. The squadron returned to flight mission duty for the 

Space Shuttle Discovery, and one VX-31 crew staged a Huey at Edwards AFB in support of the 

shuttle’s return. In addition, VX-31 provided range support and T&E for a revolutionary new 

network centric warfare tool called the Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT). TTNT 

was designed to enable all entities in the battlespace to provide nearly real-time information, 

including video, to the Atlantic Ocean Region Commander to reduce the kill chain reaction time. 

In 2005, 140 personnel from the Navy, Air Force, and DoD civilian and contractor communities 

descended on China Lake to test the new wireless system. More than 500 VX-31 man-hours and 

25 flight hours were dedicated to this project. 

During 2006, the squadron continued developmental test of current and future combat aircraft, 

weapons, and associated weapon systems and provided enhanced combat capabilities for the 

F/A-18A-F Hornet, AV-8B Harrier, and AH-1W Cobra platforms. VX-31 welcomed the arrival 

of the AH-1Z Cobra and UH-1Y and the EA-18G Growler. At the close of 2006, VX-31 was 

actively supporting 35 separate developmental T&E projects for weapons, aircraft, and associated 

systems. [174]

VX-9

VX-5 moved to China Lake from Moffet Field in 1956 and merged with VX-4 from Point 

Mugu to become VX-9 in 1995. The VX-9 “Vampires” conduct operational T&E of all air-toground weapons, air-to-air weapons, sensors, EW systems, and mission software upgrades to 

aircraft and weapon systems. More than 350 VX-9 personnel maintain and fly a diverse fleet 
 118 | Arming the Fleet

of approximately 20 aircraft used in the demanding and 

dynamic role of operational flight test in support of both 

Navy and Marine Corps tactical aviation. VX-9 currently 

operates and tests the F/A‐18E/F Super Hornet, F/A-18A-D 

Hornet, AV‐8B Harrier, EA-18G Growler, and EA-6B, as 

well as the AH‐1W/Z Cobra and UH-1Y helicopters. The 

squadron logs more than 3,800 flight hours annually and is a 

tenant of NAWS at China Lake. 

During Operation Enduring Freedom in late 2001, VX‐9 

performed a quick-reaction assessment for the GBU-32 

1,000-pound JDAM. Eight test missions were conducted, 

and VX‐9’s efforts resulted in rapid fielding. In addition, VX‐9’s testing on ISR programs such 

as SHARP, ATFLIR, and LITENING II has given Navy and Marine Corps platforms an increased 

capability to counter IEDs and support troops in enemy-controlled territory. Also during Operation 

Enduring Freedom, VX‐9 finished Hellfire quick-reaction testing in only 4 weeks, normally a 

4-month or longer operation.

Marine Aviation Detachment (MAD) 

Although the MAD’s headquarters were established in 1987, Marines have been stationed at 

China Lake since 1943. The detachment operates under the command of the Aviation Department, 

Headquarters, Marine Corps.

The mission of MAD is to provide project management, aviation support, technical expertise, 

and Fleet support for assigned Marine Corps weapon systems and related devices throughout 

the weapon systems’ life cycle. MAD accomplishes this objective by supporting developmental 

and operational testing at VX-31, VX-9, and elsewhere and by providing warfighter input to the 

engineers and support personnel of NAWCWD through Marines who are based at China Lake and 

Point Mugu. MAD also provides project management, aviation support, and technical expertise 

for assigned Marine Corps weapon systems and subsystems, as well as mission planning at both 

China Lake and Point Mugu. 

The MAD works diligently to ensure that those who go into harm’s way receive nothing but 

the most reliable and effective weapon systems available and are ready for any major regional 

contingency. MAD responds to Fleet needs as the operating forces continually refine tactics, 

techniques, and procedures to increase mission effectiveness and enhance force protection 

against an evolving set of threats. 

Land Range T&E Efforts

The size, location, and environment of the NAWCWD Land Ranges make them ideal for T&E 

efforts. While it would be impossible to discuss each significant accomplishment in this document, 

several NAWCWD Land Range T&E efforts are worth mentioning.
Test and Evaluation (T&E) | 119

Empire Challenge 

China Lake hosted the Empire Challenge exercise from 

2004-2009. Empire Challenge was a 2-week exercise to 

demonstrate and evaluate intelligence-gathering techniques 

and joint and coalition warfighting operations. The exercise 

initially hosted approximately 700 people from Great 

Britain, Canada, and Australia who brought a large-scale 

multinational military force to China Lake, including aircraft, 

sensors, equipment, and personnel. By 2009, however, 

Empire Challenge evolved to more than 1,500 civilian and 

military personnel at China Lake and was being led by the 

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, partnering with 

the National Reconnaissance Office and the USJFCOM.

Empire Challenge used numerous key NAWCWD assets extensively, such as the Airspace 

Surveillance Center and the Range Signal Density Enhancement Team at the ECR. The goals of 

each Empire Challenge have focused on specific exercises important to the Fleet at that time. 

For example, during the 2007 Empire Challenge, exercises demonstrated joint and coalition 

interoperability among ISR platforms, sensors, and systems. The idea for the exercise was 

developed after combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan identified technical issues with the 

sharing of ISR information with allies. This was the largest and most-complex series of ISR 

system tests and technology in that it combined real-time surveillance with preplanned and 

nontraditional reconnaissance, using a worldwide network to reach back and collaborate with 

allies in Australia; Canada; Great Britain; and the NATO Consultation, Command, and Control 

(NATO C3) Agency. Ground operations tested manpower and equipment simulating real-life 

situations in theater, including convoy attacks by opposing forces, small arms fire, and IEDs. 

Imagery intelligence and ground moving target indicator (MTI) data were data linked in real time. 

The data were screened and relayed via a Global Broadcast Service uplink to receiving stations at 

the Royal Air Force Marham in England; the Defense Imagery and Geospatial Office in Canberra, 

Australia; and the Canadian Forces Defense Headquarters in Ottawa, Canada. Analyzed and 

exploited intelligence data products were then sent from those long-distance locations back to 

China Lake on a secure network. [172]

Enterprise Expeditionary Strike Warfare 

Architecture (eESWA) 

A U.S. Navy and industry team completed the successful 

demonstration of the eESWA, an advanced targeting and 

strike capability that will drive the requirements for network 

centric strike systems of the future. The experimental 

demonstration showcased how a horizontally integrated webenabled capability can dramatically accelerate the sensor-toshooter cycle from several hours to under 10 minutes. 
 120 | Arming the Fleet

The initial eESWA demonstration, held at the Precision Engagement Center at China Lake, 

brought together for the first time an integrated, open architecture for ISR; time-critical targeting; 

and strike mission planning and execution. This demonstration was the first time the Navy 

had brought together so many capabilities in a horizontally integrated, open architecture and 

represented a tremendous step forward in determining the forward-looking strategy for programs 

like Joint Service Imager Processing System and the Distributed Common Ground Station. [63]

Fast Cookoff Testing

During the 1960s, the U.S. Navy experienced major aircraft 

carrier disasters aboard USS Oriskany, USS Forrestal, and 

USS Enterprise; each accident was caused by ordnance 

burning and detonating from the heat of deck fires. Hundreds 

of sailors died, and scores of aircraft were destroyed or 

damaged. China Lake engineers responded, devising a 

method for exposing ordnance to a simulated carrier fire 

to determine how much time the crew would have to react. 

This procedure, known as fast cookoff testing, involved 

collecting data by using thermocouples and time-to-reaction 

instrumentation. Attempts were later made to test materials 

that would stretch the time between the onset of the fire and a violent reaction. The sophisticated 

technology necessary to understand the reaction of the ordnance, however, did not yet exist. China 

Lake had been using real-time X-ray technology for years to test rocket motors, and engineers 

wanted to use this same technology to investigate the reaction of a rocket motor in a pool of fire. 

When China Lake developed a high-energy real-time X-ray system, such tests became possible. 

Test engineers still had to design special hardware and use unique applications of currently 

available materials to fit the extraordinary test environment. The most notable challenges were a 

high-flux 2,000°F pool fire, blast from a rocket motor exhaust plume, and blast and fragmentation 

from a rocket motor blowup. These had to be dealt with, while simultaneously acquiring realtime X-ray data of sufficient quality to diagnose the reaction of the rocket motor. A dramatic 

2,000-pound bomb test was later conducted, and these highly successful tests resulted in a full 

understanding of why and how rocket motors reacted. As a result, rocket motors were redesigned 

to allow more time before any would react to a fire. [158]

Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise 2006 (JEFX06) 

JEFX06 was a highly focused multinational, multiservice experiment designed to rigorously 

assess and make recommendations on selected capabilities in the battlespace. The exercise focused 

on continuous theater planning and dynamic execution, as well as goals from the Department of 

Homeland Security; operations were successful in all objectives. 

During the exercise, simulated tracks and images were transmitted from the IBAR at China Lake 

to the Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration (GHMD) Tactical Auxiliary Ground System at 
Test and Evaluation (T&E) | 121

Patuxent River, Maryland, where tracks were nominated into the Commander, 2nd Fleet Common 

Operational Picture, and images were chipped and posted to the Imagery Transformation Services 

website. GHMD was also used to develop and refine concept of operations, tactics, techniques, 

and procedures, while providing maritime operational and intelligence data to various homeland 

security/homeland defense nodes.

Rapid Airborne Mine Clearance System (RAMICS)

A 50-foot-diameter, 32-foot-high steel tank filled with 

450,000 gallons of water was built into the side of a remote 

hill at China Lake. Mounted on a platform some 500 feet 

farther up the hill was an AH-1F Cobra gunship with 

its M197 20-millimeter Gatling gun pointed toward the 

surface of the water. Several feet below the water surface, a 

simulated enemy mine was moored. The tank and platform 

constituted a new test facility built for the RAMICS 

Advanced Technology Demonstration. The demonstration 

showed that shallow-water naval mines could be neutralized 

with a specially designed projectile fired from a helicoptermounted laser-targeted 20-millimeter Gatling gun. This 

effort was sponsored by the ONR and was directed from the Naval Surface Warfare Center 

Dahlgren Division’s Coastal Systems Station. [113]

Shootable Remote Threat Ground

Target (SRTGT)

In 2007, the SRTGT Project Team completed the design of a Ford F350 target vehicle that 

incorporated a scoring system, a TSPI system, a laser emitter, and a trailer and towed target 

system. The team also increased speed capability to 90 miles per hour. Limited production of the 

target has started for a variety of uses. [172]

Supersonic Naval Ordnance Research Track (SNORT) Upgrade 

In 2007, China Lake modernized the 50-year-old SNORT’s recording and controller system from 

legacy to analog data over solid-copper control lines to state-of-the-art digital controllers riding 

over dedicated fiber-optic cables. This upgrade involved installing more than 14 miles of direct 

buried fiber-optic cable, terminating in 47 different points along a 6-mile track. [172]

Shortly after the upgrade, China Lake conducted a successful Mk 70 drag run at SNORT. This 

was the second firing run after finishing the SNORT upgrade. SNORT used an existing sled that 

was powered by two Mk 70 solid rocket motors to obtain a thrust profile for a propulsion motor 

that was recently added to its inventory. The successful firing produced a velocity of higher than 

Mach 2. The velocity was monitored by various instrumentations devices, such as a velocity 

measurement system and a tracking mount. The data were measured at 100-foot intervals along 

the main 4.1-mile track. At shorter intervals, there were portable tracking systems, which were 
 122 | Arming the Fleet

used to determine the barriers involved in testing, as well as for protection upon the accidental 

release of weapons. Over the course of 50 years, SNORT has logged more than 9,000 track test 

runs. [177]

Sea Range T&E Efforts

The NAWCWD Sea Range is significant to T&E efforts for sea tests. The range has offered 

an extensive array of testing capabilities, which helped provide the Warfighter with a strategic 

advantage. 

Combat System Ship 

Qualification Trial (CSSQT)

In 2006, the Sea Range conducted the first-ever triple ship 

developmental and operational test event that included 

USS Mobile Bay, USS Halsey, and SPS Blas de Lezo 

(Spanish Navy Airborne Early Warning Ground Integration 

System [AEGIS] frigate), an effort that covered a wide range 

of T&E requirements. In addition, aerial and surface littoral 

T&E operations were conducted in both tracking and live fire 

environments. This event concluded with the largest-ever surface 

warfare layered defense live fire operational test event against 

the largest number of simultaneous remotely controlled surface 

targets. In addition to dozens of manned aircraft and electronic 

target raids against the three ships, more than 30 Standard 

Missiles were launched and more than 50 subsonic and supersonic aerial targets were presented for 

tracking and firing events. This trial included the first operational GQM‐163A Coyote Supersonic 

Sea-Skimming Target missile exercise and culminated in the largest number of simultaneous BQM‐74 

targets. These exercises are called “trials” because the job is tough, relentless, and designed to bring 

out the truth about the ship’s readiness to go to war.

In one trial, USS Mobile Bay was fitted with the latest in combat systems—guns, missiles, and 

radars, as well as a host of other weapon and weapon-related equipment, including vertical 

launch systems for Tomahawk, Standard Missile, and ASROCs. Also included were Mk 46 

torpedoes; Harpoon launchers; two 5-inch/54 guns; and, for the really up-close threats, a 

super rapid-blooming off-board chaff system and a pair of Phalanx close-in weapon systems. 

At the heart of USS Mobile Bay’s offensive and defensive capabilities was the AEGIS, built 

around an advanced automatic detect-and-track multifunction phased-array radar called the 

AN/SPY-1. This high-powered radar handled search, track, and missile guidance functions, all 

simultaneously, with a tracking capacity of more than 100 targets. Those systems and the men and 

women who operate them were then qualified to the most rigorous standards of proficiency. [54]

Five target scenarios were presented by Sea Range personnel using two BQM‐74Es, one BQM‐34S, 

one AQM-37C, and one Vandal Extended Range. NAWCWD personnel at Point Mugu raised the 
Test and Evaluation (T&E) | 123

stress level considerably during this trial when they conducted 

multiple manned aircraft raids against USS Mobile Bay, with 

each of the aircraft realistically simulating an incoming threat. 

NAWCWD flew multiple tracking missions with Q-Lear and 

NKC‐135 electronic attack aircraft. Two BQM-74E aerial 

targets flew five tracking presentations over and near San Nicolas 

Island to exercise the AEGIS combat system’s capability to 

track and engage antiair warfare threats in a high-clutter littoral 

environment.

Another successful CSSQT was conducted at Point Mugu in 

2007. In 2010, the United States Navy and the Spanish Navy 

again conducted a CSSQT to demonstrate the fighting capabilities of the AEGIS combat system. At 

this time, USS Dewey, USS Wayne E. Meyer, and the Spanish Navy frigate Alvaro de Bazan were 

involved. During the trials, the AEGIS was successfully evaluated for combat readiness and air defense 

capabilities through a series of comprehensive exercises, including manned raids and electronic 

scenarios. [4]

Deployable Homeland Airborne Cruise

Missile Defense (DHACMD)

In 2006, NAWCWD provided the facilities and the communications infrastructure required by 

more than 300 deployed military personnel working tactical operations on the beach at Point Mugu 

for the DHACMD joint exercise proof of concept. The exercise was driven by North American 

Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Northern Command, and 1st Air Force to demonstrate an 

integrated air defense system. The exercise included an Aegis ship, a Patriot missile battery (no 

live Patriot firings), several air defense sensors, and a Joint Based Expeditionary Connectivity 

Center. Many manned aircraft and unmanned BQM-74 targets were presented as threats over an 

intensive 2-day period, in addition to target presentations and Sea Range coordination. [172]

Extended Area Test System (EATS) 

Started in 1972 and completed in the early 1980s, EATS was 

a multilateral tracking system that operated over the horizon 

in a 250-mile radius around San Nicolas Island. EATS could 

track up to 60 ships, aircraft, and targets from sea level 

to 100,000 feet, as well as relay drone control messages 

and transfer telemetry from up to 15 remotely controlled 

vehicles. Sixteen EATS ground reference stations and three 

instrumentation stations in an EP-3A aircraft communicated 

with instrumentation packages installed in drone targets, 

launch aircraft, and ships participating in test exercises. 

EATS was replaced by the Multilateration Operations 

Control System (MOCS), which continues to use a large 
 124 | Arming the Fleet

number of EATS assets but is now primarily a GPS-based tracking system. The MOCS supports 

approximately 250 operations per year, with a majority of the tracked vehicles over the horizon 

from land-based instrumentation. [167]

Hydra

During the 1960s, Project Hydra studied the comparative methods for launching satellite, highaltitude probe, and rocket vehicles at sea. Because Hydra used a floating launch technique, a 

rocket vehicle was floated in a vertical position with its nose slightly above the waterline; when 

fired, the rocket exhausted its gasses directly into the water, with the ocean acting as the launch 

pad. One unique test vehicle consisted of an 11,000-pound, 105-foot-long telephone pole that 

was sea launched. 

In addition, model tests were conducted in the wave motion tank at Port Hueneme to study 

whether various rocket designs could maintain vertical launch attitude. Another test involved 

a 37,000-pound unguided probe vehicle, the Hydra IV. In the late 1960s, the first full-term 

multistage launch vehicle, the Hydra-Iris, was developed. It could loft a 100-pound payload to an 

altitude of 175 nautical miles when launched from a floating rail launcher. Point Mugu designed 

the booster assembly containing three Sparrow motors and the common ignition system. The 

Hydra-Iris launch vehicles carried X-ray astronomy payloads designed and built by the Lawrence 

Livermore Radiation Laboratory. By 1968, eight successful launches had been made. The idea 

of sea-launched ICBMs was reconsidered in the 1980s as a possible alternative to MX horizontal 

shelter basing. [50]

Missile Defense Agency (MDA)

In 2006, NAWCWD provided vital test planning, range instrumentation, and sensor management 

support to the ground-based midcourse defense system test, FTG-02, for MDA. The Pacific 

Range Support Team presented a realistic ballistic missile threat launched from Kodiak, Alaska, 

to the interceptor launched from Vandenberg AFB. This was the first successful exo-atmospheric 

kill vehicle intercept conducted on the U.S. West Coast. [172]

NP-3D Orion 

The NP-3D Orion continued to traverse the globe, safely 

accomplishing its missions of range surveillance and area 

clearance, cast glance optical surveillance, and missile 

tracking. Aircraft were deployed to Hawaii on three separate 

occasions in support of the AEGIS Program and MDA. On the 

Sea Test Range, VX‐30 P‐3s assisted with NASA’s Delta II 

(Gravity Probe B) and Pegasus, which were launched from 

Vandenberg AFB. 
Test and Evaluation (T&E) | 125

Orion crews supported numerous Sea Range test projects, including Tactical Tomahawk, Japanese 

Defense Force, Arrow, F/A-22 Raptor, SLAM-ER, Advanced Gunnery System, Fleet Joint Task 

Force Exercises, and AEGIS CSSQT events. [172]

Pacific Missile Range (PMR) 

By 1960, instrumentation had been installed at 17 sites on the Pacific Coast, including Point 

Mugu; Point Arguello (Vandenberg); San Nicolas Island; and the far islands of Hawaii, Eniwetok, 

Midway, and Wake. This effort included a fleet of heavily instrumented range ships (mostly 

converted World War II Victory ships) and aircraft (C-131 Constellations), all covering the broad 

Pacific area that had become a 5,000-mile “shooting gallery.” At its peak in 1963, the PMR had 

more than 13,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel onboard. Furthermore, operations 

were commanded by a rear admiral, with deputy commanders from the Army, Air Force, and 

Navy and representatives from the Marines and NASA. [153]

The Sea Range also provided crucial range safety and cast glance video data support to several 

U.S. Navy AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense System tests conducted at PMRF. These tests 

validated the first-strike ballistic missile defense capability of the U.S. Navy in the Western 

Pacific. [172]

Air Range T&E Efforts

The NAWCWD Air Range allows the Navy squadrons stationed at NAWCWD to provide T&E 

support. Its restricted airspace allows the squadrons to fly unimpeded during T&E support. The 

extensive Air Range has also hosted numerous air exercises during its 60-year history. 

Active Electronically Scanned

Array (AESA) Testing

NAWCWD conducted extensive AESA testing during 2007. VX-31 used four productionrepresentative F/A‐18 Super Hornets and conducted 172 flight test events, generating 331 flight 

hours and more than 11,000 hours of ground and laboratory testing. 

F-22

NAWCWD played a significant role in the development of 

one of the Air Force’s most technologically advanced aircraft, 

the F-22. Because the platform required greater airspace 

to safely release guided missiles, the Air Force decided to 

focus its testing on the West Coast. NAWCWD provided 

the resources to perform a full spectrum of T&E services, 

especially weapons separation testing. NAWCWD acted as 

the primary agent for the integration of the Sidewinder onto 

the platform of the F-22 and became involved in EW and 

systems effectiveness. 
 126 | Arming the Fleet

An extensive IR signature evaluation, one of the largest of its kind ever performed, was completed 

at the RRL, Point Mugu. A high point of the T&E program was the first guided AMRAAM shot 

from the F-22 performed on the Sea Range. The data links between Point Mugu and Edwards 

AFB enabled Combined Test Force members to see the test develop in real time. The NAWCWD 

IPT completed armament analysis and integration tasking, as well as supported the stand-up 

of the first operational squadron at Langley AFB. In 2009, however, Congress decided to end 

production of the F-22 in favor of the AirForce’s F‐35 aircraft.

Navy Combat Archer (NCA) Team 

The NAWCWD NCA Team played a crucial role in a Fleet air-to-air missile exercise held at 

the Southern California Offshore Range. Marine F/A-18 units from VMFA‐314 and Marine Air 

Group 11 (MAG‐11) launched a combination of 13 AIM-9M, AIM-7M, and AIM‐120A missiles 

against BQM-74 and TALD targets during this exercise. The NAWCWD NCA Team provided 

missile telemetry encryption and verification support at NAS Miramar, California, as well as realtime missile performance analysis on-site on San Clemente Island. Data from the launches were 

logged into the NCA performance database, and reports of missile performance were forwarded 

to the launching squadrons. The NCA team supported more than 150 missile launches.

Pegasus X-47A

China Lake personnel provided key support of the first flight of 

a Northrop Grumman Corporation Pegasus experimental UAV 

in 2003. In this successful exercise, which took place on the 

China Lake Land Ranges and lasted 12 minutes, the Pegasus 

landed near a predesignated touchdown spot that simulated the 

tail hook arrestment point on a carrier flight deck. NAWCWD 

has been involved in UAV and UCAV technology for several 

years. 

Photo-Optical Instrumentation 

A milestone event in photo-optical instrumentation occurred 

at Point Mugu in 1965 with the design and development of the AFH-14 supersonic aircraft 

camera pod. The pod, attached on the centerline of the photo chase airplane, had one forwardlooking camera station and multiple side-looking stations. The pod could carry a 70-millimeter 

sequential camera, 35- and 16-millimeter high-speed instrumentation cameras, and a television 

camera. The camera pod found extensive use in photographic surveillance of aircraft, missile 

launches, flights, and intercepts. 

QF-4

In 2004, the VX-30 QF-4 Program at Point Mugu conducted an unprecedented 42 no live operator 

onboard full-scale aerial target events in a mere 8 months time. In total, seven aircraft were 

destroyed in support of live fire missile shots. The QF-4 fleet flew more than 167 hours in direct 

T&E support of projects such as AMRAAM, AIM-7, and AIM-9X for VX-9. 
Test and Evaluation (T&E) | 127

RQ-8A Fire Scout 

In 2003, Northrop Grumman Corporation’s RQ-8A Fire 

Scout vertical takeoff and landing UAV made two crucial 

technology demonstrations—flying with a SAR/MTI and 

completing initial at-sea testing aboard the amphibious 

transport dock USS Denver. During these trials, Fire Scout 

flew more than 10 hours of demonstration flights from NAS 

Patuxent River’s Webster Field outfitted with a General 

Atomics SAR/MTI, which provided “very good imagery” 

at 1-foot and 4-inch resolutions, according to Northrop 

Grumman Corporation. Fire Scout completed its second 

phase of at-sea testing, including flights out to the testing 

area from Point Mugu, where it made low-speed approaches to the USS Denver using the RQ‐8A’s 

Unmanned Common Automatic Recovery System and terminal control system. In 2007, the Fire 

Scout performed T&E activities on the MQ‐8B. 
We are exploring the outer boundaries of science and technology, as well as the 

conventional aspects. We do not hesitate to direct our attention to what we believe 

will be the principles and practices of tomorrow, and we try to organize them in order 

to better direct the programs of today.

—Dr. Royal Weller, first civilian Chief Scientist at NAMTC, Point Mugu

The personnel of VX-31 raised the benchmark for superior performance across the entire test 

community within the Navy. Deploying personnel to conduct combat operations and accelerating 

delivery of vital weapon systems for wartime use, the squadron demonstrated the highest levels of 

professionalism in their execution of mission accomplishment during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

—Honorable Gordon England

 Secretary of the Navy

 128 | Arming the Fleet
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 129

Modeling, Simulation,

and Analysis
 130 | Arming the Fleet

M&S play a major role in the integration process, thereby 

allowing continuous design assessment throughout the process. 

In the past, live fire testing was used exclusively to evaluate how 

a missile system functioned. NAWCWD, however, pioneered 

simulation-based acquisition, and its earliest use of M&S was 

in the creation of analog and digital simulations for weapon 

systems. The WSSA laboratories integrated advanced weapons 

and components into a total weapon system onboard naval 

aircraft platform. 

Conducting M&S saves millions of dollars every years. Using 

HWIL simulators, NAWCWD integrates part of the missile 

hardware, such as the seeker or control section, into the simulation running in real time. Part of the 

missile functions in the laboratory as it would in actual flight. In the 1960s, the AIM-9D required 

129 live firings to test its performance, but, by 1981, because of M&S, the AIM-9M required only 

35 live firings. During the 1970s and 1980s, HWIL reduced the number of live firings required to 

field Sidewinder, Sparrow, and RAM. Total acquisition risk was also significantly reduced because 

extensive use of HWIL simulations solved design problems early in the developmental cycle, when 

they could be fixed at a much lower cost with less schedule impact.

Training is one important use of M&S. NAWCWD personnel can support anything from one aircraft 

on one target to complex battlespace scenarios involving multiple sites and multiple players. Fleet 

training exercises and Fleet battle experiments (FBEs) are becoming increasingly complex. NAWCWD 

conducts complex “what if” battle group scenarios to analyze how well all the weapon systems integrate 

in real time. In 2002, NAWCWD completed the Millennium Challenge. The Sea and Land Ranges 

were the site of live action by joint forces. Efforts were orchestrated from the ITEC at Point Mugu and 

the IBAR at China Lake. 

At China Lake’s Superior Valley Range, there are tactical targets 

and automatic weapon scoring systems where NAWCWD trains 

pilots, including F/A‐18 squadrons from Lemoore. NAWCWD 

also conducts search-and-rescue training and helicopter mobile 

assault training. On the ECR, pilots can fly against actual threat 

radar systems, fly HARM missions, practice tactics, and use 

countermeasures.

Navy and Marine assets throughout the continental United States 

often request and receive visits from NAWCWD personnel to 

provide training on advanced receiver operations and use of 

the mission planning update capability. In addition, each year, 

allied customers from many nations send hundreds of troops to train for conflict with test weapons on 

NAWCWD’s ranges. 

Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis
Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis | 131

NAWCWD has been involved with numerous M&S systems and exercises through the years for 

training and weapons development. Those, along with several significant M&S programs and pertinent 

facilities, are discussed in the sections that follow. This publication has an entire chapter devoted to 

laboratories and facilities, which are multipurpose and serve a wide variety of DoD needs. Therefore, 

highlights are provided only for those that play a significant modeling, simulation, and analysis role.

Joint Fleet Training

Joint Fleet training is another important use of M&S. NAWCWD 

personnel can support anything from one aircraft on one target 

to complex battlespace scenarios involving multiple sites and 

multiple players. Fleet training exercises and FBEs are becoming 

increasingly complex. NAWCWD conducts complex “what 

if” battle group scenarios to analyze how well all the weapons 

systems integrate in real time. 

On NAWCWD ranges, there are tactical targets and automatic 

weapon scoring systems where NAWCWD can train pilots 

during a JTFEX, including F/A‐18 squadrons from Lemoore. 

NAWCWD also conducts search-and-rescue training and helicopter mobile assault training. On the 

ECR at NAWCWD, a vital range for the Warfighter, pilots can fly against actual threat radar systems, 

fly HARM missions, practice tactics, and use countermeasures. Also at the ECR, NAWCWD personnel 

supported a JTFEX involving USS John C. Stennis. Two tent cities, representative of the current 

conflict, were erected on and near Charlie Airfield to provide realistic-looking areas of opportunity. 

A mock-up Scud missile was constructed to add to the overall presentation. Four EW-opposed strikes 

were flown into this target area from the warning area. [76]

Navy and Marine assets throughout the continental United States often request and receive visits from 

NAWCWD personnel to provide training on advanced receiver operations and use of the mission 

planning update capability. In addition, each year, allied customers from many nations send hundreds 

of troops to train for conflict with test weapons on NAWCWD’s ranges. Several training exercises 

conducted at NAWCWD are discussed in the sections that 

follow.

Joint Expeditionary Force 

Exercise 2006 (JEFX06) 

JEFX06 was a highly focused multinational, multiservice 

experiment designed to rigorously assess and make 

recommendations on selected capabilities in the battlespace. 

The successful operation focused on continuous theater 

planning and dynamic execution, as well as goals from the 

Department of Homeland Security. 
 132 | Arming the Fleet

During the exercise, simulated tracks and images were transmitted from the IBAR at China 

Lake to the GHMD Tactical Auxiliary Ground System at Patuxent River, Maryland, where tracks 

were nominated into the Commander, 2nd Fleet Common Operational Picture, and images were 

chipped and posted to the Imagery Transformation Services website. GHMD was also used to 

develop and refine concept of operations, tactics, techniques, and procedures, while providing 

maritime operational and intelligence data to various homeland security/homeland defense nodes.

Millennium Challenge 2002 (MC02) 

In 2002, more than 13,500 U.S. military and civilian personnel 

participated in MC02, a joint warfighting experiment at 

locations across the nation, including China Lake and Point 

Mugu. Sponsored by the USJFCOM, the experiment brought 

together the four military services, U.S. Special Operations 

Command, and most functional/regional commands, as 

well as many Weapons Division and federal agencies. The 

purpose was to test experimental technologies and concepts 

in a simulated future battlefield scenario. The Navy’s role 

in MC02 was FBE‐Juliet. MC02 incorporated ground, 

air, and sea capabilities among the services for mutual 

support, as well as to achieve a common operational picture. In a China Lake laboratory, the 

Weapons Engagement Office (WEO) built a Strike Warfare Command Center (STWC). This cell 

mimicked a carrier command center bearing the call sign of Alpha Papa. In addition to a staff 

of about 30 uniformed personnel manning the STWC, there were about 20 civilian technical 

representatives. Five people from the WEO worked with the experiment full time. The office also 

sent technical support to USS Coronado, the 3rd Fleet Command ship. 

The Sea and Land Ranges were the site of live action by joint forces. Efforts were orchestrated 

from the ITEC at Point Mugu and the IBAR at China Lake. 

Another role of MC02 was to provide the enormous military land, sea, and airspace and technical 

infrastructure to carry out real-world-sized combat operations. The second role encompassed 

an even larger area. Engineers linked six U.S. Western Ranges—Army, Navy, and Air Force—

into a single network. Run from the ITEC at Point Mugu, the network carried voice, video, and 

tracking data to the Joint Exercise Control Group in Norfolk, Virginia. This interoperability 

demonstration was the precursor to the USJFCOM’s Joint National Training Capabilities (JNTC) 

network, which established a global capability for distributed joint training and experimentation. 

Point Mugu’s OpCenter hosts the JNTC Regional Center.

The conclusions of MC02 and FBE-Juliet provided the USJFCOM with valuable information to 

analyze and discuss for use in future joint operations. [54]
Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis | 133

Training for 3rd Fleet 

At the Land Ranges, Fleet air units conduct bombing exercises 

at the Coso Military Target Range and the Superior Valley 

Tactical Target Range. The aviators also hone their skills 

against threat emitters on the ECR. Aircrews and airborne 

sensor operators learn to locate and identify enemy mobile 

weapon systems at San Nicolas Island, Point Mugu, and the 

Land Ranges. In these time-critical strike operations, highly 

realistic target shapes are moved by NAWCWD personnel to 

various locations, often camouflaged. Finally, the restricted 

airspaces above the Land and Sea Ranges are used by the 

Fleet for no-fly zone exercises. NAWCWD has supported 

the 3rd Fleet for nearly 30 years. [54]

Common Munitions Built-in-Test (BIT)/

Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE) 

Training

Smart training for a smart weapon was the goal of the JSOW Project Office when that organization 

invited Mobile Ordnance Training Team (MOTT) members from the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets 

for a visit. At China Lake, MOTT members received a crash course in how to use a maintenance 

package called the CMBRE. Staff at the Point Mugu site demonstrated its use and offered the 

opportunity for hands-on training with the CMBRE package and a JSOW to simulate how they 

work in the Fleet. Projects have provided two CMBRE sets each to seven Navy carriers and two 

each to three Marine Corps Air Stations. The CMBRE is completely ruggedized for shipboard 

use and will initiate the munition’s BIT component of the JSOW. The CMBRE will also upload 

the OFP or mission planning and GPS data. What makes the CMBRE different is the decision 

made in the beginning by the project office to get the Fleet trainers involved. In approximately 

3 hours, the five MOTT personnel were confident they could go to the next carrier to deploy with 

JSOW aboard and train the ordnance handlers in the use of the CMBRE with JSOW. [54]

Combat Environment

Simulation (CES) Systems

CES systems simulate threat systems, thereby allowing developers to test EW capabilities, as well 

as provide training support to pilots. Numerous CES systems are scattered throughout training 

ranges to simulate SAM sites. During training exercises, pilots fly into the range simulating 

enemy territory, and the CES systems “lock” onto the aircrafts, at which time the pilots must 

react. These systems provide invaluable training to prepare the pilots for hostile environments.
 134 | Arming the Fleet

During 2006, NAWCWD enhanced the training capabilities at the East Coast Training Complex, 

NAS Fallon, Nevada, and at Yuma, Arizona. In addition, the Tactical Air Range Integration 

Facility provided real-time instrumentation for live training exercises at Navy, Air Force, and 

Marine Corps ranges. [172]

Environmental Simulation Facilities

Environmental simulation facilities were essential to 

NAWCWD in the 1960s. The most common variables 

simulated were temperature, altitude, acceleration, 

vibration, salt fog, humidity, and shock. Environmental 

chambers, for example, were installed that could send the 

temperature to a frigid 100 degrees below zero or up to a 

searing 1,000 degrees. Altitudes ranging from sea level to 

300 miles could also be simulated, and accelerations up to 

1,000 g could be produced. 

Point Mugu constructed a large sea level environmental 

chamber where missiles and weapons were exposed to rain, 

snow, sleet, heat, and cold; the entire fighter aircraft could be subjected to these elements while 

ordnance personnel loaded the weapons using the actual ground support equipment. [50]

Integrated Battlespace Arena (IBAR) 

The IBAR is a world-class facility at China Lake comprised of nine laboratories and facilities 

that provide multifaceted and flexible battlespace environments created for and devoted to the 

Warfighter. The IBAR is capable of creating virtual environments for analyzing, testing, and 

evaluating interactions among warfighters, weapons, platforms, and environments.

Tests range from the subcomponent to theater levels with a degree of fidelity, flexibility, 

and dependability unparalleled in the DoD. Facilities are linked nationwide with fiber-optic, 

Ethernet, and microwave telecommunication capabilities. 

This complex also houses the Navy’s first cockpit simulation 

of its kind—the Virtual Prototyping Facility (VPF). The 

VPF was the Navy’s first cockpit simulation to include 

communications to and from the simulated aircraft and the 

weapons. 

The IBAR has been instrumental in assisting various missile 

systems developed at China Lake. For example, during a 

SLAM-ER moving-target test, the IBAR simulated a Joint 

Surveillance Target Attack Radar System platform and 
Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis | 135

tracked a moving target (remotely controlled semitruck pulling a Scud missile). The truck’s 

positional information was data linked via Link-16 to the F/A-18 controlling the SLAM-ER. The 

test was a complete success. 

Collectively, IBAR scientists have more than 72 patents to their credit, and they are frequent 

contributors of papers and journal articles that explore cutting-edge issues and techniques in 

M&S. [116]

Missile Engagement Simulation

Arena (MESA)

The MESA facility at NAWCWD China Lake provides 

many unique M&S capabilities. For example, missile fuzes 

can be tested in a secure, controlled environment. Aircraft 

can be suspended by wires, and full-intercept engagement 

conditions can then be simulated and tested, independent 

of weather or other environmental conditions. Hundreds of 

runs can be made each day in a controllable and repeatable 

fashion. MESA’s flexibility in target positioning permits 

large-scale variations in target and sensor geometry, which, 

in most cases, can be accomplished in less than 1 minute. [203]

Point Mugu Simulation Laboratories

The Point Mugu simulation laboratories provide analog and digital simulations of major system 

components with HWIL to evaluate system performance in hostile electronic countermeasure 

environments using actual components and computer-simulated in-flight dynamics. Anechoic 

chambers provide vulnerability and survivability evaluation in the areas of signature and 

electromagnetic compatibility. The bistatic anechoic chamber (BAC) is used for radar signature 

for various threats, threat weapon systems, and threat simulations. The Battlespace Management 

Interoperability Center conducts over-the-horizon targeting, 

command and control, and strike mission/scenario planning 

with operational units in a T&E environment. 

Throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom, the RRL at Point Mugu 

operated indoor anechoic chambers and provided unique 

testing capabilities in RCS measurements, analysis, and 

control to a wide range of DoD customers. The laboratory’s 

BAC and large anechoic chamber have been the testing 

ground for numerous national defense programs. The RRL 

also improved Maverick’s instrumentation radar in the BAC. 

The new radar is designed for higher phase stability, thus 
 136 | Arming the Fleet

allowing lower background level for testing today’s more-challenging test articles. RRL has 

conducted more than 115 successful test events. [172]

Tomahawk In-Flight Missile

Simulator (TIMS) Pod

The TIMS Pod allowed the Tactical Tomahawk Program to fly a mission profile similar to that 

of the Tomahawk cruise missile and simulate the missile’s in-flight environment. The challenge, 

however, was how to best go from laboratory testing to an actual missile flight test. NAWCWD’s 

solution was to use a captive-carry avionics pod that employs Tactical Tomahawk guidance and 

new equipment flown under the wing of an A-3 Skywarrior or an F/A-18 Hornet. Therein, no 

hardware or software modifications were made to the aircraft. 

The NAWCWD team developed two TIMS Pods with different testing configurations. The TIMS 

Pod allowed a full range of dynamic testing to be completed before these upgrades or new 

systems were incorporated into the actual missile. The TIMS Pod also reduced risk and resulted 

in significant cost savings over the traditional methods the Tomahawk Program used to introduce 

updates to the missile. After integration of the TIMS Pod onto the F/A-18, the pod’s performance 

exceeded expectations. [54]

TOPSCENE®

TOPSCENE® is a computerized mission rehearsal system 

that provides mission planners, aircrew, and ground crews 

the ability to plan and rehearse a given mission on a threedimensional database prior to manning their aircraft or 

beginning troop movements. With TOPSCENE®, the user 

can change environmental factors within the scene, display 

the HUD, attach a joystick controller, incorporate the Joint 

Mission Planning System (JMPS) as a moving map display, 

display a terrain grid, provide a playback function, display 

three-dimensional models (aircraft, buildings, road signs, 

etc.), record rehearsals in .avi (movie) and .jpg (picture) 

formats, establish two-point mensuration, and share scenes 

over local area network connections. TOPSCENE® was the first of its kind and provides a 

multitude of by-products, ranging from scene-generation engines and a reconfigurable trainer to 

full-up weapon system trainers and a standardized multi-force database for use in many different 

imagery display tools. 

Point Mugu is the sole logistics and support activity for TOPSCENE®. This responsibility includes 

research and development logistics, testing, documentation, and installation. TOPSCENE® is 
Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis | 137

currently used by all four services and is deployed aboard all naval aircraft carriers and a few 

amphibious ships, as well as aboard most major air stations and forward-deployed troops to Iraq 

and Afghanistan. 

The TOPSCENE® system started as a 1,400-pound multi-rack UNIX-driven system but evolved 

into a simple software module that can be a stand-alone system, be integrated with the JMPS, 

and function on a standard graphics laptop computer. The program has directly supported the War 

on Terror, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Desert Storm. 

TOPSCENE® has also supported other special events, including providing homeport security 

planning and supporting the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. [185] [225]

Virtual Missile Range

(VMR) 

The VMR is a simulator at Point Mugu that combines shorebased live and simulated components with a ship’s combat 

systems and onboard simulators to replicate threat missile 

raids at a fraction of the cost of live firings. 

A VMR scenario begins with a signal broadcast from a 

synthetic target generator (STG) located on San Nicolas 

Island. This signal stimulates the ship’s radar and firecontrol systems to “see” a threat target approaching. Onboard 

USS Kinkaid, a Missile All-Up-Round Simulator unit installed in the NATO SeaSparrow launcher 

cell performed as an actual missile. The ship calculated prelaunch conditions using the Missile 

All-Up-Round Simulator unit and the NATO SeaSparrow system. The signals from the NATO 

SeaSparrow system were encrypted and transmitted via a wireless data link to the HWIL Facility 

at Point Mugu. The actual missile hardware mounted on a Carco flight-simulator table then 

“flew” the mission. The results—whether a hit or a miss—were instantly relayed back to the 

ship. Observers in the Sea Range ITEC watched the “flights” through the VMR’s Real-Time Viewer 

Program. [54]

The VMR has been fully integrated into Sea Range operations, and electronic countermeasure 

simulations have been installed in attempts to fool the defensive systems. With this latest upgrade, the 

STG now has the capability of projecting numerous different electronic countermeasure techniques 

with any of its incoming synthetic threats. During shake-down tests of the VMR upgrade, numerous 

presentations were made to the weapon system. 

The VMR is being upgraded with multi-axis threats, maneuvering threats, vertical launchers, and other 

platforms’ missile systems. [226]
 138 | Arming the Fleet

Weapons and Tactics Analysis

Center (WEPTAC) 

From 1978 to 1997, China Lake maintained WEPTAC, an interactive warfare simulation facility. 

The early concept was to see if an interactive simulation facility could be based on minicomputers 

and developed at low cost. WEPTAC allowed users to make battle decisions in a limited-information 

environment, as well as when pitted against opposing threat systems controlled by intelligence experts. 

Simulations were mostly tactical and did not encompass strategic scenarios. WEPTAC was used 

to perform missions as small as one-against-one air engagements up to larger situations involving 

entire battle groups. Typical projects included air-to-air and air-to-ship attack tactics development, 

force projection/close-air support tactics study, and conceptual weapons/sensors/platform study, as 

well as evaluation of tactics developed by pilots at NSAWC, NAS Fallon, Nevada, and the F/A‐18 

at NAWCWD. 

The system grew from a small prototype to an advanced system that was capable of modeling up 

to 1,200 aircraft or ship units, each one capable of carrying up to 30 weapons or sensors, including 

electronic countermeasures. WEPTAC included eight player workstations, a central computer, a 

conference room, and offices. Simulations forced players to make decisions as they would in actual 

combat, with the system computing the effectiveness of aircraft, radars, countermeasures, and weapon 

use. At the conclusion of an engagement, players were debriefed on what actions they took and whether 

they were successful. [147]
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 139

Research and Engineering
 140 | Arming the Fleet

Throughout its history of excellence, NAWCWD has maintained a strong research, science, and 

technology base. These efforts are at the forefront of new weapons and systems development that 

give the Warfighter a decisive advantage. Extensive research is conducted annually in a wide 

range of topics, including combustion sciences, firefighting, IM, energetic materials, ordnance 

and propulsion, and laser and optical components. NAWCWD often partners with other national 

and international government research agencies, such as the Defense Advanced Research 

Projects Agency (DARPA), ONR, NASA, and NATO. NAWCWD also often partners with private 

industry in joint research projects. 

While NAWCWD has produced countless advances in research, science, and technology, this 

chapter discusses only a handful of the hundreds, if not thousands, of technological advances 

contributed by NAWCWD. A comprehensive list of all advances in technology would require 

volumes of documents, but the advances discussed in this section illustrate the diverse array of 

technological areas related to NAWCWD involvement. 

Biology

Aircrew Physiological Studies

Point Mugu developed techniques for obtaining in-flight physiological data, especially in the 

multi-stress environment of flying tactical jets. In the late 1950s, research was conducted to 

design and build an instrument that would monitor and record in-flight aircrew electrocardiogram, 

respiration, and pulse rates. In the late 1960s, the Navy developed an in-flight recorder bio-pack 

for monitoring such bodily functions. This device transitioned to the In-Flight Physiologic Data 

Acquisition System (IFPDAS), which is used at Point Mugu to monitor aircrew flying the A‐4, 

F‐4, and F-14 aircraft. By the late 1970s, Point Mugu engineers made further advancements 

to the IFPDAS III. This knowledge was used to develop specifications for future life-support 

systems. [50]

Biomimetics

In 2008, as part of a new biomimetic technology initiative, 

NAWCWD China Lake released a study conducted in 

association with the University of Wyoming on the eyes 

of flies and other insects. The common fly has an amazing 

ability to find moving targets in cluttered backgrounds, as 

well as land on moving “platforms.” Researchers wanted to 

know how flies accomplish these tasks effortlessly and then 

possibly apply this research to improve imaging sensors 

and signal processing. From this research, a fiber-optic 

sensor was developed. Coupled with analog preprocessing 

hardware, this device has the potential to extract edge 

information quickly and in parallel. The sensor consisted of 

Research and Engineering
Research and Engineering | 141

a 1-millimeter-diameter ball lens that focuses light onto an array of photodetectors, where the 

field of view overlaps by about 70%. In experiments, the sensor could locate a 1-millimeter-wide 

string as the string moved across the field of view at distances up to 200 millimeters from the lens, 

with minimal error. This quality of high-resolution systems could also have future applications in 

various medical, commercial, industrial, and defense areas, including robotics. [233]

Chemistry

Advanced Oxidation Technologies (AOTs) 

AOTs refer to a group of chemical and physical processes 

that can be used for air or water treatment and purification. 

These techniques are all sources of the hydroxyl radical, 

a very powerful oxidizing agent. In many cases, the target 

contaminants can be completely oxidized, thus producing 

only carbon dioxide and water. A photocatalytic oxidation 

system was originally tested at the Naval Air Depot 

Jacksonville to evaluate the potential for treating highstrength organic wastewater by using a combination of 

ultraviolet light, hydrogen peroxide, and a particulate 

semiconductor photocatalyst. A variety of tests were 

performed, and impressive results were obtained. 

Current laboratory work being performed at China Lake focuses on improved semiconductor catalyst 

applications. Semiconductor materials have been synthesized, characterized, and tested and are 

validated against industry standard materials. Testing is also done to determine the applicability 

of the photocatalytic process for the treatment of other types of contaminated wastewater. It is 

envisioned that improvements in photocatalysts, when coupled with technologically advanced 

reactor systems, will reduce water-processing costs significantly, while greatly minimizing waste 

production and disposal. [107]

Chemical/Biological Agent Defeat Program

China Lake is currently studying ways to defeat chemical and biological weapons. In association 

with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), these studies focus on three different energetic 

materials—enhanced thermites, solid interhalogenate salts, and difluoramine explosives. The goal 

is to create explosive fills that, upon detonation, generate species that kill biological weapons 

and break down chemical weapons. In tests against simulated biological weapons, spores were 

killed after only 20 minutes of exposure. [172]

Clean-Power Generator

Scientists at China Lake are researching new ways to bring clean power to off-grid targets, 

radars, repeaters, and radios on the test ranges, as well as, on a larger scope, helping to save the 
 142 | Arming the Fleet

earth’s limited supply of fossil fuels. Using an experimental 

hydrogen fuel cell concept, engineers are testing a prototype 

that can turn the sun’s energy, collected through solar panels, 

directly into voltage without batteries. Currently, the ranges 

use solar photovoltaic panels to collect and store energy in 

large banks of batteries, which run the repeaters and other 

range operations. 

The prototype $300,000 hydrogen generator at China Lake 

uses electricity generated by solar panels to electrolyze (or 

separate) water into hydrogen and oxygen molecules, which 

then enter a fuel cell. The hydrogen gas is stored in a tank and 

can be used in a fuel cell to produce clean, non-combustive power. The process creates electricity 

and by‐products, and energy stored through this process can provide power without sunshine for 

3 to 4 days. The hydrogen generator provides 950 watts, which is enough electricity to power 

two hand-held hair dryers, but, after further testing, the system could be used throughout China 

Lake in 500-watt blocks. Actual implementation of the fuel cells on the ranges is several years 

away. The system could eventually have much wider usage throughout the Fleet and possibly for 

civilians. [102]

Corrosion Prevention 

NAWCWD has sought to replace the toxic heavy metals cadmium and hexavalent chromium 

with environmentally friendly electro-active polymers in coating systems on aluminum and 

high-strength steel parts for marine aircraft. NAWCWD researchers have performed pilot-scale 

synthesis, coated test panels, and tested coating system performance as part of joint efforts with 

the Army, Navy, Air Force, and multiple universities to see if the new materials can replace 

the toxic ingredients in aircraft coating formulations. These materials are compatible with 

environmentally friendly coating processes (such as volatile-organic-compound-exempt spraying 

and electrostatic deposition) that are also well suited to affordable mass production. Field testing 

of coating systems containing some of the new materials on noncritical equipment at NAVAIR, 

Army, Air Force, and NASA facilities is currently being evaluated. [197]

Full-Spectrum Ballistic Eye Protection

In 2009, NAWCWD demonstrated a new material that 

improved contrast ratio and switching speeds in fullspectrum ballistic eye protection. The clear state allows 

for more than 85% light transmission, while the dark state 

transmits less than 20%. This material can also clear from 

30 to 80% in less than 1 second and darken from 85 to 50% 

in 3 seconds. Only minimal power is required to darken the 

lens. No power is required to keep the lens dark, and it can 

stay dark for weeks. The current produced when the lens is 

cleared is proportional to the level of darkening. In that way, 
Research and Engineering | 143

the electrochromic lens acts like a rechargeable battery in which the level of charge is indicated 

by the level of darkening. [172] [203]

High-Temperature Composites 

NAWCWD developed new breakthroughs for a new class of materials to be used in weapons and 

aircraft that operate in the marine environment. These new resins are capable of surviving for 

short periods at temperatures in excess of 700°F. For example, some can withstand the heat from 

a blowtorch. A major milestone was achieved in 2005, when NAWCWD researchers created the 

world’s first carbon-fiber-reinforced composite article made from these new materials (highpurity arylethynyl-terminated polyphenylenes). In 2006-2007, Boeing Phantom Works delivered 

the first high-quality carbon fiber composite structural panel made from these polymers. 

Polyphenylene resins are inexpensive, absorb very little water, and are compatible with efficient 

manufacturing techniques. Until this research, though, no one had proven that this material could 

be fabricated into a high-quality composite structure because the effort often took years. By 

teaming with Boeing Phantom Works, NAWCWD researchers were able to design the polymer so 

that a high-quality structural composite part was produced on the first attempt. This achievement 

puts NAWCWD in a position to develop and produce testable structures in a span of weeks rather 

than years. [197]

Liquid Bipropellant

Controllable thrust-on-demand propulsion systems are required for numerous military and space 

applications, including axial propulsion for propelling a payload, propulsive vehicle steerage 

(known as divert), and propulsive vehicle pointing (known as attitude control). These systems 

must be versatile enough to provide the exact amount of thrust required for a specific mission 

with precision timing. Thrust on demand must be provided in multiple directions to intercept 

high-speed threat payloads, and propulsion systems must be packaged in a small volume with 

minimal weight. 

NAWCWD is developing these propulsion systems for kill vehicle divert and attitude control 

systems. For this application, NAWCWD developed and demonstrated nontoxic hypergolic 

bipropellants using concentrated hydrogen peroxide (>90% concentration) as an oxidizer and 

a new class of nontoxic fuels, known as nontoxic hypergolic miscible fuel. NAWCWD is also 

patenting several families of fuels that are highly hypergolic with hydrogen peroxide oxidizer 

and that demonstrate significant robustness in accelerated-aging tests conducted at 150°F. As 

a result of these successes, industry is now collaborating with NAWCWD to transition these 

technologies to a number of military and commercial applications. [103]

Molecular Photonic Materials (MORPHs) 

China Lake continues to participate in the DARPA MORPH Program. The program’s emphasis 

is to build a low-voltage high-bandwidth optical modulator and sensor-protection devices. Films 

and devices of revolutionary new nonlinear optic (NLO) materials are prepared in laboratories 

at Lumera Corporation, the University of Washington, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. 

Scientists at China Lake, the Air Force, Army, Naval Research Laboratory, and the Laboratory 
 144 | Arming the Fleet

for Physical Science (University of Maryland campus) form the team for modeling, testing, and 

evaluating the NLO organic materials. Films in devices tested in government laboratories have 

achieved record-setting electrooptic coefficients. 

Nanoscale Metal Powders and

Reactive Composites

Metal fuels, like aluminum and magnesium, are used in 

many propellants, flares, countermeasures, and explosives. 

One area of intense research at NAWCWD is nanoscale 

metals and composites. Nanoscale materials are roughly one 

billionth of a meter in size. In the mid-1990s, NAWCWD 

scientists found that fine-grain (150‐nanometer) metal 

powders developed in Russia were capable of enhancing 

detonation velocities in explosive and increasing propellant 

burning rates two- or threefold. NAWCWD developed and 

patented a new solution method for preparing fine-grain 

aluminum powders (50 to 500 nanometers). In collaboration 

with Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), NAWCWD 

also patented lead-free percussion primer mixes based on metastable interstitial composite 

technology—nanoscale composite mixtures of an ultrafine metal fuel and an oxidizer. These 

primer mixes could replace conventional ammunition primers that use either lead azide or 

lead styphnate, two toxic materials that cause neurological, gastrointestinal, reproductive, and 

renal damage in humans. NAWCWD’s current research on the aging and prevention of aging of 

nanoscale metals and composites will enable the deployment of weapon systems with nanoscale 

energetic components. Nanoscale materials also have an enormous potential in electronics, 

biomedical applications, and microelectronic machines.

Navy P3 Resin

In 2009, NAWCWD successfully produced a P3 polymer with a phenylethynyl end cap (Navy 

P3 resin) using a controlled temperature scale-up for the first time. The batch weighed more than 

1 pound and will allow composite test panels and cylinders to be manufactured for evaluation 

at China Lake. The resin offers significant gains in affordability, moisture resistance, and safety 

during fires compared to current resins.

Nonlinear Optical Polymers (NLOPs) for Precision

Navigation/Data Transmission

Chemists at NAWCWD have developed several NLOPs that offer lower cost and higher 

performance in fiber-optic, avionic, and photonic applications. For example, these polymers 

will become part of a revolutionary new guidance capability that will allow troops to stand off at 

great distances and take out enemy targets with pinpoint accuracy. NAWCWD is developing new 

NLOPs for use in high-speed optical signal processing devices, such as electrooptic modulators, 

optical switches, and frequency doublers. These polymers make use of special chemical syntheses 
Research and Engineering | 145

procedures designed to attach a wide variety of molecules to polyimides without altering or 

harming the molecule being attached. NAWCWD developed a unique way of keeping the 

molecules intact during attachment. [59] [172]

The NLOP research field is growing rapidly, and new developments also have the potential for 

providing new devices and systems for the telecommunication and data communication industries 

at ten times greater bandwidth.

Optical Dome Material Work

Since the first IR-guided Sidewinder missile flew in the 

1950s, NAWCWD China Lake has developed domes with 

improved durability to protect seekers’ delicate optics. IR 

domes must survive high-speed collisions with rain, sand 

particles, and bugs. High-acceleration heating can cause 

shattering from thermal shock. Early Sidewinders had a large 

blunt glass dome that proved inadequate in adverse weather 

conditions, such as rainy Vietnam. In response, China Lake 

built an artificial rain field at SNORT, where domes were 

evaluated in supersonic raindrop collisions. From this work, 

hot-pressed magnesium fluoride was identified as a superior 

material, and, in the last 3 decades, it became the most 

widely used dome material, being installed in approximately 100,000 air-to-air missiles. 

In response to shortcomings regarding thermal shock, NAWCWD China Lake built the T-range 

facility, where a ceramic dome could be subjected to simulated heating profiles. As new materials, 

such as spinel and sapphire, became available and were tested, sapphire became the material of 

choice. A research program at China Lake in the 1990s further identified methods to alter the 

sapphire crystal to improve its high-temperature strength. 

In the 1980s, China Lake also marshaled leading laboratories in academia and industry to 

identify new, durable materials for long-wave (8- to 12-micrometer wavelength) seekers. Out 

of this effort, by 1990, chemical-vapor-deposited diamond was identified as the most promising 

material. In a decade-long effort, diamond was taken from a microscopically thin laboratory 

curiosity to millimeter-thick, centimeter-size windows capable of being tested on rocket sleds. 

Today, NAWCWD China Lake is exploring new frontiers in developing window materials with 

nanometer-size grains that might possess increased strength and ability to form complex shapes, 

thereby opening up the possibility of fabricating tough composite windows. [161]

Unitary Fuze Module

In 2005, NAWCWD researchers applied for a patent for a new unitary fuze module with its 

own onboard sensors that monitor the environmental conditions and arm the weapon when the 

required conditions are met. These conditions may be at a safe separation distance from the launch 

platform or at a decreasing distance to the target. Personnel can easily install the self‐contained 
 146 | Arming the Fleet

fuze module with only one bus connection to the launch platform on ordnance such as JDAM. 

Having onboard sensors results in more-reliable arming. This capability is especially important 

because unexploded ordnance is used by insurgents to create IEDs. 

Very-Low-Absorption Coatings

China Lake researchers are working with the Air Force to 

improve window materials, coatings, substrates, and optical 

metrology that will improve the performance of beam 

and fire-control optics on the Airborne Laser. These new 

technologies will have direct applications for heat-seeking 

missiles, surveillance and tracking systems, and high-power 

lasers. Improved antireflection coatings will also increase 

standoff distances, enhance resolution and target recognition, 

and provide better discrimination of decoys, as well as 

mitigate sea-surface glint and reduce power requirements for 

future versions of weapon systems, including the ATFLIR 

pod, Standard Missile, and Sidewinder. 

In addition, NAWCWD invented a new coating material called Varidex that has a refractive index 

that can be tailored to reduce unwanted reflection and transmission loss. NAVAIR’s continued 

investment in state-of-the-art capital equipment, such as high-density plasma-deposition systems, 

has allowed NAWCWD to maintain its leadership role in optical coatings. 

Computer Technology

Bomb Mission Planning Tool

NAWCWD developed a graphical user’s interface (GUI) for the naval stores planning and 

weaponeering component of the Joint Munitions Planning System. Fleet support turned the GUI 

development into a stand-alone program. NAWCWD enhancements evolved from interactions 

with warfighters and expertise in weapons systems. NAWCWD integrated Joint Munitions 

Effectiveness Manual hard-target penetration tools into a Paveway Munitions Planning Tool 

(PMPT), thus providing a “one-stop” tool for LGB mission planning. The PMPT is a Paveway II 

and Paveway III LGB mission planning tool that provides users with a launch acceptability 

region from which to release weapons, to calculate single trajectories for time-of-flight and 

lasing-time analysis, and to compute penetration into hardened targets. The software runs on 

Windows operating systems. Version 1.0 was released to the Fleet in June 2001. The Navy and 

the Air Force used the PMPT successfully in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi 

Freedom for LGB mission planning. [73]
Research and Engineering | 147

Early Computer Technology

In 1946, the world’s first fully electronic computer, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and 

Calculator (ENIAC), began operation at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1950, China Lake was 

eager to adapt the new machines to its needs. Two China Lake chemists designed and constructed 

an analog computer that was made of old radar and radio parts. The computer dramatically 

reduced the time necessary to calculate the theoretical performance characteristics of certain 

propellant compositions. 

China Lake’s first centralized computer began operation in 1951, when the new Reeves Electronic 

Analog Computer (REAC) was set up in a hallway of Michelson Laboratory. By today’s standards, 

it was a clumsy device, requiring approximately 3,000 vacuum tubes to make it work; however, at 

that time, REAC was a marvel of efficiency and was used to perform early Sidewinder simulations 

to calculate the aerodynamic characteristics for the rocket-assisted torpedo needed under various 

ship-launching conditions. [49]

In the early 1950s, Point Mugu had one of the first large digital computers ever built, the Raytheon 

Digital Automatic Computer (RAYDAC), which was used as the nucleus of a real-time telemetry 

data reduction system. RAYDAC consisted of a large number of vacuum tubes and banks of 

mercury-filled acoustic delay lines. [50]

The Technical Library at China Lake also developed a 

computer system in the 1950s that could search a database 

by subject. The IBM 701, the first mass-produced computer 

and defense calculator, is credited with conducting “the 

first subject search ever made by a digital computer” in 

1954. Only 19 IBM 701s were installed nationwide, and the 

eighth unit built was installed at China Lake. Simplifying 

research was in direct response to the need for cataloging 

and indexing vast collections of scientific and technical 

reports—a technical problem faced by all technical libraries 

in the 1950s. In 1953, China Lake implemented one of the 

first uniterm coordinate indexes on the West Coast. Even 

today, most bibliographic searching still relies on coordinate indexes. In the 1960s, moresophisticated searching programs were developed by using the IBM 7094 with a program called 

the Library Information Search and Retrieval Data System. These programs helped to reduce the 

cost of computer time. [164]
 148 | Arming the Fleet

Level Set Geo-Registration Image Enhancement

Using a mathematical theory known as level sets (best analogy is a topographic contour map), 

China Lake researchers, in association with Cognitech, developed a tool that automatically 

registers video or still frames from tactical sensors to a Digital Point Positioning Database or 

other controlled reference image base. Using level sets and registration, Navy personnel can 

perform a variety of image enhancements. Level set geo-registration allows for frame fusion and 

integration, thereby clearing up distortion in the video frames. 

Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs)

DEWs are large concentrated doses of energy (i.e., photons or particles traveling at or near the 

speed of light) directed toward targets to destroy them. Because a DEW beam can travel great 

distances almost instantly, the target’s chances of evading the beam are miniscule. DEWs provide 

the U.S. military a technology that totally changes how warfare will be conducted in the future, 

thus giving the United States a decisive advantage over its enemies. 

China Lake is currently conducting research and development of high-energy laser (HEL) 

technology, including using fiber lasers, laser architecture support beam control, microwave 

radiation emitters, electromagnetic rail guns, particle beam accelerators, and diode pumps. Laser 

weapon projects tested at China Lake included the Laser Avenger, which is a High-Mobility 

Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)-mounted directed energy air defense system. During 

a 2009 test, the Laser Avenger shot down six drone aircraft over the Land Ranges. In 2010, a laser 

weapon system successfully tracked, engaged, and destroyed a drone in flight during a test at San 

Nicholas Island on the Sea Range. This test was significant and illustrated the potential lasers can 

provide to the U.S. military. Typically, a laser loses effectiveness as it moves through a moist, 

salty sea air, but, as the DEW demonstrated, it did not lose power and was accurate. The Navy 

expects to one day use laser weapons to intercept antiship missiles and other threats, including 

smaller ships (i.e., pirate skiffs). 

China Lake is also involved in other areas of science and technology for tactical aviation 

HEL, including atmospheric propagation of laser beams, laser source developments in fiber 

lasers, laser effects, and beam control and aimpoint 

maintenance. [172] [219] [227]

Electronics

Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) 

Miniaturization technologies, such as MEMS and 

nanotechnology, are the future, and NAWCWD continues 

to develop multi-point initiation for an electromagnetically 

actuated MEMS device. High-speed digital video cameras 
Research and Engineering | 149

were placed to capture the timing between the detonations. Post-shot inspection indicated that 

all micro-explosives detonated, as evidenced by dents and hole expansion. Extensive testing 

with MEMS contributes to the production of micromachines, micro-integrated circuits, and 

microoptics that will be used in the defense, security, and aerospace sections. [172]

Super-Capacitor Technology

NAWCWD researchers work with private industry and 

academia to develop super-capacitors that will demonstrate 

80% charge storage retention after 100,000 cycles at 75% 

depth of discharge. This project will significantly reduce 

the size and weight requirements for power supplies for 

air weaponry, UAVs, and portable electronic devices for 

weapons, communications, computing, surveillance, and 

sensing. In addition, materials used will be safer and more 

environmentally friendly. NAWCWD has developed a new 

type of super-capacitor that can deliver 3.5 volts from a 

single cell, thus making these devices competitive with 

lithium ion batteries. 

Energetics

CL-20

In 1987, researchers at NAWCWD China Lake invented CL‐20, a breakthrough in energetic 

materials, a compound with a higher energy density and lower sensitivity than those of previous 

materials. CL‐20 has been called the “most significant energetic ingredient in 50 years” because 

of its high performance, minimum signature, and hazard characteristics. The synthesis process 

for CL‐20 was scaled up by industry to produce sufficient material for formulation work, and 

the formulations have been characterized for performance, signature, and safety properties. 

CL‐20 also has important applications in the commercial world. A CRADA was established with 

Thiokol Propulsion to perfect the material for scale-up to commercial production and availability 

for military and commercial applications. [192] [219]

Improved Combustion in Thermobaric Explosive Formulations 

In 2005, three new patents were issued to NAWCWD researchers for creating thermobaric 

explosives with improved combustion efficiency. Thermobaric explosives work by first expelling 

a cloud of explosive mist using a small charge and then igniting it with a second charge. While 

effective in open spaces, these types of bombs have proved ineffective in confined poor-oxygen 

environment areas, such as in tunnels. The new explosive components have a 50 to 100% higher 

blast energy and will help to eliminate these problems. [172]
 150 | Arming the Fleet

Insensitive Munitions Technology Transition

Program (IMTTP) Warhead Demonstration 

In 2004-2005, IMTTP efforts greatly improved the IM 

performance of a 5-inch-diameter warhead when compared 

with the existing Sidewinder warhead. This capability was 

demonstrated by utilizing both a directional-based initiation 

design and the conventional end-initiated design currently 

used. Working with the Joint Navy/Air Force IM Bomb 

Program, NAWCWD designed new annular bomb fills with 

shock-attenuating liners to mitigate sympathetic detonation 

in general purpose bombs. NAWCWD also evaluated hightemperature and metal matrix composite case materials 

to further enhance IM stability. For example, NAWCWD 

designed and tested the first iteration of a pumice barrier 

for Tactical Tomahawk that could effectively double the number of all-up rounds that are safely 

shipped in the logistic configuration. [172]

Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion

Technology (IHPRPT) Program

Meeting the demand for future Navy missiles requires continuous technology development. The 

IHPRPT Program, started in 1994, is an integrated tri-service/NASA/industry effort to develop 

and demonstrate innovative, revolutionary technologies that will double rocket propulsion 

capabilities, including boost, space, and tactical. NAWCWD handles 80% of the tactical 

IHPRPT Program, leads the tactical demonstrator program, and bears overall responsibility for 

propellants and control systems. Significant progress has been made toward achieving the goals 

of increased delivered energy and mass fraction because of the development of propellants 

with higher-energy ingredients (CL-20 and ammonium dinitramide). Because of improved 

propellants, composite motor cases, low-eroding nozzles, and innovative thrust vector control 

systems, higher operating pressures are now possible. [105]

In 2005 and 2006, NAWCWD completed payoff studies involving the AIM-9X, AMRAAM, 

and RAM, and results showed significant improvements in increasing propellant energy and 

motor volumetric loading, decreasing component weight and volume, and increasing component 

efficiency, without sacrificing safety or increasing cost. [172]

Joint Technical Coordinating Group on

Aircraft Survivability (JTCG/AS) 

Fire is a leading contributor to attrition of aircraft in combat. Active fire-suppression systems, 

however, can often be complex, costly, and heavy. Various passive fire-protection technologies 

exist that are low cost and low weight. For example, the simple passive extinguisher involves 

a reactive agent placed or installed directly within the aircraft compartment. Fire activates the 
Research and Engineering | 151

agent, which rapidly fills the compartment and extinguishes the fire. In addition, upon ballistic 

impact, reactive powder panels will break open and release the encased fire suppressant powder. 

The JTCG/AS project at China Lake is investigating the use of an energetic material to enhance 

powder release from such panels. For example, ionomer fuel containment technology could 

be used to produce better self-sealing materials, hot surface ignition mitigation to reduce the 

surface-to-liquid heat transfer when flammable fuels encounter hot components, and intumescent 

firewalls that respond to fire by swelling several orders of magnitude beyond their original 

thickness to thermally protect and insulate the structure. [100]

NAVSEA/NAVAIR Navy Energetics Program

The power of energetic materials is a critical Navy technology, ranging from a 5‐milligram lowenergy initiator to an 81,000-pound rocket motor. In every Navy weapon, this material either 

burns or blows up. Because Sailors live at sea in close quarters with high-explosive weapons, 

munitions are an even greater concern to the Navy than for other military branches. The Navy 

Energetics Leadership Board (NELB) and the Navy’s Energetics Integrated Product Team (EIPT) 

are forging a unified NAVSEA/NAVAIR energetics program that represents all four of the Navy’s 

energetics laboratories: Crane, Indiana; Dahlgren, Virginia; the Indian Head Division of the Naval 

Surface Warfare Center, Maryland; and NAWCWD at China Lake and Point Mugu. The NELB 

will “preserve the Navy’s competency in energetics, foster collaboration among warfare centers, 

and speak for the Navy energetics [community] with a single voice.” The EIPT, on the other 

hand, is tasked with “formulating clear, realizable vision for Navy’s energetics future; defining 

a coordinated Navy energetics strategy; developing an energetics technology and requirements 

roadmap; and actively pursuing collaborative projects between the system commands.” [97]

Reduced-Smoke Propellant

At the end of World War II, solid rocket motors were made 

from the same smokeless double-base propellant (i.e., 

nitroglycerine and nitrocellulose) used in guns. More-modern 

rocket motors, however, use propellants composed of rubber 

binders filled with powdered ammonium perchlorate and 

solids like powdered aluminum. This composition performs 

better than previous propellants and can be cast into motors 

of any size and shape but produces a white smoke that, in 

certain weapon systems, is extremely disadvantageous. In 

response to the needs of the Sidewinder and the HARM 

teams, during the 1960s, China Lake engineers developed 

a composite propellant without the aluminum powder. This 

became known as a reduced-smoke propellant. Removing the aluminum caused only a slight 

reduction in performance but did introduce the problem of combustion instability. China Lake 

soon solved this problem by developing reduced-smoke motors for Sidewinder and HARM in 

the 1980s. [159]
 152 | Arming the Fleet

Roseville–Benson Investigations 

In 1973, explosions rocked two different trains carrying Air Force bombs filled with Navydeveloped explosives. The incidents, one at Roseville, California, and the other at Benson, 

Arizona, shook public confidence in the safety of transporting military ordnance and resulted 

in a lawsuit against the government. China Lake explosives experts conducted a rigorous 

examination of the entire process of the design, manufacture, and quality control for the Mk 81 

and Mk 82 bombs involved and solidly demonstrated the safety of the weapons. Through careful 

scientific investigation of the explosion sites and laboratory analysis of the evidence, the China 

Lake team isolated the cause of the disasters to the trains’ faulty brake shoes that set fire to 

the wooden boxcars carrying the bombs. Over a period of 7 years, China Lake scientists and 

engineers assisted U.S. attorneys in developing the technical aspects of a defense that saved the 

government between $50 and $90 million in damages. [40]

High-Speed Weapons (HSWs)

High-speed supersonic and hypersonic weapons can 

provide dramatic improvements in platform and weapons 

survivability, in the ability to engage time-critical targets, 

and in the penetration of hardened and deeply buried targets. 

NAWCWD’s strategic objective is to position itself as the 

leader in HSW development, thus giving the United States 

a definite decisive advantage.

NAWCWD has conducted extensive work in the technologies 

required to make such weapons a reality, including efforts 

in advanced airbreathing propulsion systems (i.e., ramjet), 

blended body airframes, high-temperature materials, and 

ordnance package concepts. Programs such as RATTLRS are under way to demonstrate these 

technologies in flight testing. [172] [219]

Increased Capabilities Against Moving

and Stationary Targets

NAWCWD is currently developing two systems to increase the Navy’s capability to engage 

moving and stationary surface targets in all weather conditions. The first system is the Direct 

Attack Seeker Head (DASH), a low-cost dual-mode (imaging IR/millimeter wave) seeker for 

attacking moving and stationary surface targets in adverse weather conditions. DASH’s goal is 

to provide that much needed capability to the Tactical Tomahawk, but the modular seeker design 

will allow integration into a variety of weapons by using adapter kits.

To date, the commercial off-the-shelf imaging IR sensor was selected and procured, the radar 

sensor design was completed, all subcomponents were fabricated, and the core processor design 
Research and Engineering | 153

was completed and moved to printed circuit layout and fabrication. Integration onto the Tactical 

Tomahawk is tentatively planned for 2012.

The second system is the multimode sensor seeker, which utilizes visible, IR, and laser radar 

sensors in correlation with advanced automatic target recognition algorithms to increase target 

identification in all-weather maritime environments and reduce false alarm rates and operator 

workload. The sensor hierarchy will also provide increased standoff range. This system is 

intended for the MQ-8 Fire Scout but may also be placed into future weapon systems.

In 2008, the sensor subsystem contract was awarded, and the project completed a systems 

requirements review and began preliminary design work. In 2009, the preliminary design review 

was completed, and a preliminary design was developed. [172] [219]

Missile Airframe Technology

NAWCWD missile airframe technology efforts provide affordable airframe structures, stable 

weapon flight, increased maneuverability, safe separation from launch platforms, reduced drag, 

improved aero-prediction and defense penetration techniques, and high-temperature airframes. 

NAWCWD has greatly advanced composite material technology and was instrumental in 

developing American Society for Testing and Materials standard material test methods that 

are now used by the industrial community for characterizing the structural performance of 

filament-wound composite structures. Before this time, there was no accepted method to qualify 

manufacturers. NAWCWD is developing the advanced high-performance motor cases needed 

to satisfy IM requirements and the lightweight high-temperature structures required for highperformance hypersonic weapon systems. 

Between 1998 and 2001, composite technology scale-up to a Sidewinder-class airframe was 

demonstrated and successfully qualified for captive-carriage flight testing. In addition, an 

all-composite motor case was successfully demonstrated in the Multi-Mission Propulsion 

Technology Advanced Technology Demonstration. This technology was transitioned to the 

RAM Risk Reduction and Common Modular Missile Programs. NAWCWD is also exploring 

combined IR/RF radome concepts and lifting-body technology that addresses high-speed, lowdrag requirements for high-performance supersonic and hypersonic systems. At the systems 

level, NAWCWD uses the Integrated Hypersonic Aeromechanics Tool for design trade studies 

and optimization. [99]
 154 | Arming the Fleet

Physics

Nanoplasmonics and Metamaterials

The need for miniaturization of optoelectronic components 

is critical for reducing the footprint and weight of future 

weapons systems. Currently, most optical devices are built 

at the scale much larger than the wavelength due to the 

limitation of wave diffraction that prohibits light transmission 

in the sub-wavelength scale. The latest developments in 

nanoplasmonics and metamaterials offer the potential to 

overcome this diffraction limit, thus enabling devices to be 

built in the sub-wavelength scale. Another newly discovered 

application of these materials is a novel physical effect 

of the nonlinear properties of metamaterials. Nonlinear 

metamaterials can shield objects from high-power laser beams. It has been observed that the 

shielding strength increases with increasing laser power. 

NAWCWD is currently studying mathematical analysis, electromagnetic modeling, and fabrication 

of metamaterials. Investigations are also under way in areas such as metamaterial antennas for 

UAVs, metamaterial waveguides and transmission lines that can operate in the sub-wavelength 

region, optical scattering from metallic rods at grazing incidence resulting in Sommerfeld 

resonances, fabrication of novel dielectric/metal stacks for optical/IR metamaterials, and state-ofthe-art chemical thin-film fabrication techniques. This work is supported by ONR and NAVAIR 

Independent Applied Research and In-House Laboratory Independent Research Programs, as 

well as by China Lake discretionary funding from the RF and electrooptic initiatives. [172]

Radiant Virgo and the Moving Target Demonstration

Under the Radiant Virgo project, researchers developed an application that provides automated 

geo-registration of tactical UAS video obtained from electrooptic and IR sensors. With the use of 

a Digital Point Positioning Database to help derive precise coordinates, PGMs can then engage 

relocatable, nonmoving ground targets in nearly real time. Virgo was also adapted to utilize other 

nongovernmental resources, including WorldView1. 

The technology was first demonstrated during Empire Challenge 2009 by using a live coalition 

network feed from ScanEagle. The technology was subsequently demonstrated to Commander, 

Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, and Commander Operational Test and Evaluation 

Force with linkage between NAWCWD and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center in 

San Diego.

The moving target demonstration builds on the geo-registration capabilities of Radiant Virgo by 

incorporating a moving tracker. This modification will provide PGMs with moving target track 

capability for passive moving target tracking and precision engagement on the ground. The goal 
Research and Engineering | 155

is to automatically track objects of interest and provide automatic geo-rectified updates at 1/2- to 

1/5-second intervals. [172]

Technology Transfers

Technical transfer refers to the process of transferring a specific technology developed by the 

government and made available to industry. While NAWCWD’s primary focus is on research 

and development of weapons for the Navy, many discoveries during research can be beneficial to 

industry and have nonmilitary uses, as described earlier. 

The Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC), the primary national federal technology transfer 

group, was originally established by China Lake in 1971 as the DoD Technology Laboratory 

Consortium for Technology Transfer and grew from 11 original laboratories in 1971 to 

200 laboratories in 1975 under China Lake’s leadership. Today, the FLC consists of more than 

250 federal laboratories and centers and their parent departments and agencies. The FLC promotes 

and strengthens technology transfer nationwide. Through the years, thousands of government 

patents have been awarded, with numerous applications to warfighting systems, a key means of 

staying ahead of U.S. adversaries. 

NAWCWD transfer programs have included telecommunications on radar systems, video 

frequency data conversions, data displays, test facilities, and a design for an airport firefighting 

system for short takeoff and landing airports for the FAA. Work was done in low-light-level 

television, voice scramblers, patrol car tracking, and personnel communication links for the 

Law Enforcement Assistance Administration. Biomedical ideas have been brought to life for the 

National Institute of Health, and an air quality control monitoring program conducted mapping 

of aerosols for the State of California. Other significant NAWCWD contributions resulted 

from investigations into wind, solar, and geothermal energy; solid waste conversion to cleanburning fuel; aircraft survivability; and an explosive device used to clear fire lines for the Forest 

Service. [41]

It would require volumes of documents to describe all the research and technology that 

NAWCWD has transferred to industry. The following subsections, though, highlight many of 

these achievements.

Actuated Cable Cutters

In the early 1950s, China Lake developed a blank explosive cartridge-actuated cable cutter for 

emergency cable cutting for ship tow/transfer lines, helicopter supply lines, etc. In 1990, this 

technology was transferred to private industry, and, today, several companies have developed 

advanced cartridge-actuated cutting tools that are used nationwide, as well as by many countries 

throughout the world for police, sheriffs, special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams, and fire 

departments to cut security bars, chains, and locks. [8] 
 156 | Arming the Fleet

These tools are also highly effective “jaws of life” for cutting through steering wheels and break 

pedals. The electric power line industry across the United States and in some foreign countries 

is also using cutters for cutting lines, bolts, and ground rods. These extremely portable devices 

are also indispensable for emergency relief during earthquakes, explosions, and other disasters. 

Cutters can also be remotely activated. Rescue workers use these devices for cutting rebar and 

other steel bars. For example, in the Oklahoma City bombing, cutters were used by the fire 

department to rescue trapped individuals. 

Calcification-Prevention Tablets

For decades, the Navy dealt with the problem of calcium buildup in the sewer systems aboard 

ships. When urinals are flushed with sea water (which is well saturated with calcium), uric 

acid and other acid components cause precipitation of calcium carbonate, which builds up on 

the inside of the ship’s plumbing. The traditional cure for pipes clogged by calcium deposits 

is hydroblasting, which is expensive and time-consuming. NAWCWD China Lake scientists 

developed inexpensive, environmentally friendly water-soluble polymers that are placed into 

urinals in tablet form and release citric acid to bind the calcium in the flush water. Today, 

virtually every ship in the U.S. Navy carries and uses this product. This technology is also being 

used by industry in countless commercial vessels and facilities worldwide. [203]

Chemiluminescent Light Stick 

NAWCWD China Lake developed the chemiluminescent 

light stick technology between 1962 and 1986 for military 

use as emergency lighting for life rafts, downed flyer 

beacons, map reading, and damage evaluation. An improved 

technology was patented in 1986 and 1987, and it was 

licensed commercially. Commercial uses include novelty 

items and safety illumination sticks for emergency kits 

and commercial fishing lures, as well as brightly glowing 

novelty safety necklaces. This technology also received the 

1993 FLC Award for Technology Transfer Excellence. [203]

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Elimination for Soldering and FireSuppression Applications

Historically, CFCs were used for cleaning and firefighting applications. They are stable, easy to 

use, and inexpensive. Approximately 220,000 tons were used worldwide each year, and the DoD 

used this compound extensively. CFCs, however, also fell into the category of ozone-depleting 

compounds. Under President George H. W. Bush, the United States decided to phase out CFCs 

by 1995. NAWCWD China Lake evaluated commercially available non-ozone-depleting 

products for cleaning electronic assemblies and helped to develop and test low-residue no‐clean 

solders, citric-acid-based flux, and wave soldering processes. With military aircraft susceptible 

to fires caused by ballistic penetration of fuel tanks, Halon 1301 was the agent of choice 
Research and Engineering | 157

for extinguishing fires. It, unfortunately, was also being phased out. In response, NAWCWD 

developed gas generators (“pyrotechnic extinguishers”) that produced large quantities of inert 

gases to smother fires. The first patent for this technology was issued in 1986. [148]

Continuous Emissions Monitor (CEM) 

The TraceAIRTM system was developed to answer an environmental need to monitor pollution 

from the primary 14 toxic airborne metals frequently emitted from incinerator stacks. A CRADA 

between NAWCWD China Lake and Thermo Jarrell Ash Corporation was formed, and the 

system was developed, tested, and validated as a viable commercial environmental monitor. In 

1997, the TraceAIRTM CEM system was recognized as a winner of one of the prestigious R&D 

Magazine 100 Awards. These awards recognize the 100 most technologically significant new 

products of the year and have been referred to as the “Oscars of Invention” and the “Nobel Prize 

of Applied Research.” The inventors of the TraceAIRTM system were also awarded a 1998 Award 

for Excellence in Technology Transfer by the FLC. [130]

Diamondoids

In 2004, NAWCWD negotiated a CRADA with Chevron to jointly develop new products based on 

“diamondoids,” which are nano-diamond fragments that are very rigid and stable. ChevronTexaco 

recovers diamondoids from natural gas wells. NAWCWD is exploring potential uses as building 

blocks for optical and structural components of future weapon systems. Decades ago, similar 

compounds were investigated for airbreathing rocket fuel at China Lake, but new purification 

methods are making a wide variety of new structures available for other applications. [172]

Dual Polarized Broadband Tapered Slot Antenna

NAWCWD researchers invented a low-cost, lightweight dual polarized broadband tapered 

slot antenna that can be used for multiple applications and is very cheap to manufacture (e.g., 

$200 versus the $5,000 charged by contractors). The first and second radiating antennas are 

colocated and positioned to be perpendicular to one another. Each antenna includes a relatively 

thin dielectric substrate and a radiating metallic antenna element mounted on the upper surface. 

These new antennas allow for linear, elliptical, and circular polarization. [172]

Electrical Initiation System

Electrically ignitable primers have been previously used in military applications for high-speed 

firing of various-sized-caliber ordnance; in blasting for mining operations; for automotive crash 

bag initiation and inflation; and for seismic guns, kiln guns, rocket motors, and pyrotechnic 

displays. Many of these primers, however, are not suitable for small arms such as rifles, pistols, 

and shotguns. Typically, electrically ignitable primers initiated by exploding bridgewires or hot 

wires in combination with a semiconductive mixture, pyrotechnic mix, or conductive mix suffer 

from relatively long ignition times. This new electrical initiation technique relies substantially 

on vaporizing a thin metallic film or strip and rapidly igniting a lead-free explosive composition. 

The patent on this technology was awarded in 2005. [172]
 158 | Arming the Fleet

Environmentally Friendly Mixture of Trinitrotoluene (TNT) 

NAWCWD researchers were issued a patent in 2005 for making an environmentally friendly 

explosive mixture of TNT by using a cyclodehydrative condensation mechanism for melting the 

high explosive. This method does not produce unwanted highly toxic nitration isomers that must 

be discarded, a very expensive process. The new materials generated can be safely reused. [172]

Exploding Foil Initiator (EFI) Based Squib

Arm-and-Fire Device (AFD)

During the Bosnian conflict, China Lake developed the low-energy exploding foil initiator 

(LEEFI), which is used in-line with main charge explosives to safely initiate warheads. The LEEFI 

employs microelectronics technologies that required only half as much energy as conventional 

initiators, and production was two-thirds less labor intensive. In 2004, EFI technology advanced 

and has significantly reduced the cost and weight of rocket motor safety devices. Other 

applications include use in thermal batteries, non-detonating self-destruct mechanisms, and 

pyrotechnic ignition devices.

Explosive Forming and Welding

During the 1960s, NAWCWD China Lake invented explosive forming and explosive welding, two 

exotic techniques that revolutionized metal fabrication. In the course of investigating terminal 

ballistics, shaped charges, and metal-explosive systems, China Lake scientists discovered that a 

small explosive charge is capable of exerting tremendous forces on a piece of metal by generating 

shock waves through a medium (usually water or oil), which can then be directed to deform a 

workpiece at very high velocities. In a second method, an explosive charge is held in direct 

contact with the workpiece while the detonation is initiated, thus producing interface pressures 

on the surface of the metal up to several million pounds per square inch. The shock waves 

perform the same function as a mechanical punch. 

These explosive forming techniques reduce the cost of the production (because die alignment is 

avoided) and have high accuracy. In addition, they are useful for forming metal sheet and tubular 

parts; complex shapes such as double curved surfaces; and large, thick parts. Explosive welding 

also bonds two surfaces in a solid state by creating a jet of metal in front of the detonation 

front. Originally employed to clad large areas of one metal with another, the technique is now 

used to produce corrosion-resistant pressure vessels, electrical bus bars, transition joints for 

shipbuilding, and heat exchangers for nuclear installations. Today, the techniques pioneered by 

NAWCWD China Lake are widely used in the aerospace and aircraft industries, as well as in the 

production of automotive components. [40]

Geophysical Warfare, “Rainmaking” 

During the Vietnam conflict, the United States military needed a way to interdict enemy traffic 

on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. NAWCWD China Lake developed weather manipulation technology 

to “seed” specific clouds to enhance rainfall, thereby significantly deterring enemy activity 

on the trail. NAWCWD personnel participated in Operation Popeye, a top secret project (now 
Research and Engineering | 159

declassified) to train B-52 pilots to use C-130s to seed certain clouds. This project was highly 

successful, and the Ho Chi Minh Trail was washed out, thus making it impossible for the enemy 

to move to their destinations. This project was the first time the military manipulated the weather 

as a weapon. This highly successful technology is used today by industry in hurricane abatement, 

fog control, and drought relief. [167] [228]

Geothermal Energy

In 1964, geological engineers at China Lake discovered the 

enormous geothermal potential on the northwest portion of 

the base. In 1977, a Navy plan was developed for a private 

industry contract. The intent was to take advantage of the 

geothermal energy to generate savings to the Navy for the 

cost of electricity and to stimulate the Navy’s alternative 

energy program, thereby allowing the Navy to become 

more independent of foreign fuels. A contract was awarded 

to California Energy Company, Inc., in 1979 to produce 

75 megawatts at no capital cost to the federal government 

except for local administration costs. The contract was later 

modified to accommodate greater production in 1984. The 

peak output is 263 milliwatts, of which approximately 182 milliwatts is from Navy land and 

81 milliwatts is from Bureau of Land Management leases. 

The Coso Geothermal Project is a world-class resource, ranking among the top 10 in total power 

output. NAWCWD receives a reduction in its electricity bill every month, an agreement that has 

been in place since power was first generated in 1987. Total savings to NAWCWD since that 

time exceed $36 million, and the Navy will save in excess of $500 million during the life of the 

contract. It would take more than 240 million barrels of oil to produce an amount of electricity 

comparable to that which the Coso Geothermal Project will produce with its four geothermal 

power plants over its 30-year lifetime. [141]

The military set a goal that 25% of its energy should come from renewable sources by 2025, 

and NAWCWD China Lake was assigned the lead role for 

all Navy geothermal efforts, even those not geographically 

limited to China Lake. As environmental concerns continue 

to shift toward “greener” power sources worldwide, 

geothermal technology will stay in the forefront to supply 

energy by using the earth’s inner heat. [219]

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) 

Containers

NAWCWD Point Mugu was involved in helping develop 

new technologies for HAZMAT containers. These containers 

help the Navy comply with strict Resource Conservation and 
 160 | Arming the Fleet

Recovery Act regulations, as well as provide the Navy with a significant cost savings. During the 

first year of operation, for example, the Navy reduced its HAZMAT purchases from $132,000 

to $55,000, with only one directorate participating in the program. The second year, purchases 

dropped to $43,000. More than 60 different types of HAZMAT containers are currently in 

use at Navy/Army/Air Force facilities around the world. They are also currently available on 

commercial carriers. [141] [230]

Health Monitoring System for Warfighters

NAWCWD researchers, in conjunction with Sun Biomedical Technologies (SunBMT), have 

developed novel data mining techniques for the early detection of disease. This new capability 

has the benefit of increasing both warfighter productivity and mission success rates. Warfighter 

productivity decreases during the symptomatic stage of any illness. Early detection, along 

with proper medical care, greatly reduces the duration of the illness. Also, missions can be 

compromised if critical personnel are noticeably ill during the mission. The gestation period for 

diseases can range from hours to years; therefore, the Warfighter may be unaware that he or she is 

sick prior to deployment. Testing essential personnel for disease before deployment will reduce 

the number of sick warfighters in the field. The procedure created by NAWCWD and SunBMT 

accomplishes these goals by using a small blood sample to reliably predict disease occurrence 

before the onset of symptoms. 

This new technology is based on the emerging fields of pattern diagnostics, in which specific 

proteomic and genomic expression profiles are used to classify an individual as sick or healthy. 

Exposure to a disease is manifested in cellular and molecular changes, and these changes are 

specific for each disease type. Given the complexity of the human proteome/genome, however, 

it is challenging to assess the global cellular changes that occur following disease exposure. 

Using high-resolution and comprehensive analytical techniques to identify the proteins and their 

relative abundance in blood samples, together with sensitive data mining algorithms, makes it 

possible to characterize these changes and utilize them for disease prediction. 

Improved Soldering Technology 

During the 1970s, NAWCWD China Lake pioneered a unified set of state-of-the-art soldering 

techniques, materials, and processing technologies to ensure the production of high-quality, highreliability electronic modules for military systems. China Lake also developed WS‐6536, the DoD 

soldering specification. This effort led to a set of highly successful soldering technology seminars 

and training courses that were regularly presented and hosted at China Lake from 1976 to 1993. 

Industry sent representatives to China Lake for training and certification. In 1993, the training 

course was transferred to industry through a CRADA between NAWCWD and Comarco, Inc. The 

soldering technology and techniques developed under this program led directly to today’s highquality, high-reliability electronic systems in the commercial marketplace. [130]

Injection Loading of Energetic Materials

NAWCWD China Lake began developing injection loading technology in the mid-1980s to meet 

the Navy’s IM requirements. This process provided a valuable means of loading explosives into 
Research and Engineering | 161

munitions, thus providing a greater range of loadable viscosities and consistent load quality. For 

plastic-bonded explosives, injection loading is much faster than conventional casting methods. 

China Lake also built a bench-scale injection loader in 1986, which was certified in 1995 for 

live operation. The injection loader has been in operation since and is also applicable to the 

propellant industry. [149]

Lead-Free Electric Primer

NAWCWD developed and optimized a lead-free primer formulation using nano-aluminum and 

molybdenum trioxide, a formulation that is one of two likely candidates for integration into 

industry as a replacement for lead primers in electrically primed ammunition. In testing and 

characterization, these primers have shown very positive results and meet DoD specifications. 

Thus, NAWCWD’s efforts have led to a safer primer with better resistance to aging. 

Approximately 1.5 billion rounds of small- and medium-caliber ammunition are fired by the 

U.S. military each year, and the DoD has a costly Environmental Protection Agency clean-up 

problem involving lead contamination in indoor and outdoor ranges. To help solve this problem 

NAWCWD is leading a team of researchers from LANL, Picatinny Arsenal, Lake City Army 

Ammunition Plant, Novacentrix, and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems to 

validate and initiate transition of a new technology that would use nanoscale materials to develop 

environmentally acceptable lead-free primers for medium-caliber applications. 

The refinement of the primer mix could also be transitioned to industry. Naval researchers at 

Indian Head, Maryland, and the Army are also evaluating an alternate candidate containing nanoaluminum and bismuth oxide. [172]

Logarithmic Amplifiers

The first ultrasonic body scanner was pioneered at China Lake during the late 1960s and early 

1970s. Logarithmic nonlinear amplifiers compress and limit the amplitude of large-dynamicrange electronic signals. At China Lake, these amplifiers were under development for radar 

signal processing applications. Sonar signals can also have very large dynamic ranges. In 1971, 

NAWCWD China Lake transferred the design for a custom logarithmic amplifier to the Mayo 

Clinic, which was instrumental in the design, development, and successful demonstration of the 

first ultrasonic body-scanning equipment. Ultrasonic scanning equipment has since become a 

very important noninvasive medical diagnostic tool used worldwide. [130]

Natural Pumice

The Ordnance Evaluation Branch at NAWCWD China Lake was the first branch of the 

U.S. Government to use pumice to protect assets and personnel, with three patents awarded. 

NAWCWD first discovered the useful effects of pumice in the late 1970s while performing 

sympathetic detonation research. Engineers discovered that pumice, a volcanic ash created as 

lava cools, is readily found on the China Lake ranges. Pumice is very accessible, easy to use, and 

inexpensive. It contains thin membranes with enclosed air-filled cells and is naturally effective 

at absorbing shock, deflecting blasts, and preventing sympathetic detonation of explosives, thus 
 162 | Arming the Fleet

reducing explosive chain reactions. The low thermal conductivity of pumice (it melts rather 

than burns at temperatures around 2,500oF) makes it an ideal fire barrier. At a pumice mine near 

NAWCWD, natural ash is screened and inserted in its natural state inside thin container walls. 

Pumice containers can store more types of explosives in closer quarters, and these containers are 

currently used by rapid-response teams in all military branches, as well as by the Fleet, for safe 

packaging, transportation, and storage. In 2002, NAWCWD received congressional funding to 

continue research and development with pumice technology for various applications. [150]

Toxic Metal Removal From Storm Water 

In 2006, NAWCWD researchers invented and patented a method for removing toxic metals from 

storm water runoff to provide clean water. The treatment facility includes a pretreatment chamber 

for removing large toxic particles and an absorption chamber for removing fine particles of toxic 

metals. The absorption chamber has a bed of three absorptive materials for removing the fine 

particles. This invention can be easily adapted for use at any military or industrial facility. [172]

Sensors in Automotive Air Bags

In 1994, the Navy needed a means to accurately measure the 

distance traveled by the missile after launch, a computation 

necessary for arming the warhead firing device at a safe 

distance from the launch aircraft. NAWCWD China Lake 

engineers conceived of an extremely robust and precise 

micro-machined miniature accelerometer. Working with a 

Small Business Innovative Research contractor, NAWCWD 

oversaw development using microelectronic fabrication 

techniques (to ensure ease of manufacture and lower per-unit 

cost) and operating with a single power supply. The device 

was also designed to be resistant to variations in supply 

voltage. The resulting accelerometer was incorporated into several warhead SADs. This device 

subsequently transitioned into millions of automobile crash-sensor air-bag-initiation systems by 

major foreign and domestic automobile manufacturers. The device is also used for hundreds of 

other consumer and industrial applications and is marketed internationally. [42]

Stop-Action Electromechanical Shuttered Video Cameras 

In 1975, China Lake test range personnel devised an invention to provide non-smeared stop-action 

images of high-speed video events to allow accurate position-versus-time measurements. This 

technology also reduced cost compared to high-speed film cameras. The method was originally 

developed for vidicon tube cameras, but methods to achieve the same results with charge coupled 

device video cameras were also developed. A patent was awarded in 1977. During the late 1970s 

and the early 1980s, the technology was transferred to a commercially available multispectral 

video camera (a stop-action camera for sports training). [158]

Supersonic Combustion Heating Apparatus 

NAWCWD researchers were awarded a patent in 2005 for an invention that includes a sidewall 
Research and Engineering | 163

cavity with an advanced mixing system with ground-based oxygen injection for hypersonic 

materials and engine testing. This invention enhances kinetics, produces an increased

high-enthalpy flow source, enhances flame stability, improves mixing between fuel and air, and 

shortens chemical ignition delay, without the use of expensive film-cooled nozzles. In addition, 

the Navy saves an estimated $2 million for each nozzle. [172]

Waste Incineration Technology

NAWCWD has developed and demonstrated an efficient high-temperature waste incineration 

technology. This technology allows smaller units to incinerate larger amounts of waste, thus using 

less fuel and resulting in fewer by-products than current commercial incineration processes. While 

investigating airbreathing (ramjet) combustion technology for aircraft and missile applications, 

NAWCWD researchers developed continuous computerized combustion-control technology that 

maximizes the heat and optimizes the location of combustion vortices within the combustor 

unit. This technology can be incorporated into small portable combustion units for on-site waste 

incineration, thus eliminating the storage and transfer costs associated with removing waste to 

central locations. [41]

Cooperative Research and Development

Agreements (CRADAs) 

As our adversaries have adopted increasingly innovative 

tactics to disable coalition forces and impede their mission, 

the DoD has turned to one of its greatest assets, research 

and development, to counter these threats. NAWCWD has 

exploited CRADAs as mission extenders to leverage the 

capabilities of private industry in this endeavor. Several 

of the CRADAs recently executed in conjunction with 

this initiative are addressing specific force protection 

requirements. Through a series of CRADAs with different 

manufacturers, for example, NAWCWD is investigating use 

of lightweight armor materials to protect the occupants of 

HMMWVs, while preserving the vehicles’ durability and off-road performance. One CRADA 

is investigating the feasibility of using directed energy to disable the electronic triggering 

mechanisms of IEDs, a technology that may also have potential for standoff detection of IED 

command wires. Another CRADA explores the feasibility of achieving standoff detection of 

sniper scopes and optical surveillance equipment. [193]

Since the early 1990s, the number of CRADAs at NAWCWD has continued to escalate, with 

revenues in excess of $20 million, which represented a potential cost avoidance to the Navy 

of more than $66 million. Most agreements involve military-related technology; however, 

some CRADAs involve commercial and educational projects. For example, a CRADA with 

the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), enables the transfer of specialized radar 

technology from UCSB to the Navy for the purpose of mapping ocean surface currents and wave 
 164 | Arming the Fleet

heights in the vicinity of the Pacific Test Range. Another CRADA effort teams NAWCWD with 

a local medical research entity to explore the use of Navy-developed data mining and machine 

learning capabilities for medical diagnostic applications. Other significant CRADAs include a 

“TERM” ball joint seeker, integrated weapon system simulation, ESSM composite, Block IV fuze 

modification, guided Zuni rocket study, DPSS and Anti-Swimmer Grenade (ASG) development, 

counter-MANPADS research, and thermal battery research. [193]

Commercial Service Agreements (CSAs) 

CSAs are agreements in which a government laboratory conducts testing or provides services for 

a domestic non-Federal-government customer. Under these agreements, the customer pays the 

government laboratory all direct and indirect costs incurred to accomplish the work. NAWCWD 

has authority to conduct such “fee for service” work efforts, when they are in the interest of national 

defense, under three federal statutes: Title 10 U.S.C. §§2539b, 2681, and 2563. NAWCWD is one 

of the few DoD laboratories able to work under all three statutes.

In the performance of its military mission, NAWCWD has acquired and developed specialized 

equipment and many one-of-a-kind facilities. With the addition of this center’s dedicated scientists 

and engineers, the whole constitutes a significant scientific resource to industry. In fact, since 

the launch of NAWCWD’s CSA program in 1997, the number of CSAs has climbed to more than 

300, totaling more than $100 million. In fiscal year 2010 alone, 21 CSAs were enacted, with a 

total estimated value of $4.7 million. 

Educational Partnership

Agreements (EPAs) 

EPAs provide a mechanism for local education agencies, colleges, universities, and nonprofit 

institutions dedicated to improving science, mathematics, and engineering skills to take advantage 

of NAWCWD staff’s expertise, unique facilities, and equipment related to naval warfare systems 

and technologies. A primary goal of EPAs is for NAWCWD scientists and engineers to encourage 

and facilitate early interest in the sciences and engineering by young people at all stages of their 

academic careers. EPAs provide a formal vehicle for information exchange, access to state-ofthe-art facilities and technology, and research experiences. NAWCWD has ongoing EPAs with 

Sierra Sands Unified School District and Cerro Coso Community College, which are both located 

in Ridgecrest, California, as well as with New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 

California State University Channel Islands, and California State University Northridge. [43]

Patents With Commercial Potential

Since the 1940s, scientists and engineers have created hundreds of inventions to solve technical 

problems associated with weapon development. From 1959 to 2010, more than 1,500 patents 

have been issued at NAWCWD. Several NAWCWD inventors hold more than 20 patents. [203]
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 165

Energy Strategy
 166 | Arming the Fleet

Rear Admiral Mathias W. Winter, NAWCWD Commander, released the NAWCWD energy strategy in 

support of Secretary of the Navy’s (SECNAV’s) energy vision. Central to this strategy is NAWCWD’s 

focus on mission-compatible energy technologies, both at the installation and operational level. In 

addition, NAWCWD looks to partner with industry, academia, and other DoD activities to bring new 

energy technologies to the Warfighter. Steps being taken by NAWCWD in support of the SECNAV’s 

energy goals include the following: 

•	 Implementing energy-efficient acquisition policies. NAWCWD is answering the call by using 

energy-efficient products and manufacturing capabilities.

•	 Sailing the “Great Green Fleet.” NAWCWD is conducting RDT&E of biofuels and advanced 

fuel technologies. Additionally, biomaterial technologies to replace petroleum-based plastics and 

materials are being developed in the laboratories. The goal is to power jet, tactical, and non-tactical 

assets with biofuels by 2020.

•	 Reducing non-tactical petroleum use 50% by 2015. Remote range photovoltaic power, biofuelpowered generators, and advanced energy storage systems will replace diesel generators.

•	 Increasing alternative energy ashore 50% by 2020. Advancements at the Coso geothermal 

power plant have resulted in the generation of 200 megawatts per year of clean energy, and solar 

roofs throughout the Command are decreasing electric usage dramatically. A large solar farm at 

China Lake is in development.

•	 Increasing total alternative energy usage by 50% by 2020. A new Mission Compatibility 

Analysis Tool has been produced to characterize alternative energy developments around DoD 

installations. “Stealth” wind technology is being researched in conjunction with industry and 

academic partners, and smart metering initiatives are under way. Facilities and remote operations 

have solar photovoltaic installations to increase alternative energy generation.

Energy Strategy
Energy Strategy | 167

RDT&E of Energy Technologies

Biofuel Research

Rear Admiral Mathias W. Winter signed a CRADA with Cobalt 

Technologies, Inc., a Bay Area company, for the development 

of a Navy biofuel. Biomass waste could soon be transformed 

into the bio-jet fuel of choice. Research chemists at China 

Lake have developed proprietary processes for converting the 

sugar alcohol n-butanol (which is harvested from plant waste 

material) into jet and diesel fuel.

Renewable Energy Technologies

NAWCWD, with industrial and academic partners, is 

developing next-generation energy solutions for the Warfighter 

in the areas of advanced energy storage and generation 

technologies to harvest the power of the sun and water, solar 

generation systems to support expeditionary and tactical 

operations, micro-grid technologies to increase installation 

and operational energy security, and technologies to convert 

waste streams into energy and power, as well as pioneering 

the cutting-edge fields of solar-powered and biofuel-powered 

UxS.

Geothermal Energy

Today, the Coso geothermal power plant is a world-class 

Navy resource, with total savings to NAWCWD exceeding 

$36 million. The Coso geothermal power plant produces 

enough power for 330,000+ homes. Scientists at China Lake 

were assigned the lead role for Navy geothermal efforts, 

even those not geographically limited to China Lake. As 

environmental concerns continue to shift toward “greener” 

power sources worldwide, geothermal technology will stay at 

the forefront to supply energy by using the earth’s inner heat.
 168 | Arming the Fleet

Other Energy Initiatives

Solar Farm at Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz Island, located 30 miles off the coast of Point Mugu, 

has three photovoltaic systems providing power to remote 

facilities. One of these is a 150-kilowatt battery system that 

provides power to radar and communication equipment. In 

addition, a second photovoltaic system provides power to pump 

water to the highest point on the island, which is located 8.5 miles 

from the water well, and a third project includes a 30-kilowatt 

portable photovoltaic and battery system.

Photovoltaic Carports and Other

Solar Thermal Projects

New photovoltaic carports and other solar thermal projects 

save the Navy more than $1 million annually. These projects 

were sponsored by an award from the American Recovery 

and Reinvestment Act of 2009, with the intent of reducing the 

carbon footprint and energy consumption of the base. Very large 

carport-mounted solar photovoltaic structures were installed 

in three of the largest parking lots on base, including those at 

Michelson Laboratory (155 kilowatts), Armitage Field (248 

kilowatts), and Range Headquarters (230 kilowatts). The solar 

systems supply power to the buildings and feed energy back into 

the power grid when there is excess electricity produced. All 

the solar photovoltaic projects at China Lake combined should 

generate approximately 1 megawatt of annual renewable energy. 

Project for 750-Kilowatt Molten Carbonate 

Fuel Cell Demonstrator at Marine Corps 

Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton

Integral to the renewable energy strategy, NAWCWD’s 

Renewable Energy Laboratory is often called upon by other 

DoD partners to provide expertise and consultation regarding 

energy technology RDT&E. As an example, the 750-kilowatt 

fuel cell demonstration at Camp Pendleton was spearheaded by 

NAWCWD’s scientists and engineers. The system provides base 

load power and heat, with environmental and energy security 

benefits. 
Energy Strategy | 169

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell 

Project at China Lake

NAWCWD engineers have been demonstrating new ways to 

store energy for use at night. Instead of acid-based batteries, the 

system is built around a hydrogen fuel cell. Electricity generated 

during the day powers an electrolyzer to generate hydrogen fuel 

from water. When the sun is no longer generating electricity 

in the panels, the fuel cell kicks in to generate power from the 

stored hydrogen. Currently, the Renewable Energy Laboratory 

at China Lake is optimizing the system to increase efficiency 

and reduce costs. 
 170 | Arming the Fleet

First and foremost, energy conservation extends tactical range of our forces while also preserving 

precious resources. Our goal, as a Navy, is to be an ‘early adopter’ of new technologies that enhance 

national security in an environmentally sustainable way. 

—Rear Admiral Philip Cullom

Director of the Chief of Naval Operations Energy 

and Environmental Readiness Division
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 171

Special Weapons and Projects
 172 | Arming the Fleet

NAWCWD’s primary mission is to develop weapons for the Navy; however, NAWCWD also has 

extensive experience in developing and testing military components and subsystems that have 

direct applications to other missions, such as space or oceanography. Although work for other 

government agencies, such as NASA, represents only a very small fraction of the work performed 

by NAWCWD, the contributions made by China Lake and Point Mugu to these projects were vital 

to their successes. 

China Lake Space Support

China Lake has a long association with NASA, applying its expertise in weapons development to 

the goal of space exploration.

Satellite and Probe Support

In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into a low-Earth orbit. 

In response, China Lake made six attempts to launch NOTSNIK, a missile and payload designed 

and built by China Lake, into orbit. A pilot flew at 40,000 feet and then initiated a steep climb to 

70,000 feet, at which point the rocket was launched, thrusting NOTSNIK into the atmosphere. 

Six launches took place over the Sea Range at Point Mugu. While five launches clearly failed 

to enter the Earth’s orbit, one NOTSNIK satellite reportedly entered the orbit, according to

Dr. John Nicolaides, the former Technical Director of the Navy’s Space Program in the Bureau 

of Ordnance in Washington, D.C. [47]

China Lake was also the first to develop technology for satellite reconnaissance that allowed 

electronic images to be sent back to Earth from space. Because of this technology, NASA was 

also able to transmit electronic images of the back side of the Moon to Earth. In addition, China 

Lake was the first to demonstrate a concept for an experimental antisatellite interceptor program 

and participated in early strategic defense and space research projects by developing probes, 

propulsion systems, and sensors. [152]

The SNORT facility at China Lake was used for numerous 

NASA tests, including testing the Gemini spacecraft, testing 

the parachute for the Space Shuttle’s solid rocket boosters, 

and designing and evaluating an emergency escape system for 

the Space Shuttle. Another project for NASA was developing 

a parachute system in the 1980s for Galileo’s atmospheric 

probes, which were dropped into planet Jupiter’s atmosphere 

in 1995. The parachutes helped to slow the probes’ descent 

as they gathered atmospheric data before being overcome by 

Jupiter’s high temperatures and pressures. [203]

Special Weapons and Projects
Special Weapons and Projects | 173

Lunar Support

In the 1960s, China Lake developed, assembled, and tested the Moon Lander 1105R Soft-Landing 

Vehicle incorporating an experimental variable thrust liquid-fuel rocket motor and advanced 

optical sensors. Although the device did not make it to the Moon, China Lake did develop an 

optical-contrast seeker that was used on some Moon lander flights to automatically control the 

engine thrust as the vehicle approached the surface. In addition, China Lake ranges were used as 

a test track for the lunar rover because of its similar terrain. 

When scientists wanted to simulate earthquakes on the Moon, NASA funded China Lake to 

develop the propellant for a series of mortars that astronauts left on the Moon. These mortars 

were later fired remotely from Earth to provide “moonquakes” for scientific study. China Lake 

was the only laboratory with the propellant technology to meet NASA’s rigid requirements (i.e., 

the propellant had to endure the Moon’s frigid vacuum for 7 weeks prior to being ignited). [46] [203]

Mars Mission Support

China Lake fabricated the rocket-assisted deceleration landing 

package tether system that was used in the successful Pathfinder 

landing on Mars in 1997. China Lake also designed, built, 

and assisted in the installation of the Zylon bridle system that 

connected the Mars exploration rover (MER) back shell to 

the lander. Each bridle contained 22 digital communication 

wires, thus allowing each lander to command the retro-rockets 

perfectly. Zylon, a new ultra-high-strength fiber, was subjected 

to strength and environmental testing. China Lake fabricated the 

prototypes, conducted qualification tests, and then fabricated 

three flight-quality units (plus a “flight spare”) to support the 

two MER missions. 

China Lake also supported the MER project by designing the descent rate limiters (DRLs), which 

allowed the lander to slowly drop to the end of the bridle; testing the radar systems that were used in 

timing air bag deployment and retro-rocket ignition; testing the retro-rockets that slowed both landers’ 

descent; and conducting multi-body tests that involved the parachutes, back shells, and landers, which 

were connected by lines and bridles into a three-body system. When NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

(JPL) was interested in the dynamics that would result during the descent to Mars, China Lake built a 

simulated three-body test item and dropped it from a helicopter. Onboard and ground-based instruments 

and video captured the responses.

China Lake’s support of the MER projects helped in the development of several technologies applicable 

to the Warfighter. Zylon lines, for example, may replace heavy, cumbersome aircraft tie-downs on 

carrier decks. The radar altimeter may also be considered for high-altitude low-opening parachute 

systems. In addition, the DRL is being considered for use in reusable reefing systems for Army cargo 

and Navy Special Operations Forces parachute systems.
 174 | Arming the Fleet

Current NASA Project Support

NASA has funded China Lake in several different project areas:

• Designing and testing the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) 

parachute, as well as developing and testing a new RF 

pyrotechnic line cutter device used for testing parachutes 

in the Ames Wind Tunnel Facility. The MSL is a Mars 

lander developed by the JPL that is much larger than the 

2004 rovers and is designed to conduct a multitude of 

science experiments on the surface of Mars. One of the test 

requirements is for the parachute to be disreefed several 

times once the wind tunnel airflow reaches test velocity. 

Because this time always varies, the standard “fixed” time 

delay line cutters could not be used. China Lake developed 

a radio-frequency-triggered line cutter that allows the line cutter to be fired after the wind tunnel 

comes up to speed. The device is revolutionary in the parachute industry and will help immensely 

in other DoD parachute programs. 

• Testing entry–descent–landing concepts for the next generation of Mars landers and, in association 

with JPL, developing a ground-based test bed to include a sophisticated multi-degree of-freedom 

dynamic simulator capable of full-size vehicle testing, as well as fabricating a test facility to 

conduct touchdown dynamic tests. China Lake is also working with NASA and other services on 

the IHPRPT to double rocket propulsion performance.

• Developing and testing a collapsible drogue parachute 

for NASA’s X-37 Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) Test 

Program. During T&E operations, a B-52 aircraft flies 

to 45,000 feet and releases the CRV, which conducts 

practice maneuvers and eventually lands at Edwards 

AFB. To ensure that the CRV does not inadvertently 

recontact the B-52 after release, China Lake developed 

a drogue parachute separation system that released from 

the CRV seconds after separation from the B-52. Due to 

the high-altitude test requirements and the direction of 

prevailing winds at that altitude, a drogue chute collapse 

mechanism was also needed to prevent the drogue 

from drifting into Los Angeles International Airport’s air corridor. This collapse mechanism 

consisted of ultra-low-temperature-capable silicone bands inside a Teflon cloth sleeve. The 

parachute system has currently undergone 14 parachute tests, ranging from the test of a single

10-foot-diameter pilot chute up to the system test of two 24‐foot-diameter drogue parachutes, 

three pilot parachutes, and a cluster of three 116-foot-diameter final recovery parachutes. The 

collapsible drogue system was successfully tested at China Lake’s HIVAS facility. [172]
Special Weapons and Projects | 175

Mini-RF—NASA’s Leap Into Lunar Exploration

Four decades after humankind’s first giant leap, NASA returned 

to the Moon in a big way with the Mini-RF project, which flew 

two radar instruments to map the lunar poles, to search for 

water ice, and to demonstrate new communication technologies. 

NAWCWD played an integral role in that effort.

An innovative SAR developed by China Lake orbited the Moon 

on two platforms: the Indian Space Research Organization’s 

Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft (November 2008 through 

August 2009) and NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter 

(LRO) (June 2009 to present). Chandrayaan made 3,400 orbits 

and sent back 70,000 images; and the LRO, still orbiting in 

2011, has made more than 1,000 orbits and has obtained more than 192 terabytes (41,000 DVDs) of 

unprecedented detailed data. Ice deposits were detected on the Moon’s north pole!

In addition, with images captured by the LRO camera, which provides ten times the resolution of any 

previous lunar camera, a new highly detailed topographical global map of the Moon was created, thus 

providing researchers worldwide with the best overview of the moon that we have ever had. We can 

now see rocks on the Moon that are only 2 feet in diameter.

The Mini-RF project focused on the mysterious and relatively unexplored regions that have significant 

exploration potential and have been chosen as the location of the next lunar mission. NAWCWD is 

proud to have been part of a diverse nationwide Mini-RF development and test team, which included 

government and university laboratories from across the United States.

Point Mugu Space Support

During Project Mercury, the nation’s first manned orbiting space capsule, Point Mugu was involved 

in planning support for NASA. In addition, during the reentry of space capsules, four range ships 

equipped with instrumentation and two WV-2 aircraft used for telemetry data collection stayed at the 

Sea Range to recover the capsules at sea.

Satellite Support

In 1962, Point Mugu was commissioned to operate the Navy 

Navigation Satellite System, which was also referred to as the 

Transit system. Transit was the first satellite navigation system 

to be used operationally. It was primarily used by the U.S. Navy 

to provide accurate location information to its Polaris missile 

ballistic submarines, as well as a navigation system by the 

Navy’s surface ships. The Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns 

Hopkins University originally developed Transit, and the system 

entered naval service in 1964. Point Mugu was one of the Navy’s 
 176 | Arming the Fleet

tracking and injection stations for Transit. Due to GPS technology and improvements in electronics, 

the Transit system ceased navigation service in 1996. The Transit satellites were kept in use after 1996 

as space-borne “mailboxes” and for the Navy Ionospheric Monitoring System. [51] [206]

Additional Space Program Support

Point Mugu also conducted drop tests on the Nuclear Emulsion Recovery Vehicle being developed 

by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) for NASA. ARPA assigned additional projects to 

Point Mugu, including SARV Retro (Mk IV) Air Force nose cone drop tests; instrumentation support 

for the Air Force-manned boost–glide spacecraft Dyna-Soar project; and work on TEEPEE, a Navy 

program for detecting ICBM launches and nuclear explosions by backscatter. 

During the 1960s and 1970s, Point Mugu investigated a variety of medical, biological, and psychological 

factors relating to aeronautic and astronautic activities. One project helped to establish design 

specifications for the flight cabins of manned space vehicles by exposing human subjects to a simulated 

34,000-foot altitude for 5 days; this project also allowed researchers to test pressure suits and evaluate 

the effects of atmosphere, oxygen, and pressurization. In addition, Point Mugu studied bioacoustics to 

determine the effects of noise on humans. A staff of engineering psychologists examined the effects 

of high-energy acoustic levels involving the aircraft, missile, and impulse noise associated with naval 

weapons. Many safety changes were made as a result of these studies. 

Point Mugu’s support of MDA and Air Force ballistic launch programs has continued, primarily with 

the NP-3D airborne telemetry, command destruct, and photo-optical systems. The NP‐3D telemetry 

systems have been used extensively in support of NASA space launch programs, including support for 

placing numerous satellites into orbit and support of Mars space probes. [50]

Air Projects

High-Flying Research 

In 1946, China Lake supported high-flying research. During the 4 years that B-29s were stationed at 

China Lake’s Armitage Field, they flew 268 missions at altitudes up to 40,000 feet, for an estimated 

600,000 miles. These flights accumulated data to support research conducted by physicists all over the 

country. The participating scientists authored an extensive collection of scientific publications, and 

China Lake received widespread recognition in the scientific community for its part in the program. [49]

Mountaintop Laboratory

In 1947, China Lake was looking for a high-altitude observation station to study the surface of the sun for 

solar flares, which were known to cause magnetic storms on earth and disrupt electrical communication 

systems. In 1948, China Lake built a laboratory near California’s White Mountain. The construction 

crew blasted and bulldozed a 19-mile road up to a 12,242-foot elevation. The first two buildings, 

with elevations of 9,850 and 10,500 feet, opened in 1949. The laboratories have also been used for a 

variety of high-altitude tests, including Long Jump, which was a NAWCWD program that obtained IR 
Special Weapons and Projects | 177

signatures of aircraft from a ground-based test station. Because of Mountaintop Laboratory’s altitude, 

aircraft could fly toward the station from more than 50 miles away, while still remaining below the 

facility’s altitude. Long Jump tests were conducted in 1985, 1986, 1988, and 1990. In Long Jump IV, 

36 different sensors were tested and evaluated. [48]

In addition to the Long Jump tests, the laboratory used a cloud chamber at the site to obtain the 

world’s first pictures of V particles, which are heavy, unstable subatomic particles. Also, a large mass 

spectrometer was installed to study the attenuation of sound waves. [49]

Undersea Projects

Anti-Swimmer Grenade (ASG) Program 

Since the Vietnam conflict, enemy swimmers have been a 

threat to naval and commercial ships by placing explosives 

on their hulls. The MK3A2 concussion grenade, which is very 

effective against enemy soldiers in bunkers, buildings, and 

underground passages, has been the main weapon used against 

enemy swimmers. These grenades, however, are meant for use 

in buildings or on the battlefield, not for underwater use, so a 

suitable replacement was needed. 

During 2004, NAWCWD developed and demonstrated 

a prototype grenade to engage underwater attackers that 

incorporates electronics for detecting desired depth and time to explode, as well as safeguards to prevent 

damage to personnel or ships. The hand-emplaced depth-activated ordnance device incorporates stateof-the-art safety and arming technology to meet the requirements for swimmer interdiction for port 

security. NAWCWD began design and development for concept demonstration, conducted underwater 

T&E to validate lethality, developed a test set to generate different sensor inputs, and performed openair testing to validate functionality and to characterize the ability of the detonator to properly initiate 

the main charge.

NAWCWD first successfully demonstrated the ASG in 2007, and further testing demonstrated ASG’s 

functionality at various depth settings. Testing was conducted at the Naval Surface Warfare Center 

Crane’s Lake Glendora underwater ordnance facility. Under a CRADA, Kaman Aerospace modified the 

China Lake design in accordance with that company’s best commercial practices. Additional analysis 

and testing are currently being conducted at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center at Newport to ensure 

the ASG is in accordance with federal Marine Mammal Protection Act standards. [172] [177]

Navy Marine Mammal Program (NMMP)

In the 1960s, China Lake and Point Mugu participated in the U.S. NMMP, which studied the way 

dolphins swim and communicate, as well as training them for high-risk tasks, such as deep-water 
 178 | Arming the Fleet

recovery and explosives placement. Because dolphins can make repeated dives to depths of hundreds 

of feet, have excellent directional hearing, and are not hindered by currents or reduced visibility, the 

animals were perfectly suited for naval operations. 

Project Notty, named after the first Navy dolphin, generated 

further interest in dolphin capabilities, including trainability, 

intelligence, and communication. Notty was moved from her 

small aquarium tank in Los Angeles to an aquatic test facility 

at Point Mugu near the entrance of the Mugu Lagoon. This 

facility filtered seawater pools, and tanks were built with a 

comprehensive array of high-frequency sonar equipment, 

hydrophones, speakers, and recorders. The project was staffed 

with marine zoologists, trainers, veterinarians, and sonar 

experts. The Navy collected other dolphins to train and later 

expanded the program to include sea lions and orcas. 

Dolphins were also trained for nonmilitary tasks that were considered too difficult or dangerous for 

divers. For example, in 1965, a 270-pound bottlenose dolphin named Tuffy was trained to carry tools 

down to aquanauts stationed at SEALAB II, where they lived 200 feet below the surface for 30 days. 

During this time, Tuffy also brought back mail to the surface and had rescue duty training; a lost 

aquanaut could sound a buzzer to call Tuffy, who would dive down with a safety line. 

In 1967, the NMMP and its Point Mugu facility were relocated to San Diego and were placed under 

the control of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center. [136] [232] 

Torpedo Development

As a result of China Lake’s expertise and reputation in both 

rocketry and underwater ordnance, the Bureau of Ordnance 

selected China Lake, with its facility at the Pasadena Annex, to 

conduct torpedo and other undersea projects. In the late 1940s, 

the Morris Dam facility at China Lake’s Pasadena Annex helped 

designers develop new weapons for underwater operations. 

A torpedo shop, test pits, and an underwater cableway were 

constructed, and, in 1948, the ingenious variable angle launcher 

was dedicated, thus providing a steel bridge (22 feet wide, 

35 feet high, and 300 feet long) that supported two launching 

tubes from which torpedoes could be launched at various angles 

and at velocities of up to 1,000 feet per second. China Lake 

first developed Weapon A, a 12.75‐inch rocket-propelled depth charge for use against submarines. 

Weapon A remained in the Fleet inventory for 18 years, until it was replaced by another China Lake 

product, the ASROC.
Special Weapons and Projects | 179

Other early torpedo projects developed by China Lake’s Underwater Ordnance Department based at 

the Pasadena Annex included the rocket-assisted torpedo; Deep Jeep, the first U.S. manned submersible 

to descend more than 2,000 feet; the cable-controlled underwater recovery vehicle, which was a deepwater diving vehicle used for recovering torpedoes; and Moray, a two-man deep-diving test vehicle to 

explore concepts for small fighter submarines. 

During the Vietnam conflict, China Lake conducted the Special 

Warfare Program (Swimmer) that carried out quick-response 

efforts supporting underwater demolition teams. A large array 

of specialized devices were developed at this time, including 

the actuation mine simulator for training and minesweeping. 

After the Vietnam conflict, torpedo component research 

and modification were emphasized, and studies in controls, 

structures, ballistics, and propulsion systems improved torpedo 

technology through the creation of new fabrication methods, 

head shapes, and propulsion fuels. Also during this time, China 

Lake developed two noteworthy torpedo propulsion systems: a 

pump-jet type and a hydro-turbojet type. NAWCWD continued 

work on complete torpedoes, notably the Mk 32, which was an active-homing torpedo for use against 

deep-running submarines, and the Mk 42, which was a deep-depth torpedo designed to be surface 

launched. 

NAWCWD participated in other successful torpedo projects, including the Mk 46 torpedo, which 

was a high-speed, deep-diving antisubmarine torpedo capable of starting a helical search pattern for 

multiple re-attacks if the first pass was not successful. The Mk 46 Mod 0 entered service in 1963, and 

the Mk 46 Mod 5A(SW) went to the Fleet in 1996. More than 1,000 Mk 46s remain in U.S. service 

today. [46]

Homeland Defense Projects

Coast Guard Support

NAWCWD, the Naval Base Ventura County, and the Coast 

Guard are exploring a plan to house UAVs at Point Mugu. That 

location would have operational advantages for the Coast Guard 

as it executes its Deep Water Program, a multiyear, multiphase 

effort to replace its vessels, aircraft, and technology. Not only 

would the partnership with Point Mugu provide a maritime test 

environment for the new UAVs, it would also provide expertise; 

NAWCWD has the engineering capabilities to outfit the UAVs 

with the specialized sensors and instrumentation required for the 

Coast Guard mission. In addition, the UAVs that are housed in 
 180 | Arming the Fleet

the existing hangar on the flight line would have immediate access to the operational and test areas, all 

within a secure, restricted airspace. [3]

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Detachment 

The EOD Detachment at China Lake provides emergency 

services to the flight line for ordnance on aircraft in the event 

of a mishap, accident, or bomb threat. That organization is also 

involved in force protection training and has served as cohost 

for the FBI Academy. The New York Fire Department bomb 

squad trained with the EOD group, as well as the California 

Highway Patrol. The EOD Detachment at China Lake operates 

the only thermal treatment facility for explosive hazardous waste 

permitted on the West Coast. Discussed during training were 

examples of improvised explosives and incendiaries and blast 

injury and response, as well as a case study of the Oklahoma 

City incident and the processing of bombing crime scenes. Also 

included was a field exercise in post-blast evidence recovery and device reconstruction. The EOD 

Detachment also provided support in construction and detonation of a 500-pound improvised “vehicle 

bomb” and arranged for practical training areas. [54] [76]

Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Support

The FBI’s Large-Vehicle Bomb Post-Blast Crime Scene School has often utilized the SNORT range at 

China Lake to simulate large detonations. In 2003, more than 1,000 pounds of deadly explosives were 

packed inside an empty bus and detonated at SNORT to replicate a terrorist attack, thereby creating a 

simulated crime scene. The relatively pristine range then allowed the FBI students to identify parts of 

the vehicle and the bomb after the explosion. This range offered the class experience and expertise that 

could not be taught in a large city. [54]

In addition to training personnel, the FBI uses China Lake technology for homeland defense. For 

example, shoulder-launched IR-guided MANPADS are a significant threat to the safety of commercial 

aircraft. NAWCWD proposed the Portable Resource for the Investigation of Suspected MANPADS 

(PRISM) System to identify locations where MANPADS could be launched toward aircraft. The FBI 

funded an update to the prototype to include threat launch envelopes for determining airport security 

zones for 80 airports. These zones are plotted by a flight path threat analysis simulation provided by 

the Missiles and Space Intelligence Center in Huntsville, Alabama. [54]

Underwater Hazardous Device Team (UHDT) Support

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) Detachment at Point Mugu regularly works 

with the UHDT ONE, based out of Los Angeles. UHDT ONE is composed of FBI, Los Angeles Sheriff 

Department, and Los Angeles Police Department bomb technician divers whose job it is to locate, 

designate, and dispose of underwater IEDs. UHDT ONE responds to any nonmilitary/commercial 
Special Weapons and Projects | 181

port threat occurring within the Los Angeles area. EODMU 3 

Detachment personnel at Point Mugu use remote-controlled 

robots to perform downrange work that could put that group 

in harm’s way. The detachment also uses Segways that help 

them get to potentially dangerous devices in less time and with 

less effort than if they were walking long distances wearing 

heavy bomb suits. EODMU technicians locate, identify, 

render safe, and explosively dispose of foreign and domestic 

ordnance, including conventional, chemical, biological, nuclear, 

underwater, and terrorist-type devices. [191]
 182 | Arming the Fleet

NOTE: Middle East and Falklands missions, Iran/Iraq War, Cuban Missile Crisis—Although direct combat involvement by 

United States Navy forces was either minimal or advisory, many of the weapons and systems developed and tested by China Lake and 

Point Mugu and deployed by the Fleet were used as deterrents during these conflicts.

During every major U.S. military crisis since 

World War II, RDT&E work at China Lake and 

Point Mugu has played a significant role: developing 

and testing weapons and systems that work!

Table of NAWCWD-Influenced Weapons in Conflict

AMRAAM

ASROC/VLA

Atomic Weapons

Nonnuclear Components

FAE

Fleet Ballistic Missiles

Gator

General Purpose Bombs

HARM

Harpoon, SLAM, SLAM-ER

Hellfire

JDAM

JSOW

LGBs

Maverick

Phalanx

Phoenix

Rockets

RAM

Shrike

Sidewinder

Skipper

Sparrow, SeaSparrow, ESSM

Standard Missile

Tomahawk

Walleye

Iraqi Freedom

(2003-Present)

Enduring Freedom (2001-Present)

Kosovo

(1999)

Desert Fox (1998)

Bosnian Conflict (1992-1995)

Vietnam Conflict (1956-1975)

Korean War

(1950-1953)

World War II

Desert Storm

(1941-1945)

= Active Fleet Inventory (1991)

= Used in Combat
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 183

AARGM Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided 

Missile

AEGIS Airborne Early Warning Ground 

Integration System

AESA Active Electronically Scanned Array

AFB Air Force Base

AFCS Airborne Fire Control System

AFD arm-and-fire device

AFSERS Air Force Synthetic Environment for 

Reconnaissance and Surveillance

AIAA American Institute of Aeronautics 

and Astronautics

AMRAAM Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air 

Missile

AOT advanced oxidation technology

APAM Antipersonnel/Anti-Materiel

APKWS Advanced Precision Kill Weapon 

System

ARM anti-radiation missile 

ARPA Advanced Research Projects Agency 

ARPDD automatic radar periscope detection 

and discrimination

ASG Anti-Swimmer Grenade

ASRAAM Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air 

Missile

ASROC Antisubmarine Rocket

ASW antisubmarine warfare

ATAR Antitank Aircraft Rocket

ATARS Advanced Tactical Airborne 

Reconnaissance System

ATFLIR Advanced Targeting ForwardLooking Infrared

AWL Advanced Weapons Laboratory

BAC bistatic anechoic chamber

BIT built-in test

BOAR Bombardment Aircraft Rocket 

Caltech California Institute of Technology

CBU cluster bomb unit

CEM continuous emissions monitor

CES combat environment simulation

CFC chlorofluorocarbon

CIED counter improvised explosive device

CL-20 hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane

CLPL China Lake Propulsion Laboratories

CMBRE Common Munitions Built-in-Test 

(BIT)/Reprogramming Equipment

CORPORAL Collaborative On-Line 

Reconnaissance Provider 

Operationally Responsive Attack 

Link

CRADA Cooperative Research and 

Development Agreement

CRV crew return vehicle 

CSA Commercial Service Agreement

CSSQT Combat System Ship Qualification 

Trial

CTS command transmitter system

DAMASK Direct Attack Munition Affordable 

Seeker

DARPA Defense Advanced Research Projects 

Agency

DASH Direct Attack Seeker Head

DEW directed energy weapon

DGTDS distributed ground-based threat 

detection system

DHACMD Deployable Homeland Airborne 

Cruise Missile Defense

DMLGB Dual-Mode Laser-Guided Bomb

DoD Department of Defense

DPSS Digital Precision Strike Suite

DREN Defense Research and Engineering 

Network

DRL descent rate limiter

DSLA directed sound and light array

DT-1, -2, -3, -4 Developmental Test -1, -2, -3, -4

DTRA Defense Threat Reduction Agency

EATS Extended Area Test System

ECR Electronic Combat Range

eESWA Enterprise Expeditionary Strike 

Warfare Architecture

EFI exploding foil initiator

EIPT Energetics Integrated Product Team

ENIAC Electronic Numerical Integrator and 

Calculator

EOD explosive ordnance disposal 

EODMU Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile 

Unit

EPA Educational Partnership Agreement

ESSM Evolved SeaSparrow Missile

EW electronic warfare

EWSSA Electronic Warfare Software Support 

Activity

EWTES Electronic Warfare Threat 

Environment Simulation

Acronyms
 184 | Arming the Fleet

F2M2 Forward-Firing Miniature Munition

FAA Federal Aviation Administration

FAE fuel-air explosive

FBE Fleet battle experiment

FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation

FDE forward dissemination element

FLC Federal Laboratory Consortium

FLIR forward-looking infrared

FMS foreign military sales

FSL Fire Sciences Laboratory

G2M GPS-Guided Miniature Munition

GCU guidance control unit

GHMD Global Hawk Maritime 

Demonstration

GPS Global Positioning System

GUI graphical user’s interface

HARM High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile

HAZMAT hazardous materials

HEL high-energy laser

HIVAS High-Velocity Airflow System

HMMWV High-Mobility Multipurpose 

Wheeled Vehicle

HSMST High-Speed Maneuverable Seaborne 

Target

HSW high-speed weapon

HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol

HUD heads-up display

HWIL hardware-in-the-loop

IBAR Integrated Battlespace Arena

ICAP II, III Improved Capability II, III

ICBM intercontinental ballistic missile

IED improvised explosive device

IFPDAS In-Flight Physiologic Data 

Acquisition System

IHPRPT Integrated High Payoff Rocket 

Propulsion Technology

IM insensitive munitions 

IMTTP Insensitive Munitions Technology 

Transition Program

INCANS Interference Cancellation System

INS inertial navigation system

IPT Integrated Product Team

IR infrared

ISR intelligence, surveillance, and 

reconnaissance

ITALD Improved Tactical Air-Launched 

Decoy

ITEC Interoperability Test and 

Experimentation Complex

J-UCAS Joint Unmanned Combat Air System

JABS JDAM Assault Breaching 

System [JDAM denotes Joint 

Direct Attack Munition]

JAGM Joint Air-to-Ground Missile

JANNAF Joint Army, Navy, NASA, and Air 

Force

JATO Jet-Assisted Takeoff [Team]

JCIF Joint Counter-IED Facility [IED 

denotes improvised explosive 

device]

JCTD Joint Capability Technology 

Demonstration

JDAM Joint Direct Attack Munition

JEFX06 Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise 

2006

JHMCS Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing 

System

JIEDDO Joint Improvised Explosive Device 

Defeat Organization

JMEWS Joint Multi-Effects Warhead System

JMPS Joint Mission Planning System

JNTC Joint National Training Capabilities

JPL Jet Propulsion Laboratory

JSF Joint Strike Fighter

JSOW Joint Standoff Weapon

JTCG/AS Joint Technical Coordinating Group 

on Aircraft Survivability

JTFEX Joint Fleet Exercise

JTRS Joint Tactical Radio System

LANL Los Alamos National Laboratory

LCDB Low Collateral Damage Bomb, also 

known as LOCO

LEEFI low-energy exploding foil initiator

LFT&E live fire test and evaluation 

LGB laser-guided bomb

LJDAM Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition

LOGIR Low-Cost Guided Imaging Rocket

LRO Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

M&S modeling and simulation

MAC metal augmented charge

MAD Marine Aviation Detachment

MAE UAV Medium-Altitude Endurance 

UAV [UAV denotes Unmanned 

Aerial Vehicle]

MAG-11 Marine Air Group 11

MANPADS man-portable air-defense systems

MAVUS maritimized vertical takeoff-andlanding UAV system [UAV denotes 

unmanned aerial vehicle]

MC02 Millennium Challenge 2002
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 185

MCB Marine Corps Base

MCCL Mobile Command and Control 

Laboratory

MDA Missile Defense Agency

MEMS microelectromechanical systems

MER Mars exploration rover

MESA Missile Engagement Simulation 

Arena

MGBU Miniature Guided Bomb Unit

MIDS Multifunctional Information 

Distribution System

MIRV multiple independently targetable 

reentry vehicle

MOCS Multilateration Operations Control 

System

MORPH molecular photonic material

MOTT Mobile Ordnance Training Team

MPBR Multipurpose Bomb Rack

MSL Mars Science Laboratory

MSS Military Sensor Symposia

MST Mobile Ship Target

MTI moving target indicator

MUSE Multiple Unified Simulation 

Environment

N-UCAS Navy–Unmanned Combat Air 

System

NAMTC Naval Air Missile Test Center

NAS Naval Air Station

NASA National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NATO C3 NATO Consultation, Command, 

and Control [NATO denotes North 

Atlantic Treaty Organization]

NAVAIR Naval Air Systems Command

NAVSEA Naval Sea Systems Command

NAWCAD Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft 

Division

NAWCWD Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons 

Division

NAWS Naval Air Weapons Station

NCA Navy Combat Archer

NELB Navy Energetics Leadership Board

NGJ Next-Generation Jammer

NLO nonlinear optic

NLOP nonlinear optical polymer

NMC Naval Missile Center

NMMP Navy Marine Mammal Program

NOTS Naval Ordnance Test Station

NSAWC Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center

NSW Naval Special Warfare

NSWG Naval Special Warfare Group

NTWP Naval Test Wing Pacific

NWC Naval Weapons Center

OFP Operational Flight Program

ONR Office of Naval Research

OPEVAL operational evaluation

PGM precision-guided munition

PMPT Paveway Munitions Planning Tool

PMR Pacific Missile Range

PMRF Pacific Missile Range Facility

PMTC Pacific Missile Test Center

PRISM Portable Resource for the 

Investigation of Suspected 

MANPADS [MANPADS denotes 

Man-Portable Air-Defense 

Systems]

PSN Precision Strike Navigator

PSS-SOF Precision Strike Suite–Special 

Operations Forces

RAIDER Rapid Attack Information 

Dissemination and Execution 

Relay

RAM Rolling Airframe Missile

RAMICS Rapid Airborne Mine Clearance 

System

RAPEC I, III Rocket-Assisted Personnel Ejection 

Category I, III

RAT Raven Advanced Targeting

RATTLRS Revolutionary Approach to TimeCritical Long‐Range Strike

RAYDAC Raytheon Digital Automatic 

Computer

RCS radar cross section

RDAT&E research, development, acquisition, 

test, and evaluation

RDT&E research, development, test, and 

evaluation

REAC Reeves Electronic Analog Computer

RF radio frequency

RIFs Radiographic Inspection Facilities

RIMPAC Rim of the Pacific

ROVER Remotely Operated Video Enhanced 

Receiver

RPG rocket-propelled grenade

RPTS Rapid Precision Targeting System

RRL Radar Reflectivity Laboratory

SAD safety-and-arming device

SAM surface-to-air missile
 186 | Arming the Fleet

SAR synthetic aperture radar

SDB Small-Diameter Bomb

SDREN Secret Defense Research and 

Engineering Network

SEAD suppression of enemy air defense

SECNAV Secretary of the Navy

SHARP Shared Reconnaissance Pod

SIPRNET Secure Internet Protocol Router 

Network

SLAM Standoff Land Attack Missile

SLAM-ER Standoff Land Attack Missile–

Extended Response

SLBM submarine-launched ballistic missile

SNORT Supersonic Naval Ordnance 

Research Track

SRTGT Shootable Remote Threat Ground 

Target

SSB small smart bomb

SSBR Spin-Stabilized Bombardment 

Rocket

START Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty

STG synthetic target generator

STUAS small tactical unmanned aerial 

system

STWC Strike Warfare Command Center

SunBMT Sun Biomedical Technologies

SWAT special weapons and tactics

T&E test and evaluation

TALD Tactical Air-Launched Decoy

TCS tactical control system

TDD target-detecting device 

TDM Tactical Dissemination Module

TIMS Tomahawk In-Flight Missile 

Simulator

TJR Tactical Jamming Receiver

TJS Tactical Jamming System 

TLAM-C Tomahawk Land Attack Missile/

Conventional

TLAM-N Tomahawk Land Attack Missile/

Nuclear

TNT trinitrotoluene

TPO Technical Project Office

TRUS Tilt Rotor UAV System [UAV 

denotes Unmanned Aerial Vehicle]

TSPI time, space, position information

TTNT Tactical Targeting Network 

Technology

UAS unmanned aerial system

UAV unmanned aerial vehicle

UAV-MR UAV–Medium Range [UAV denotes 

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle]

UCAS-D Unmanned Combat Air System–

Demonstration

UCAV unmanned combat aerial vehicle

UCLASS Unmanned Carrier-Launched 

Airborne Surveillance and Strike

UCSB University of California, Santa 

Barbara

UE UAV HFE Ultra Endurance Unmanned Aerial 

Vehicle Heavy Fuel Engine

UGV unmanned ground vehicle

UHDT Underwater Hazardous Device Team

USA Unmanned Systems Activity

USF Unmanned Systems Facility

USJFCOM U.S. Joint Forces Command

USV unmanned sea vehicle

UTTR Utah Test and Training Range

UxS unmanned systems

VLA Vertical Launch ASROC [ASROC 

denotes Antisubmarine Rocket]

VLAP Vietnam Laboratory Assistance 

Program

VLO very low observable

VMC visual meteorological conditions

VMR Virtual Missile Range

VPF Virtual Prototyping Facility 

VTUAV vertical takeoff unmanned aerial 

vehicle

WD Weapons Division

WDL weapon data link

WEO Weapons Engagement Office

WEPTAC Weapons and Tactics Analysis Center

WRC Warfighter Response Center

WSCI Weapons Systems Center for 

Integration

WSL Weapons Survivability Laboratory

WSSA Weapons Systems Support Activity
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 187

Note: All previously published (publicly released) material is referenced below. However, many references do not appear 

on this list since DoD personnel data (reference sources) are restricted to government agencies and their contractors. 

Government and DoD contractors. Submit reference requests to wallace.martin@navy.mil.

Other requests. Submit to NAWCWD-PAO@navy.mil.

References

[29] Rockets. The Grand Experiment at Inyokern, by Gerrard-Gough, J. D., and Christman, Albert B., pp. 2, 6, 20, 

55, 82, 86, 108, 113-114, 192-194, 196, 286-287, 296-297. Additional input on Holy Moses, Mighty Mouse, 

and Zuni was summarized from research materials of Babcock, Elizabeth.

[47] NOTSNIK Team: group interview on NOTSNIK, 15 March 1991, p. 9; Research Package #6, “The NOTS 

Project,” compiled by Code 5313, April 1975; meeting notes, R. G. S. Sewell and Mickey Strang, 27 March 

1975.

[49] Rocketeer (topics in alphabetical order). FAE/Fuzing/Gator: 23 January 1992. High-Flying Research: 

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2 December 2010.

[50] Days of Challenge, Years of Change. A Technical History of the Pacific Missile Test Center, Government 

Printing Office, 1989. Environmental Simulation: p. 164. Hydra: pp. 178-179; Lark: pp. 25, 35-36; 

Physiological Research: p. 205; Sparrow: pp. 49-52, 62, 87, 151; RAYDAC: p. 38; Regulus: pp. 53, 59-61.

[51] NAVSOC data: Naval Satellite Operations Center Fact Sheet, October 2002.

[54] Weaponeer (topics in alphabetical order). AESA Radar: 28 August 2003. CMBRE Sets: 27 September 2001. 

EOD: 16 January 2003. F-14D SHARP: 26 September 2002. HARM-U: 21 November 2001. Hellfire: 2 July 

2003 and 13 September 2001. MANPADS: 19 June 2003. RPTS: 20 July 2000 and 12 September 2002; TIMS 

Pod: 10 May 2001; VMR: 28 September 2000.

[63] Inside Defense, 12 September 2003, p. 71.

[69] Houston Chronicle, 27 March 2003.

[97] Navy Newstand, Naval Air Systems Command Weapons Division Public Affairs, 17 July 2003.

[100] Manchor, Joseph A., Aircraft Survivability, Winter 2001/2002.

[102] Sappington, Linda, Bakersfield Californian, 14 April 2003.

[107] Currents, Navy Environmental News (edited summary).

[116] IBAR Website, http://www.nawcwd.navy.mil/~IBAR/, March 2001.

[136] Point Mugu Celebrates 50 Years of T&E Excellence, Administrative Publication (AdPub) 087, September 

1996.

[141] Notable Achievements of the Naval Weapons Center, August 1990 (topics in alphabetical order). Cuban 

Missile Crisis: p. 34. Decoys/Vietnam: p. 35. EWTES: p. 17. Geothermal Energy: p. 27. Holy Moses: 

p. 34. Infrared Technology: p. 29. Shrike: p. 34. Sidewinder: p. 19. Sparrow: p. 20. SSBR: p. 27. TDS: p. 40. 

VLAP: p. 34. Zuni: p. 21.

[147] North, David M., “Special Report on China Lake Naval Weapons Center” (edited summary), Aviation Week & 

Space Technology, 20 January 1986.
 188 | Arming the Fleet

[148] WD Technology Transfer Website, http://www.nacwd.navy.mil/techtransfer/whitpaps/cfreduc.htm, 2003.

[149] WD Technology Transfer Website, http://www.nacwd.navy.mil/techtransfer/cradas/alliant.htm, 2003.

[164] First Computerized Subject Search: “Harley Tillitt and Computerized Library Searching,” IEEE Annals of the 

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[167] Rocketeer 50th Anniversary Edition, (topics in alphabetical order). “A Brief History of China Lake’s First 

50 Years,” November 1993. EATS; Weather

[170] IWV Economic Outlook Conferences (Local Community Annual Briefings) 2004-2007.

[172] Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Command Operations Report 2004-2009.

[177] WD Public Affairs News Releases 2004-2007 (topics in alphabetical order). MIDS: 24 October 2007. 

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[191] Navy News 2005-2007. EODMU: May 2007. 

[192] Research and Engineering Sciences Department Papers, April 2008.

[202] Intrepid Tiger Team, DC Military, last modified 28 June 2007, http://www.dcmilitary.com/stories/062807/

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[203] NAWCWD Website (topics in alphabetical order). Chemiluminescent Light Stick; Facilities, Final 

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[205] Jane’s Weapon Systems 1973-1974 (topics in alphabetical order). Bulldog, Condor

[206] Federation of American Scientists Website (topics in alphabetical order.) Laser Guided Bombs, Shrike, Transit

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[208] ARPDD, Defense News, last modified 17 November 2008, http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3823108

[209] ARPDD, Defense Electronics, last modified 26 November 2008, http://rfdesign.com/military_defense_

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[210] U.S. Patent 7581480

[211] Parachute Recovery System, NAWCWPNS AdPub 016, September 1992.
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 189

[212] Development and Qualification of Rocket Catapult Mk 1 Mod 0 and Mk 2 Mod 0, NOTS TP 3115, 

December 1963.

[213] Range User’s Guide, NWC AdPub 332, July 1988.

[214] Boeing Website (topics in alphabetical order). Boeing EA-18G Growler, EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack 

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[215] NAVAIR News Release, Commander’s Award: http://www.navair.navy.mil/newsreleases/index.

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view&id=4142

[216] Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2004, http://articles.latimes.com/2004/jun/11/local/me-mugu11

[217] Wikipedia (topics in alphabetical order). ASROC, Navy Marine Mammal Program, Tomahawk, Torpedo 

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[218] Foreign Military Sales (FMS), 15 November 2010, http://www.dsca.osd.mil/home/foreign_military_sales.htm

[219] NAVAIR Science and Technology Overview.

[220] Joint Capability Technology Demonstrations, March 2011, http://www.acq.osd.mil/jctd/programs.html

[221] Designation Systems Website (topics in alphabetical order). HVSR/BOMROC, RATTLRS 

[222] Global Security Website (topics in alphabetical order). AAAM, Phoenix, Rockeye, Weapons of Mass 

Destruction 

[223] Aegis Weapon Demonstration, 19 October 2005, http://www.spacewar.com/news/abm-05zf.html

[224] Bistatic Anechoic Chamber, 29 April 2009, http://www.thehowlandcompany.com/RCS-Pt-Mugu.htm

[225] Topscene, 11 March 2011, http://topscene.com/

[226] Virtual Missile Range, http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2002systems/ledin2a4.pdf

[227] Laser, July 2010, http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/ARCHIVE/2010/JULY/Pages/

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[228] Operation Popeye, 11 March 2011, http://www.kimberry.com/ARCHIVES/edwin_x_berry/ed_in_

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[229] Geothermal Energy, 4 June 2004, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-04-513

[230] HAZMAT, 11 March 2011, http://www.p2pays.org/ref/07/06062.htm

[231] SNORT, 11 March 2011, http://www.dodtechmatch.com/DOD/Lab/ViewFacility.aspx?id=70656

[232] Dolphins, 11 March 2011, http://www.angelfire.com/nj4/navydolphins/

[233] Biomimetics, 11 March 2011, http://www.uwyo.edu/
 190 | Arming the Fleet

Bibliography

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Richard J. Busse, Camarillo, California; Raymond J. Blattel, Oxnard, California; Mallory J. Boyd, Ridgecrest, California; 

Michael D. Barrett, Camarillo, California; William R. Ditzler, Ridgecrest, California; and Jason R. Allen, 

Ridgecrest, California. Portable Air Defense Ground Based Launch Detection System. 12 June 2007. 

(U.S. Patent 7 230 221.)

DoD Tech Match; accessed 16 September 2010; http://dodtechmatch.com

Global Security; accessed 16 September 2010; http://globalsecurity.org

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Technical Library; “Jane’s Online,” accessed 16 September 2010; http://

starturl.com/NAWCWDTechlib

Naval Air Systems Command; accessed 16 September 2010; http://www.navair.navy.mil

Naval Air Systems Command, News Release Number: EHD200806191; NAVAIR News Release; accessed 16 September 

2010, http://www.navair.navy.mil/press_releases/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.view&Press_release_id=3947&site_

id=6

Naval Air Systems Command; News Release Number: EHD200906251; NAVAIR News Release; accessed 16 September 

2010; http://www.navair.navy.mil/press_releases/index.cfm?fuseaction=press_release_view&press_release_

id=4142&site_id=6

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Arming the Fleet: Supporting Naval Aviation and Warfighting Requirements 

1943-2007, 2nd Ed., by Wallace Martin. China Lake, California, NAWCWD, 2008. (Publication UNCLASSIFIED.)

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Electronic Combat Range Customer Handbook. China Lake, California, 

NAWCWD, April 2003. (NAWCWD TS 03‐20, publication UNCLASSIFIED.)

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Land Ranges User’s Guide. China Lake, California, NAWCWD, 

January 1991. (NAWCWPNS TS 96-21, publication UNCLASSIFIED.)

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Command Operations Report 

2008. China Lake, California, NAWCWD, May 2008. (Publication UNCLASSIFIED.)

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Command Operations Report 

2009. China Lake, California, NAWCWD, May 2010. (Publication UNCLASSIFIED.)

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Naval Weapons Handbook, Revision 4. China Lake, California, 

NAWCWD, March 2008. (NAWCWD TP 8451, publication UNCLASSIFIED.)

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Parachute Recovery Systems. China Lake, California, NAWCWD, October 

1992. (NAWCWPNS AdPub 016, publication UNCLASSIFIED.)

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Point Mugu Celebrates 50 Years of Test and Evaluation Excellence. 

Point Mugu, California, NAWCWD, September 1986. (NAWCWPNS AdPub 087, publication UNCLASSIFIED.)

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Science and Technology Overview, by Mallory Boyd. China Lake, 

California, NAWCWD, January 2010. (Publication UNCLASSIFIED.)

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Weapons Survivability Lab. China Lake, California, NAWCWD, June 1995. 

(NAWCWPNS AdPub 005, Revision 1, publication UNCLASSIFIED.)
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 191

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Weapons That Win Wars: The Evolution of China Lake Weapons, 

Systems, and Technology, by Wallace Martin. China Lake, California, NAWCWD, April 2002. (Publication 

UNCLASSIFIED.)

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division; accessed 16 September 2010; http://www.navair.navy/mil/nawcwd/

Naval Ordnance Test Station. Development and Qualification of Rocket Catapult, Mk 1 Mod 0 and Mk 2 Mod 0, by 

Donald Strietzel and Sydney Shefler. China Lake, California, NOTS, December 1963. (NOTS TP 3115, publication 

UNCLASSIFIED.)

Naval Weapons Center. Notable Achievements of the Naval Weapons Center. China Lake, California, NWC, 

August 1990. (NWC TP 7088, publication UNCLASSIFIED.)

Navy.mil, Official Website of the United States Navy; accessed 16 September 2010; http://navy.mil

Pacific Missile Test Center. Days of Challenge Years of Change: A Technical History of the Pacific Missile Test Center. 

Point Mugu, California, PMTC, 1989. (Publication UNCLASSIFIED.)

United States Central Command; accessed 16 September 2010; http://centcom.mil

U.S. Air Force Central Command; accessed 16 September 2010; http://centaf.af.mil

United States Department of Defense; accessed 16 September 2010; http://www.defense.gov/

United States General Accounting Office. Operation Desert Storm: Evaluation of the Air Campaign. Washington, D.C., 

U.S. GAO, June 1997. (GAO/NSIAD-97-134, publication UNCLASSIFIED.)

U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program; accessed 16 September 2010; http://www.spawar.navy.mil/sandiego/technology/

mammals/index.html
 192 | Arming the Fleet

Recommended Reading List

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division

Babcock, Elizabeth. Magnificent Mavericks. Transition of the Naval Ordnance Test Station from Rocket Station to 

Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Center. Washington, D.C. Naval Historical Center and the Naval Air 

Systems Command, 2008.

Babcock, Elizabeth. Sidewinder: Invention and Early Years. Ridgecrest, California, China Lake Museum Foundation, 

1999.

Christman, Al. Target Hiroshima. Deak Parsons and the Creation of the Atomic Bomb. Annapolis, Maryland, Naval 

Institute Press, 1998.

Days of Challenge, Years of Change: A Technical History of the Pacific Missile Test Center. Washington, D.C., 

U.S. Government Printing Office, 1990.

Christman, Albert B. Sailors, Scientists, and Rockets. History of the Naval Weapons Center, Volume 1. Washington, 

D.C., Naval History Division, 1971.

Gerrard-Gough, J. D., and Christman, Albert B. The Grand Experiment at Inyokern. History of the Naval Weapons 

Center, Volume 2. Washington, D.C., Naval History Division, 1978.

Kistler, R. E., and Glen, R. M. Notable Achievements of the Naval Weapons Center. China Lake, California, Naval 

Weapons Center, 1990. (NWC TP 7088).

Legacy of the Lake. China Lake, California, Naval Weapons Center Technical Information Department, 1989. (Video 

recording.)

Lincicum, Larry. U.S. Naval Museum of Armament and Technology. China Lake, California, China Lake Museum 

Foundation.

Secret City: A History of the Navy at China Lake. China Lake, California, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division 

Technical Information Department, 1993. (Video recording.)

Westrum, R. Sidewinder: Creative Missile Development at China Lake. Annapolis, Maryland, Naval Institute Press, 

1999.

White, M. An Interpretive History of the Pacific Missile Test Center. The Genesis: Road to Point Mugu, 1936 to 1946.

Point Mugu, California, Pacific Missile Test Center, 1991.
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 193

Acknowledgments

This publication is dedicated to all present and past China Lake and Point Mugu employees, whose 

hard work, dedication, and innovation, have helped shape our military, protect our families, save our 

warfighters, and ensure our freedoms. 

Arming the Fleet 

Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage

1943-2011

By

Wallace T. Martin

Arming the Fleet Third Edition Acknowledgment

Ruth E. Hogan, W&A Implementation Program Manager, NAWCWD China Lake for believing in 

our vision and providing this opportunity to showcase the outstanding technical work conducted at 

China Lake and Point Mugu over the decades.

Bart Hine, Standard Missile Technical Project Office, China Lake, for providing the contributing 

authors with much needed information.

Technical Communication Office (TCO) 

Contributing Authors

•	 Jay I. McConnell, Technical Writer/Editor 

•	 Mike Giroux, Technical Information Specialist 

Amy Wyatt, for her excellent work indexing and formatting all three editions of Arming the Fleet.

Shaleen Lambert, for helping manage this Third Edition and for providing leadership.

Tina Jackson, for her dedication and attention to detail in providing graphics, formatting the layout, 

and bringing the words to life in pictorial form.

Vicki Peludat, for her dedication and attention to detail in editing the Third Edition, a very complex 

publication.

Arming the Fleet Second Edition 2008 Acknowledgment

Research and Engineering. Technical review and comment: Brad Harlow and Dr. Robin Nissan.

NAWCWD Public Affairs Office Support. Review/final edit: Susan Read.

Technical Communication Office. Extensive indexing: Amy Wyatt.

Applications Migration Team. ATF web adaptation and design: Steve Bollenbaugh. 
 194 | Arming the Fleet

Arming the Fleet First Edition 2004 Acknowledgment

Weapons Division Personnel: More than 100 subject matter experts from both Point Mugu and 

China Lake ensured that their specific topics were technically accurate and suitable for public release. 

Program managers, project leads, and directors; competency managers; naval officers; former technical 

directors, four Senior Executive Service (SES) leaders; and three NAVAIR admirals provided valuable 

input for hundreds of topics and thousands of indexed entries. 

Ken Bailey for initial support, review, and comment; Scott O’Neil for recommending more than 

100 topics and stories. Al Vines, Ted Kinghorn, and Debby Clark from Point Mugu for review, 

comment, and research assistance. 

Maxwell White. Research materials: “An Interpretive History of the Pacific Missile Test Center,” 

published in July 1991; “Datelines. A History of Navy Missile Testing at Point Mugu, California,” 

published in December 1991; “Point Mugu Celebrates 50 years of Test and Evaluation Excellence,” 

published in September 1996; and many point papers.

Leroy Doig. Research materials: “A Brief History of China Lake’s First 50 Years,” published in 

The Rocketeer 50th Anniversary Edition, November 1993; “Accomplishments of the Naval Weapons 

Center” (40 articles), published in December 1982; and his Web site, “China Lake Weapons Digest.” 

Jack Latimer. Provided reports, briefings, and other research materials.

NAWCWD Technical Library support: Sandy Bradley, Barbara Lupei, and Dana Opperman.

Robin Daly. Provided extensive research assistance and prepared the reading list and bibliography. 

Public Affairs Office support: Point Mugu research materials: Phillis Thrower, and MaryAnn 

Freeman. Weaponeer article research: Desiree Jones and Helen Huntley. Magazine article research, 

review, and comment: Doris Lance. Final editing: Kathi Spearow. 

Technical Information Department (TID) support: computer graphics, composition, copy-editing, 

technical line drawings, montages, extensive indexing, and photo research. ATF digital video clip 

producer for ATF Highlights and ATF classes: Jeff Morgan. 

Arming the Fleet Products Available. Wallace Martin conceived, produced, and is the lead writer 

and researcher for Arming the Fleet, familiarly known as ATF, a project that began more than a 

decade ago, and sponsored by the NAWCWD Business Development Office. Initial research began 

in 2001, culminating in the first edition in 2004, followed by the second edition in 2008, and the 

third edition in 2011. The ongoing ATF product line includes the larger publication, a shorter Arming 

the Fleet Highlights, and a one-page NAWCWD Quick Facts. All three ATF products are available 

on-line and can be downloaded at http://www.navair.navy.mil/nawcwd/nawcwd/about/arming_the_fleet.html
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 195

Index

Symbols

1st Air Force, 123

2nd Fleet, 121

3rd Fleet, 132, 133

7th Fleet, 63

A

A-3, 110, 136

A-4, 49, 65, 140

A-6, 14, 45, 49, 90

A-7, 49

A-10, 34

AAM-N-2, 40

AARGM, 53, 54, 75, 76

Active Electronically Scanned Array. See AESA

Active Optical Fuze, 88

Active Protect Payload, 100

Actuated Cable Cutters, 155

Advanced Air-to-Air Missile, 39

Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile. See AARGM

Advanced Common Intercept Missile Demonstration, 39

Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile. 

See AMRAAM

Advanced Oxidation Technologies. See AOTs

Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System. See APKWS

Advanced Research Projects Agency. See ARPA

Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile. See ASRAAM

Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System. 

See ATARS

Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared. 

See ATFLIR

Advanced Weapons Laboratory. See AWL

AeroLite, 100

Aerosky, 100

Aerosonde, 100

Aerostar, 101

AeroVironment, Inc., 112

AESA, 18, 75, 78, 92, 117, 125

AFCS, 67, 106

Afghanistan, 18, 29, 32, 34, 79, 84, 117, 119, 137

AFH-14, 126

Agile, 39, 56

AGM-12, 46

AGM-45, 53

AGM-53, 46

AGM-62, 41, 54

AGM-65, 46, 49, 51

AGM-65D, 54

AGM-65E, 49

AGM-65E2, 50

AGM-65F, 49

AGM-78, 68

AGM-83, 46

AGM-84D, 54

AGM-84E, 54

AGM-84H/K, 55

AGM-88, 53

AGM-88A, 53, 54

AGM-88B, 53, 54

AGM-88C, 53, 54

AGM-88E, 53

AGM-114, 47, 97

AGM-114B, 47

AGM-114C, 47

AGM-114F, 47

AGM-114K, 47

AGM-114L, 47

AGM-114M, 47

AGM-114N, 4, 47

AGM-114P, 97

AGM-114R, 47, 48

AGM-123, 45

AGM-154C-1, 49

AGM/RGM/UGM-84, 60

AH-1, 74

AH-1F, 121

AH-1W, 117

AH-1W/Z, 118

AH-1Z, 74, 117

AIAA, 7, 9

AIM-7, 38, 40, 126

AIM-7C, 40

AIM-7F, 66

AIM-7M, 66, 126

AIM-9, 5, 39, 74

AIM-9B, 39

AIM-9C, 39

AIM-9D, 130

AIM-9L, 39

AIM-9M, 39, 40, 126, 130

AIM-9X, 39, 40, 56, 74, 80, 116, 117, 126, 150

AIM-54, 38

AIM-54A, 38

AIM-54C, 38

AIM-120, 38, 92

AIM-120A, 126

AIM-120D, 38

AIM/RIM-7M, 66

AIM/RIM-7P, 66

Airborne Fire Control System. See AFCS

Aircraft Division, 1, 103

Aircrew Physiological Studies, 140

Aircrew Safety, 85

Air Force, 4, 7, 8, 9, 16, 20, 21, 28, 33, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 

45, 46, 49, 53, 54, 58, 60, 68, 75, 76, 88, 101, 106, 
 196 | Arming the Fleet

108, 111, 112, 116, 117, 125, 126, 132, 134, 142, 

143, 146, 150, 152, 160, 176

Airport Lake, 20

Air Projects, 176

Air Range, 125

Airspace Surveillance Center, 119

Albuquerque, 6

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 6

ALE-50, 16

ALQ-67, 15

ALQ-99, 16, 92

ALQ-126, 15

ALQ-218, 90, 91, 92

ALQ-227, 92

al-Qaeda, 34, 45

Alvaro de Bazan, 123

Amber, 100

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. 

See AIAA

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, 168

Ames Wind Tunnel Facility, 174

AMRAAM, 28, 38, 76, 92, 116, 117, 126, 150, 182

AN/AAR-50, 78

AN/ALQ-99F(V), 91

AN/ALQ-218(V), 90, 91

AN/ASQ-173, 78

Andrews, Rear Admiral C. C., 36

AN/SPY-1, 122

Antipersonnel/Anti-Materiel. See APAM

Antipersonnel Obstacle Breaching System, 104

Anti-Radiation Missile. See ARM

Antisubmarine Rocket. See ASROC

Antisubmarine Warfare. See ASW

Anti-Swimmer Grenade. See ASG

Antitank Aircraft Rocket. See ATAR

AOTs, 141

A/P22P-20, 85

A/P22P-21, 85

Apache, 34

APAM, 41

APG-79, 78, 92, 117

APKWS, 51

Applied Physics Laboratory, 175

AQM-37, 100

AQM-37C, 122

Arizona, 112, 134

ARM, 4, 13, 39, 53, 54, 116

Armitage Field, 168, 176

Army, 8, 20, 21, 28, 39, 42, 47, 48, 50, 51, 57, 67, 79, 97, 

103, 110, 111, 112, 125, 132, 142, 143, 160, 161, 

173

Army Artillery Schoolhouse, 79

Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and 

Engineering Center, 48

Army Corps of Engineers, 69

ARPA, 176

ARPDD, 4, 81, 82

ASG, 164, 177

ASRAAM, 75

ASROC, 55, 56, 122, 178, 182

ASW, 55, 56

ATAR, 13, 52

ATARS, 15

ATFLIR, 78, 79, 117, 118, 146

ATK, 112

Auburn University, 112

Australia, 9, 20, 119

Automatic Radar Periscope Detection and Discrimination. 

See ARPDD

Automotive Air Bags, 162

AV-8B, 44, 74, 76, 117, 118

Aviation Help Desk, 17

Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer, 157

Award for Technology Transfer Excellence, 156

AWL, 9, 15, 26, 75, 76, 80, 83, 93

B

B-29, 12, 69, 70

B-52, 159, 174

Baghdad, 18, 62, 81

Benson, Arizona, 152

BGM-109, 62

bin Laden, Osama, 97

Biofuel, 26, 166, 167

Biology, 140

Biomaterial, 166

Biomimetics, 140

Black Dart, 99

Bloodhounds, 116, 117

BLU-73/B, 41

BLU-95, 41, 42

BLU-96, 41

BLU-96/B, 42

BLU-110, 43

BLU-111, 43

BLU-116A/B, 45

BLU-116/B, 4

BLU-117, 43

BLU-126A/B, 44

BLU-126/B, 43

BOAR, 52

Boeing, 97, 102, 112, 143

Bold Quest, 84

Bombardment Aircraft Rocket. See BOAR

Bomb Mission Planning Tool, 146

Bomb Racks and Missile Launchers, 74
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 197

Bosnian Conflict, 15, 16, 158, 182

BQM-34, 100

BQM-34S, 122

BQM-74, 100, 122, 123, 126

BQM-74C, 96

BQM-74E, 122, 123

BQM-126, 100

BQM-145, 100

Briteye, 41

Brown, John Nicholas, 114

BRU-33, 74

BRU-41, 74

BRU-42, 74

BRU-55, 74

BRU-69/A, 74

BRU-70/A, 76

Bulldog, 46

Bullpup, 7, 46

Bumblebee, 63, 67

Bureau of Land Management, 159

Bureau of Ordnance, 57, 172, 178

Bush, President George H. W., 156

C

C-130, 18

C-131, 125

Calcification-Prevention Tablets, 156

Caleb, 7

California, 1, 5, 21, 22, 69, 155, 176, 180

California Energy Company, Inc., 159

California Institute of Technology. See Caltech

California State University Channel Islands, 164

California State University Northridge, 164

Caltech, 5, 12, 13, 69

Camp Pendleton, 168

Canada, 20, 119

Carderock, 111

Carrier Deck Firefighting Test Facility (Mini Deck), 27

Cast Ductile Iron Practice Bomb, 43

Cast Glance, 110

CBU-55A/B, 41

CBU-55/B, 41, 42

CBU-59, 41

CBU-72/B, 41, 42

CBU-78/B, 41, 42

CBU-89, 42

CEM, 157

Central Command, 18, 79, 81

Cerro Coso Community College, 164

CES, 133

Chandrayaan-1, 175

Chaparral, 39

Chemical/Biological Agent Defeat Program, 141

Chemiluminescent Light Stick, 4, 156

Chemistry, 141

Chemistry Laboratories, 26

Cherry Point, 1

Chevron, 157

ChevronTexaco, 157

Chief of Naval Operations, 170

China Lake, ii, 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 

18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 

35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 

50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 

63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 78, 79, 80, 81, 

82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, 96, 98, 99, 100, 101, 

105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 114, 116, 117, 118, 119, 

120, 121, 126, 130, 132, 133, 134, 135, 138, 140, 

141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 151, 

152, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 

166, 167, 168, 169, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 

178, 179, 180, 182

China Lake Propulsion Laboratories. See CLPL

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Elimination for Soldering

and Fire-Suppression Applications, 156

CL-20, 26, 149, 150

Clean-Power Generator, 141

CLPL, 28, 55

CMBRE, 133

Coast Guard, 8, 109, 179

Cobalt Technologies, Inc., 167

Cobra, 65, 117, 118, 121

Cognitech, 148

Cold War, 39

Collaborative On-Line Reconnaissance Provider 

Operationally Responsive Attack Link. 

See CORPORAL

Comarco, Inc., 160

Combat Archer Program, 38

Combat Environment Simulation. See CES

Combat System Ship Qualification Trial. See CSSQT

Command and Control, 27, 48, 61, 83, 99, 101, 103, 107, 

108, 110, 135

Commander’s Award, 82

Commercial Service Agreement. See CSA

Common Munitions Built-in-Test (BIT)/Reprogramming 

Equipment. See CMBRE

Communication Systems, 83

Compact Low-Cost Thrust Vector Control Program, 56

Computer Technology, 146

Condor, 46, 47

Congressional Record Acknowledgment, 93

Continuous Emissions Monitor. See CEM

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. 

See CRADA
 198 | Arming the Fleet

Corona, 6, 68

CORPORAL, 100, 101

Corrosion Prevention, 142

Coso Geothermal Power Plant, 166, 167

Coso Geothermal Project, 159

Coso Military Target Range, 133

Coyote Supersonic Sea-Skimming Target, 122

CRADA, 51, 104, 112, 149, 157, 160, 163, 164, 167, 177

Crane, Indiana, 151

Crew Return Vehicle. See CRV

CRV, 174

CSA, 164

CSSQT, 122, 123, 125

Cuban Missile Crisis, 13, 53, 182

Cultural Stewardship, 22

D

Dahlgren, 111, 121, 151

Dakota, 100

DAMASK, 44, 45

Dam Neck, 111

DARPA, 140, 143

DASH, 152

David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award, 82, 93

DC-130A, 117

Deep Jeep, 4, 179

Deep Water Program, 109, 179

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. See DARPA

Defense Imagery and Geospatial Office, 119

Defense Research and Engineering Network. See DREN

Defense Suppression Systems Office, 47, 49

Defense Threat Reduction Agency. See DTRA

Deneye, 41, 42

Department of Defense. See DoD

Department of Homeland Security, 8, 82, 111, 120, 131

Deployable Homeland Airborne Cruise Missile Defense. 

See DHACMD

DEW, 148

DGTDS, 4, 82

DHACMD, 123

Diamondoids, 157

Digital Improved Triple Ejection Rack, 76

Digital Precision Strike Suite. See DPSS

Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation System, 62

Direct Attack Munition Affordable Seeker. See DAMASK

Direct Attack Seeker Head. See DASH

Directed Energy Weapon. See DEW

Distributed Common Ground Station, 120

Distributed Ground-Based Threat Detection System. 

See DGTDS

DMLGB, 46, 76

DoD, 2, 8, 9, 20, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 70, 98, 101, 103, 106, 

108, 109, 110, 112, 117, 131, 134, 135, 155, 156, 

160, 161, 163, 164, 166, 168, 174

Dolphins, 177, 178

DPSS, 18, 79, 94, 164

Dragon Eye, 100

DreamHammer, Inc., 112

DREN, 28, 107, 110

Dr. William B. McLean Laboratory, 26, 27

DSU-10, 68, 88

DSU-19, 88

DTRA, 141

Dual-Mode Laser-Guided Bomb. See DMLGB

Dual Polarized Broadband Tapered Slot Antenna, 157

Dudley, Dr. William S., 10

Dust Devils, 117

Dyna-Soar, 176

E

E-2C, 85

EA-6B, 15, 16, 21, 74, 80, 83, 90, 91, 92, 93, 116, 118

EA-18G, 21, 38, 74, 91, 92, 93, 117, 118

Early Computer Technology, 147

East Coast Training Complex, 134

EATS, 123, 124

ECR, 8, 18, 27, 106, 119, 130, 131, 133

Educational Partnership Agreement. See EPA

Edward Heinemann Award, 18

Edwards AFB, 7, 21, 112, 117, 126, 174

eESWA, 119, 120

Eisenhower Administration, 57

El Centro, California, 6

Electrical Initiation System, 157

Electrical Timer Fuze, 88

Electronic Bomb Fuze, 88

Electronic Combat Range. See ECR

Electronics, 148

Electronic Warfare. See EW

Electronic Warfare Software Support Activity. 

See EWSSA

Electronic Warfare Threat Environment Simulation. 

See EWTES

Elsie, 71

Empire Challenge, 119, 154

Endangered Species, 21

Energetics, 149

Energy Initiatives, 168

Energy Strategy, 165, 166, 168

England, 119

England, Honorable Gordon, 128

Enhanced Laser Maverick, 50

Eniwetok, 125

Enterprise Expeditionary Strike Warfare Architecture. 

See eESWA

Environmentally Friendly Mixture of Trinitrotoluene, 158
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 199

Environmental Simulation Facilities, 134

Environmental Stewardship, 21

EOD, 104, 180

EODMU, 180, 181

EP-3A, 123

EPA, 164

ESSM, 9, 28, 40, 56, 66, 164, 182

Evolved SeaSparrow Missile. See ESSM

EW, 1, 14, 18, 21, 27, 29, 74, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 109, 111, 

117, 125, 131, 133

EWSSA, 91, 92

EWTES, 14

Exdrone, 100

Exploding Foil Initiator (EFI) Based Squib Arm-and-Fire 

Device (AFD), 158

Explosive Forming and Welding, 158

Explosive Ordnance Disposal. See EOD

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit. See EODMU

Extended Area Test System. See EATS

Extended-Range Multipurpose Program, 103

“Eye” Series, 41

F

F2M2, 98, 99

F-4, 96, 140

F-14, 5, 35, 39, 117, 140

F-14A/B/D, 17, 116

F-14B, 44

F-14D, 17

F-14 Tomcat System Integration Test Station, 5

F-18A/B, 116

F-22, 8, 20, 38, 74, 76, 116, 125, 126

F-35, 8, 74, 75, 76, 126

F-86, 65

F/A-18, 9, 16, 18, 24, 26, 34, 63, 65, 74, 75, 76, 78, 80, 

83, 84, 94, 117, 125, 126, 130, 131, 135, 136, 138

F/A-18A, 74, 117, 118

F/A-18A-F, 117

F/A-18C/D, 78

F/A-18C/D/E/F, 44

F/A-18D, 74, 80

F/A-18E, 18, 74, 75, 78, 117

F/A-18E/F, 18, 74, 75, 78, 83, 117, 118

F/A-18F, 75, 84, 92

F/A-22, 117, 125

FAA, 20, 97, 98, 105, 112, 155

FAE, 41, 42, 48, 182

Falcon Prowl, 100

Fallon, 138

Fallon, Nevada, 6, 134, 138

Fallujah, 18, 94

Fast Cookoff Testing, 120

Fat Man, 7, 69, 70

FBI, 16, 111, 180

Federal Aviation Administration. See FAA

Federal Bureau of Investigation. See FBI

Federal Laboratory Consortium. See FLC

Fire Sciences Laboratory. See FSL

Fire Scout, 4, 97, 99, 100, 101, 127, 153

Fireye, 41

Flash Site UxS Facilities, 106

FLC, 155, 156, 157

Fleet Ballistic Missiles, 57, 182

FMU-139C/B, 88

FMU-143, 88

FMU-143E/B, 88

FMU-164, 88

Fort Bliss, 112

Fort Huachuca, 112

Fort Irwin, 21, 112

Fort Sill, 79

Forward-Firing Miniature Munition. See F2M2

FSL, 27

Fuel-Air Explosive. See FAE

Full-Spectrum Ballistic Eye Protection, 142

Fuze Development, 87

Fuze Test Facility, 28

G

G2M, 99

Gallegly, Honorable Elton, 93

Gargoyle, 5

Gator, 41, 42, 182

GBU-10, 45

GBU-12, 45, 97

GBU-16, 45

GBU-24, 45

GBU-24E/B, 46

GBU-24G/B, 45

GBU-32, 99, 118

GBU-38, 45, 94

GBU-39, 97

GBU-49, 105

GE Aviation Systems, 112

Gemini, 172

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., 112

General Dynamics, 65, 161

General Purpose Bombs, 42, 182

Geophysical Warfare, 158

Georgia Institute of Technology, 143

Geothermal Energy, 155, 159, 167

German Navy, 65

Germany, 20

Gladeye, 41

Global Hawk, 97, 100, 105, 106, 120

Global Observer, 100
 200 | Arming the Fleet

Global Positioning System. See GPS

Gorgon, 5

Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation, 22

GPS, 4, 18, 44, 54, 60, 63, 80, 83, 90, 97, 105, 109, 116, 

124, 133, 176

GPS-Guided Miniature Munition. See G2M

GQM-163A, 122

Great Britain, 20, 119

Griffin, 105

Ground Mobile Gateway, 18, 84

Growler, 92, 117, 118

Gulf of Sidra, 60

Gulf War, 42, 46, 62

H

H-1, 74

Hanscom AFB, 84

Hardware-in-the-Loop. See HWIL

HARM, 9, 15, 16, 33, 53, 54, 88, 91, 92, 116, 130, 131, 

151, 182

HARM University, 54

Harpoon, 6, 7, 54, 60, 61, 122, 182

Harrier, 117, 118

Hawaii, 68, 124, 125

Hazardous Materials. See HAZMAT

HAZMAT, 159, 160

HAZMAT Containers, 159

Heads-Up Display. See HUD

Health Monitoring System for Warfighters, 160

Hellfire, 4, 47, 48, 97, 99, 105, 106, 118, 182

Hercules, 117

HH-1N, 117

High-Altitude Life Support System, 85

High Energy Computed Tomography, 32

High-Flying Research, 176

High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile. See HARM

High-Speed Maneuverable Seaborne Target. See HSMST

High-Speed Weapon. See HSW

High Target Utilization System, 26

High-Temperature Composites, 143

High-Velocity Airflow System. See HIVAS

HIVAS, 87, 174

HMLA-367, 15

Ho Chi Minh Trail, 158, 159

Holloman AFB, 58, 112

Holy Moses, 12, 50

Homeland Defense Projects, 179

Homeland Defense Response Team, 8

Hornet, 18, 78, 83, 92, 116, 117, 118, 136

Horn of Africa, 117

HSMST, 100, 111

HSW, 152

HUD, 80, 82, 136

Huey, 117

Human Systems Department, 85

Hunter, 100, 103

Huntsville, Alabama, 180

HWIL, 28, 130, 135, 137

HWIL Facility, 28, 137

Hydra, 99, 124

I

IBAR, 28, 29, 106, 108, 112, 120, 130, 132, 134, 135

ICBM, 57, 116, 176

IHPRPT, 150, 174

IM, 28, 43, 44, 55, 60, 140, 150, 153, 160

Improved Combustion in Thermobaric Explosive 

Formulations, 149

Improved Soldering Technology, 160

Improved Tactical Air-Launched Decoy. See ITALD

IMTTP, 150

INCANS, 92

Increased Capabilities Against Moving and Stationary 

Targets, 152

Indian Head, Maryland, 161

Indian Space Research Organization, 175

Infrared. See IR

Injection Loading of Energetic Materials, 160

Insensitive Munitions. See IM

Insensitive Munitions Facilities, 28

Insensitive Munitions Technology Transition Program. 

See IMTTP

In-Service Engineering Laboratory, 28

Insitu, Incorporated, 112

Integrated Battlespace Arena. See IBAR

Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion

Technology. See IHPRPT

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. See ICBM

Interference Cancellation System. See INCANS

International Services, 9

International Space Station, 26

Interoperability Test and 

Experimentation Complex. See ITEC

Intrepid Tiger Pod Team, 18

IPT of the Year Award, 93

IR, 4, 14, 20, 32, 49, 54, 61, 65, 66, 68, 78, 82, 96, 102, 

103, 111, 126, 145, 152, 153, 154, 176, 180

Iran, 182

Iraq, 15, 18, 29, 32, 42, 49, 62, 79, 81, 84, 117, 119, 137, 

182

iRobot Corporation, 104, 105, 112

Iron Nail III, 101

ITALD, 99, 117

Italy, 15, 16, 20

ITEC, 29, 130, 132, 137
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 201

J

JABS, 45

JAGM, 48, 76

JANNAF, 9

Japan, 20, 69, 70

Japanese, 9, 82, 125

JCIF, 29

JCTD, 52, 100, 101

JDAM, 16, 17, 44, 45, 60, 75, 76, 83, 84, 85, 88, 94, 97, 

105, 118, 146, 182

JDAM Assault Breaching System. See JABS

JEFX06, 84, 120, 131

Jet Propulsion Laboratory. See JPL

JHMCS, 80

JIEDDO, 29

JMEWS, 61

JMPS, 136, 137

Johns Hopkins University, 175

Joint Air-to-Ground Missile. See JAGM

Joint Army, Navy, NASA, and Air Force. See JANNAF

Joint Capability Technology Demonstration. See JCTD

Joint Combined Interoperability Evaluation Team, 83

Joint Common Missile, 48

Joint Counter-IED Facility. See JCIF

Joint Direct Attack Munition. See JDAM

Joint Electronic Warfare Effects Laboratory, 18

Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise 2006. See JEFX06

Joint Fleet Exercise. See JTFEX

Joint Fleet Training, 131

Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System. See JHMCS

Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization. 

See JIEDDO

Joint Mission Planning System. See JMPS

Joint Multi-Effects Warhead System. See JMEWS

Joint Service Imager Processing System, 120

Joint Services, 6, 8, 20

Joint Standoff Weapon. See JSOW

Joint Strike Fighter. See JSF

Joint Tactical Radio System. See JTRS

Joint Technical Coordinating Group on Aircraft 

Survivability. See JTCG/AS

Joint Unmanned Combat Air System. See J-UCAS

JPL, 173, 174

JSF, 20, 74, 75, 76, 85

JSOW, 15, 16, 49, 76, 83, 133, 182

JTCG/AS, 150, 151

JTFEX, 18, 131

JTRS, 84

J-UCAS, 100, 101, 102, 105

Junction Ranch, 30

Jupiter, 172

Jupiter (missile), 57

K

Kaman Aerospace, 177

Kauai, Hawaii, 68

KC-130, 117

KD-2R5, 100

Kennedy, President John F., ii, iv

Kenneth I. Lichti Range Operations Center, 30

Kodiak, Alaska, 124

Korea, 13, 75

Korean War, 13, 52, 182

Kosovo, 15, 16, 29, 45, 182

L

Laboratory for Physical Science, 143

Laguna Peak Complex, 30

Lake Glendora, 177

Land Ranges, 8, 9, 16, 20, 21, 23, 24, 38, 65, 66, 96, 105, 

106, 109, 112, 118, 126, 130, 132, 133, 148

Langley AFB, 126

LANL, 144, 161

Large-Vehicle Bomb Post-Blast Crime Scene School, 180

Lark, 4, 5, 64

Laser Avenger, 148

Laser-Guided Bomb. See LGB

Laser-Guided Training Round, 46

Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition. See LJDAM

Lauritsen Laboratory, 31

Lawrence Livermore Radiation Laboratory, 124

LC-130F, 116

LCDB, 4, 17, 43, 44

Lead-Free Electric Primer, 161

Lee, Captain Dan, 94

LEEFI, 158

Lemoore, 130, 131

Level Set Geo-Registration Image Enhancement, 148

LGB, 17, 45, 46, 76, 146

Libya, 54

Lichti, K. I., 10

Link-4A, 110

Link-11, 110

Link-16, 18, 29, 110, 135

Liquid Bipropellant, 143

LITENING, 76, 80, 118

Little Boy, 69, 70

Little Joe, 5

LJDAM, 44, 45, 76

Local Project 612, 13

Lockheed Martin Corporation, 112

Logarithmic Amplifiers, 161

LOGIR, 4, 51, 52

Longbow Hellfire, 47

Long Jump, 176, 177
 202 | Arming the Fleet

Los Alamos National Laboratory. See LANL

Los Alamos, New Mexico, 70

Los Angeles, 5, 82, 112, 174, 178, 180, 181

Los Angeles Police Department, 180

Los Angeles Sheriff Department, 180

Low Collateral Damage Bomb. See LCDB

Low-Cost Guided Imaging Rocket. See LOGIR

Low-Energy Exploding Foil Initiator. See LEEFI

LRO, 175

Luke AFB, 112

Lumera Corporation, 143

Lunar Lander, 4

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. See LRO

Lunar Support, 173

M

MA-31, 100

MAC, 4, 17, 47, 48

MAD, 118

Manhattan Project, 69

MANPADS, 34, 82, 164, 180

Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems. See MANPADS

Marine Aviation Detachment. See MAD

Marine Corps, 1, 8, 15, 17, 27, 41, 42, 46, 47, 49, 51, 54, 

75, 76, 79, 85, 90, 93, 102, 111, 112, 118, 131, 133, 

134, 168

Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award, 93

Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, 112

Marines, 1, 14, 41, 103, 118, 125

Maritimized Vertical Takeoff-and-landing UAV System. 

See MAVUS

Mars Exploration Rover. See MER

Mars Lander, 4, 7, 174

Mars Mission Support, 173

Mars Science Laboratory. See MSL

Maryland, 105, 121, 132, 144, 151, 161

Massachusetts, 112

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 112

Massive Ordnance Penetrator, 33

Maverick, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 54, 135, 182

MAVUS, 99, 100

Mayo Clinic, 161

MBDA Inc., 51, 112

MCCL, 107

McDonnell Douglas, 60

McLean, Dr. William B., 13, 39, 78

MDA, 111, 116, 124, 176

Medford, Massachusetts, 112

Medium-Altitude Endurance UAV, 100

Medusa, 52

MEMS, 68, 99, 102, 148, 149

MER, 173

Meritorious Unit Commendation, 18

MESA, 31, 135

Metal Augmentation Charge. See MAC

Metamaterials, 99, 102, 154

MGBU, 98, 99

MH-60R, 82

MH-60S, 52

Michelson Laboratory, 26, 31, 147, 168

Micro Air Vehicle, 100

Microelectromechanical Systems. See MEMS

Microwave Attitude Reference System, 86

MIDS, 83, 84, 90

Mighty Mouse, 5, 51

Millennium Challenge, 130, 132

Miniature Guided Bomb Unit. See MGBU

Mini-Quadeye, 80

Mini-RF, 175

Miramar, California, 126

MIRV, 57

Missile Airframe Technology, 153

Missile All-Up-Round Simulator, 137

Missile Defense Agency. See MDA

Missile Engagement Simulation Arena. See MESA

Missile Engagement Threat Simulator, 34

Missiles and Space Intelligence Center, 180

Missile Sciences Committee, 9

MK3A2, 177

Mk 5, 68

Mk 7, 42, 104

Mk 8, 46, 71

Mk 12, 41

Mk 20, 41

Mk 32, 179

Mk 41, 56

Mk 42, 179

Mk 45, 67, 68

Mk 46, 56, 122, 179

Mk 50, 56

Mk 54, 68

Mk 66, 51

Mk 70, 121

Mk 71, 51

Mk 76, 70

Mk 80, 4, 42, 43, 44

Mk 81, 42, 152

Mk 82, 42, 44, 152

Mk 83, 41, 42, 44

Mk 84, 41, 42, 44, 45

Mk IV, 7, 176

Mobile Command and Control Laboratory. See MCCL

Mobile Ordnance Training Team. See MOTT

Mobile Ship Target. See MST

MOCS, 123, 124
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 203

Modeling and Simulation. See M&S

Mojave Desert, 5

Molecular Photonic Material. See MORPH

Moon, 172, 173, 175

Moon Lander, 173

Moray, 179

MORPH, 143

Morris Dam, 178

MOTT, 133

Mountaintop Laboratory, 176, 177

MQ-1, 97, 100, 106

MQ-8, 153

MQ-8B, 100, 101, 127

MQ-9, 44, 97, 100, 105

M&S, 27, 35, 48, 102, 108, 130, 131, 135

MSL, 174

MST, 60, 100, 111

Multifunctional Information Distribution System. 

See MIDS

Multilateration Operations Control System. See MOCS

Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle. 

See MIRV

Multipurpose Bomb Rack, 74

N

NAMTC, 5, 64, 128

Nanoplasmonics, 99, 102, 154

Nanoscale Metal Powders and Reactive Composites, 144

NAS, 6, 112, 117, 126, 127, 134, 138

NASA, 3, 7, 58, 85, 116, 124, 125, 140, 142, 150, 172, 

173, 174, 175, 176

NAS Fallon, 112, 134, 138

NAS Lemoore, 112

NAS Miramar, 126

NAS North Island, 112, 117

NAS Patuxent River, 127

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 

See NASA

National and International Forums, 9

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, 119

National NAVAIR Commander’s Award, 93

National Parachute Test Range, 6, 85, 116

National Reconnaissance Office, 119

National Registered Historic Landmark, 22

NATO, 9, 15, 66, 119, 137, 140

Natural Pumice, 161

NAVAIR, 1, 6, 8, 17, 18, 47, 49, 100, 142, 146, 151, 154

Naval Air Missile Test Center. See NAMTC

Naval Air Station. See NAS

Naval Air Systems Command. See NAVAIR

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. 

See NAWCAD

Naval Air Weapons Station. See NAWS

Naval Aviation Enterprise, 17

Naval Aviation Weapons Distance Support Center, 17

Naval Base Ventura County, 7, 109, 179

Naval Missile Center. See NMC

Naval Ordnance Laboratory, 6, 68

Naval Ordnance Test Station. See NOTS

Naval Postgraduate School, 112

Naval Research Laboratory, 18, 143

Naval Ship Weapon Systems Engineering Station, 112

Naval Special Warfare. See NSW

Naval Special Warfare Group. See NSWG

Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center. See NSAWC

Naval Surface Warfare Center, 121, 151, 177

Naval Test Parachute Team, 85

Naval Test Wing Pacific. See NTWP

Naval Undersea Warfare Center, 82, 111, 177

Naval Warfare Systems Command, 112, 154

Naval Weapons Center. See NWC

NAVSEA, 6, 68, 151

Navy, 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 14, 21, 26, 27, 28, 32, 33, 34, 36, 

38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 

53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 67, 

70, 71, 74, 75, 76, 78, 81, 82, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, 

92, 96, 97, 98, 101, 102, 103, 106, 108, 109, 111, 

112, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 123, 125, 128, 130, 

131, 132, 133, 134, 140, 142, 146, 148, 150, 151, 

152, 155, 156, 159, 160, 162, 163, 164, 167, 168, 

170, 172, 173, 175, 176, 178, 182

Navy Combat Archer. See NCA

Navy Marine Mammal Program. See NMMP

Navy Navigation Satellite System, 175

Navy P3 Resin, 144

NAWCAD, 18

NAWS, 17, 118

NB-8, 85

NCA, 126

Nellis AFB, 112

Nevada, 6, 134

Newick, 111

New Mexico, 6, 58, 69, 70

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 164

New York Fire Department, 180

New Zealand, 9

Next-Generation Jammer. See NGJ

NGJ, 92

Nicolaides, Dr. John, 172

NKC-135, 123

NLOPs, 144

NMC, 5, 6

NMMP, 177, 178

Nonlinear Optical Polymers. See NLOPs

North American Aerospace Defense Command, 123

North Atlantic Treaty Organization. See NATO
 204 | Arming the Fleet

North Island, 1, 117

Northrop Grumman Corporation, 97, 105, 112, 126, 127

Norway, 20

NOTS, 5, 70

NOTSNIK, 4, 7, 172

NP-3D, 110, 124, 176

NSAWC, 79, 138

NSW, 111

NSWG, 63

NTWP, 116

Nuclear Emulsion Recovery Vehicle, 176

NWC, 6

O

Obama, President, 97

Objective Gateway Program, 84

Office of Naval Research. See ONR

Office of the Chief of Naval Material, 36

Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, 82

Oklahoma, 79, 156

Oklahoma City, 156, 180

ONR, 51, 101, 121, 140, 154

Operation Allied Force, 15, 38, 45, 50

Operation Desert Fox, 15

Operation Desert Shield, 14, 44, 96

Operation Desert Storm, 14, 34, 40, 41, 42, 44, 48, 50, 54, 

55, 62, 96, 137

Operation Enduring Freedom, 16, 40, 45, 48, 50, 97, 118, 

137, 146

Operation Iraqi Freedom, 7, 16, 18, 29, 34, 44, 45, 46, 48, 

49, 50, 62, 81, 83, 97, 128, 135, 137, 146

Operation Just Cause, 48, 54

Operation Popeye, 158

Operation Southern Watch, 38, 81

Optical Dome Material Work, 145

Optics and Laser Research Facility, 31

Ordnance and Propulsion Laboratories, 32

Orion, 110, 124, 125

P

P-3, 85, 110, 124

P-3A, 110

P-25, 27

Pacific Missile Range. See PMR

Pacific Missile Range Facility. See PMRF

Pacific Missile Test Center. See PMTC

Padeye, 41

Pakistan, 97

Parachute Qualification, 85

Pasadena, 7, 69, 178, 179

Patents, 135, 143, 144, 145, 149, 155, 156, 157, 158, 161, 

162, 164

Pathfinder, 173

Patriot, 82, 123

Patterson, Robert P., 72

Patuxent River, 1, 97, 103, 105, 121, 127, 132

Pave Knife, 14, 45

Payload Integration Laboratory, 107

PBXN-109, 43

Pearson Notch, 4

Pegasus, 4, 97, 100, 105, 124, 126

Persian Gulf, 55, 81

Petrus, 102

PGM, 4, 74, 87, 102, 154

Phalanx, 64, 65, 117, 122, 182

Phantom, 96, 116

Phoenix, 4, 7, 38, 39, 182

Photo-Optical Instrumentation, 126

Photovoltaic, 142, 166, 168

Pioneer, 96, 99, 100

PMR, 5, 6, 59, 125

PMRF, 68, 125

PMTC, 6, 10

Pointer, 100

Point Loma, 6

Point Mugu, ii, 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23, 29, 

30, 32, 39, 40, 43, 47, 49, 55, 58, 59, 60, 62, 63, 

64, 83, 90, 91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 100, 105, 109, 110, 

111, 117, 118, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 

130, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 140, 147, 151, 

159, 168, 172, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 

182

Point Mugu Simulation Laboratories, 135

Polaris, 4, 7, 57, 59, 175

Port Hueneme, 5, 21, 112, 124

Poseidon, 57, 58

Precision Engagement Center, 28, 120

Precision-Guided Munition. See PGM

Precision Strike Navigator. See PSN

Precision Strike Suite–Special Operations Forces. 

See PSS-SOF

Predator, 4, 97, 99, 100, 102, 105, 106

Project Camel, 69, 70, 71

Project Cassandra, 101

Project Hotshot, 40

Project Hydra, 124

Project Mercury, 175

Project Notty, 178

Prowler, 90, 116

PSN, 83

PSS-SOF, 18, 79, 108

Puma, 100

Pumice, 150, 161, 162
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 205

Q

QF-4, 96, 100, 117, 126

QF-4N/S, 116

QF-86, 100

Q-Lear, 123

QST-35, 100, 111

Quadeye, 80

QuickTurn, 56

R

R-2505, 108

R-2508, 21, 116

R-2524, 108

Radar Reflectivity Laboratory. See RRL

Radiant Virgo, 102, 154

Radiographic Inspection Facilities. See RIFs

RAIDER, 18, 84

Rainmaking, 158

RAM, 39, 65, 66, 130, 150, 153, 182

RAMICS, 121

Range Headquarters, 168

Range Operations Center, 21

Range Signal Density Enhancement Team, 119

RAPEC, 86

Rapid Airborne Mine Clearance System. See RAMICS

Rapid Attack Information Dissemination and Execution 

Relay. See RAIDER

Rapid Prototyping Facility, 107

Raptor, 116, 117, 125

RAT, 103

RATTLRS, 58, 152

Raven, 99, 100, 102, 103, 105

Raven Advanced Targeting. See RAT

Raytheon, 24, 49, 61, 63, 112, 147

R&D Magazine 100 Awards, 157

Reaper, 44, 97, 99, 100, 105

Red Arsenal, 108

Reduced-Smoke Propellant, 151

Regulus, 7, 58, 59, 71

Renewable Energy Laboratory, 168, 169

Renewable Energy Technologies, 167

Revolutionary Approach to Time-Critical Long-Range 

Strike. See RATTLRS

Ridgecrest, California, 164

RIFs, 32, 33

RIM-7M, 66

RIM-116A, 65

Rocket-Assisted Personnel Ejection Category. See RAPEC

Rockets, 4, 5, 7, 12, 21, 31, 33, 50, 51, 52, 53, 82, 99, 173, 

182

Rockeye, 41, 42

Rolling Airframe Missile. See RAM

Roseville, California, 152

Royal Air Force, 119

Royal Australian Air Force, 75

Royal Danish Navy, 9

RQ-7, 98

RQ-8, 4, 97

RQ-8A, 100, 127

RRL, 32, 126, 135, 136

Runways, 5, 21, 96, 102, 103, 107, 110

S

SA-227, 117

Sadeye, 41

Salt Wells Pilot Plant, 69, 70

SAM, 27, 34, 42, 43, 60, 63, 66, 78, 82, 133

San Clemente Island, 110, 126

San Diego, 6, 7, 117, 154, 178

San Nicolas Island, 21, 22, 52, 59, 99, 110, 123, 125, 133, 

137

San Pedro, 110

Santa Cruz Island, 110, 168

SARV Retro, 176

Satellite, 4, 7, 61, 63, 81, 110, 124, 172, 175

ScanEagle, 97, 99, 100, 103, 105, 106, 154

SDB, 44, 74

SEAD, 54, 90, 92, 101

Sea Harrier, 117

Sea Range, 8, 9, 18, 20, 21, 23, 30, 38, 59, 60, 63, 65, 66, 

100, 112, 122, 123, 125, 126, 130, 132, 133, 137, 

148, 172, 175

SeaSparrow, 9, 40, 65, 66, 137, 182

SECNAV, 166

Secretary of Defense, 29

Secretary of the Navy. See SECNAV

Secure Internet Protocol Router Network. See SIPRNET

Segways, 181

Sensors in Automotive Air Bags, 162

Sensor Systems, 81

Shadow, 98, 100, 103

Shared Reconnaissance Pod. See SHARP

SHARP, 18, 75, 83, 118

Shock Tower Facility, 85

Shootable Remote Threat Ground Target. See SRTGT

Shrike, 4, 7, 13, 14, 53, 68, 182

SideARM, 39

Sidewinder, 4, 5, 7, 13, 27, 31, 39, 40, 46, 56, 65, 75, 76, 

78, 88, 116, 117, 125, 130, 145, 146, 147, 150, 151, 

153, 182

Sierra Sands Unified School District, 164

SIPRNET, 28, 107

Skinner, Rear Admiral Walter, 7

Skipper, 45, 182
 206 | Arming the Fleet

Sky Owl, 100

Skytop Propulsion Complex, 33

Sky Warrior, 4, 97, 100

SLAM, 4, 7, 54, 55, 60, 75, 116, 117, 125, 134, 135, 182

SLAM-ER, 55, 60, 75, 116, 117, 125, 134, 135, 182

SLBM, 57, 59

Small-Diameter Bomb. See SDB

Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial System. See STUAS

Smart Multiple-Carriage Bomb Rack, 74

Snakeye, 41

SNORT, 33, 86, 121, 122, 145, 172, 180

Society of Flight Test Engineers James S. McDonnell 

Award, 93

Software Engineering Institute, 75, 76

Software Engineering Laboratory, 107

Solar, 142, 155, 166, 167, 168, 176

Southern California Offshore Range, 126

Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, 154, 178

Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, 112, 154

Space Shuttle, 85, 117, 172

Space Support, 172, 175

Spanish Navy, 122, 123

Sparrow, 4, 7, 38, 39, 40, 66, 124, 130, 182

Special Operations Forces, 8, 20, 63, 79, 80, 103, 109, 173

Special Warfare Program, 179

Spike, 4, 31, 67, 98, 106

Spin-Stabilized Bombardment Rocket. See SSBR

SPS Blas de Lezo, 122

Sputnik, 172

SRTGT, 121

SSBR, 12, 52

Standard ARM, 67, 68, 88

Standard Missile, 4, 6, 56, 67, 68, 122, 146, 182

Standoff Land Attack Missile. See SLAM

Standoff Land Attack Missile–Extended Response. 

See SLAM-ER

Stanford University, 112

Stinger, 97, 102

Stop-Action Electromechanical Shuttered Video Cameras, 

162

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, 60

Strike Warfare Command Center, 132

STUAS, 98, 103

Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile. See SLBM

Sun Biomedical Technologies (SunBMT), 160

Super-Capacitor Technology, 99, 103, 149

Super Hornet, 78, 83, 92, 117, 118, 125

Superior Valley, 20, 130, 133

Supersonic Combustion Heating Apparatus, 162

Supersonic Naval Ordnance Research Track. See SNORT

Suppression of Enemy Air Defense. See SEAD

Surface Craft Division, 21

Surface-to-Air Missile. See SAM

Swift, 100

Swimmer, 164, 177, 179

Switchblade, 100

Switzerland, 20

Swoose, 13

Systems Integration Laboratory, 90, 91, 108

T

T-39, 117

Table of NAWCWD-Influenced Weapons in Conflict, 182

Tactical Air-Launched Decoy. See TALD

Tactical Air Range Integration Facility, 134

Tactical Dissemination Module. See TDM

Tactical Jamming Receiver. See TJR

Tactical Jamming System. See TJS

Tactical Targeting Network Technology. See TTNT

Tactical Tomahawk, 4, 31, 62, 63, 116, 125, 136, 150, 

152, 153

Tactical Weapons Office, 47, 49, 50

TALD, 99, 126

Taliban, 34, 45

Targeting Systems, 78

TDM, 80, 81, 94

T&E, 1, 5, 20, 21, 27, 38, 49, 54, 57, 58, 60, 61, 64, 65, 

66, 67, 79, 82, 85, 90, 92, 96, 98, 101, 108, 110, 

112, 115, 116, 117, 118, 122, 125, 126, 127, 135, 

174, 177

Technical Library, 147

Technology Transfers, 155

TEEPEE, 176

Tennessee, 69

Test and Evaluation. See T&E

Testing, 86

Test Squadrons, 116

Thermo Jarrell Ash Corporation, 157

Thompson, Dr. L.T.E., 33

Thompson Laboratory, 33

Tilt Rotor UAV System, 100

TIMS, 63, 136

TJR, 90, 92

TJS, 91, 92

Tomahawk, 4, 6, 7, 9, 20, 31, 32, 56, 61, 62, 63, 99, 116, 

117, 122, 125, 136, 182

Tomahawk In-Flight Missile Simulator. See TIMS

Tomcat, 5, 6, 39, 116, 117

TOPGUN, 27

Top Navy Scientist and Engineers of the Year Award, 17

TOPSCENE®, 136, 137

Torpedo Development, 178

Toxic Metal Removal From Storm Water, 162

TraceAIRTM, 157

Transit, 175, 176

Trident, 6, 58, 59, 60
Providing Our Warfighters the Decisive Advantage | 207

Trinity Site, New Mexico, 69

TTNT, 117

Tube-Launched Optically Tracked Wire-Guided Missile, 

48

Tuffy, 178

U

UAS, 99, 101, 102, 103, 108, 111, 154

UAV, 4, 8, 20, 63, 67, 82, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 103, 

105, 106, 107, 109, 112, 126, 127, 149, 154, 179

UAV-Medium Range, 100

UAV-Short Range, 100

UCAV, 99, 102, 126

UE UAV HFE, 103

UGM-27, 57

UGV, 100, 104

UH-1, 74

UH-1Y, 117, 118

UHDT, 180

Ultra Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Heavy Fuel 

Engine. See UE UAV HFE

Undersea Projects, 177

Underwater Hazardous Device Team. See UHDT

Underwater Long-Range Missile System, 59

Underwater Ordnance Department, 179

Unitary Fuze Module, 145

United Kingdom, 9, 75, 100

University of California Los Angeles, 112

University of California, Santa Barbara, 163

University of Colorado, 112

University of Maryland, 144

University of North Dakota, 112

University of Pennsylvania, 147

University of Southern California, 112

University of Washington, 143

University of Wyoming, 112, 140

Unmanned Aerial System. See UAS

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. See UAV

Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle. See UCAV

Unmanned Ground Vehicle. See UGV

Unmanned Sea Vehicle. See USV

Unmanned Systems. See UxS

Unmanned Systems Activity. See USA

Unmanned Systems Facility. See USF

USA, 96, 112

USF, 108

USJFCOM, 8, 79, 84, 111, 119, 132

U.S. Joint Forces Command. See USJFCOM

U.S. National Imaging and Mapping Agency, 29

U.S. Naval Museum of Armament and Technology, 7

U.S. Northern Command, 123

USS Abraham Lincoln, 17, 18

USS Bremerton, 63

USS Carl Vinson, 16, 18

USS Cheyenne, 63

USS Constellation, 17

USS Coronado, 132

USS Denver, 127

USS Dewey, 123

USS Enterprise, 120

USS Ethan Allen, 57

USS Forrestal, 87, 120

USS George Washington, 57

USS Grayback, 59

USS Halsey, 122

USS Harry S. Truman, 18

USS Independence, 66

USS John C. Stennis, 18, 55, 79, 131

USS Kinkaid, 137

USS Kitty Hawk, 16

USS Midway, 117

USS Mobile Bay, 122, 123

USS Nimitz, 18

USS Oriskany, 120

USS Peleliu, 18

USS Princeton, 60

USS Ronald Reagan, 18

USS Theodore Roosevelt, 17

USS Tunny, 59

USS Wayne E. Meyer, 123

USV, 104

UxS, 29, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 105, 106, 107, 

108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 167

V

Vampires, 117

Vandal, 100, 122

Vandenberg AFB, 31, 59, 110, 112, 124, 125

Venom V-10, 105

Vertical Launch ASROC. See VLA

Vertical-Seeking Ejection Seat, 86

Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. See VTUAV

Very-Low-Absorption Coatings, 146

Vietnam, 7, 14, 40, 42, 46, 52, 53, 56, 85, 88, 145, 158, 

177, 179, 182

Vietnam Conflict, 14, 40, 42, 68, 182

Vietnam Laboratory Assistance Program. See VLAP

Vigilante, 67, 106

Virtual Missile Range. See VMR

Virtual Prototyping Facility, 28, 134

VLA, 56, 182

VLAP, 14

VMFA-314, 126

VMR, 137

VTUAV, 67, 101

VX-4, 117
 208 | Arming the Fleet

VX-5, 15, 52, 70, 117

VX-9, 17, 18, 79, 80, 83, 90, 91, 93, 117, 118, 126

VX-30, 18, 83, 93, 116, 117, 124, 126

VX-31, 18, 78, 93, 116, 117, 118, 125, 128

VXE-6, 4

W

Walleye, 4, 7, 41, 54, 182

Warfare Response Network, 8

Warfighter, 6, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 26, 30, 51, 55, 63, 74, 

78, 79, 80, 83, 87, 90, 91, 100, 101, 106, 116, 122, 

131, 134, 140, 160, 166, 167, 173

Warfighter Response Center. See WRC

War on Terror, 16, 17, 18, 29, 50, 54, 55, 79, 93, 97, 106, 

137

Washington, ii, 57, 69, 97, 112, 191, 192

Washington, D.C., 172, 191, 192

Wasp, 100

Waste Incineration Technology, 163

Weapon A, 178

Weapons and Armaments Technology Laboratory, 34

Weapons and Tactics Analysis 

Center. See WEPTAC

Weapons Dynamic RDT&E Center, 34

Weapons Engagement Office, 132

Weapons Survivability Laboratory. See WSL

Weapons Systems Center for Integration. See WSCI

Weapons Systems Support 

Activities. See WSSAs

Weapon Systems Users Program, 38

Weller, Dr. Royal, 128

WEPTAC, 138

Western Space and Missile Center, 112

White Mountain, 176

White Sands, New Mexico, 6

Winter, Rear Admiral Mathias W., ii, 166, 167

World War II, ii, 1, 5, 7, 12, 13, 43, 46, 50, 52, 55, 69, 87, 

125, 151, 182

WRC, 16, 17, 18

WS-6536, 160

WSCI, 35

WSL, 34

WSSAs, 35, 130

X

X-37, 174

X-45A, 97, 100, 102, 105

X-47A, 4, 97, 105, 126

XAIM-95 Agile, 39

X-ray, 4, 32, 120, 124

Y

Yuma Proving Grounds, 112

Z

Zuni, 5, 50, 51, 164

Zylon, 173
Naval Air Warfare Center

Weapons Division

China Lake and Point Mugu

California

NAWCWD TS 10-101

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited