Weapon Systems facilities in CA

Advanced Weapons F/A-18

China Lake, CA

Our vision is for the F/A-18 Advanced Weapons Laboratory (AWL) to be the undisputed leader in rapidly delivering the highest value products to the warfighter. The AWL, as a member of a seamless integrated product team (IPT), will lead the advancement of the F/A-18 to higher levels, as the world's most effective, multinational, strike fighter.

Aerial and Surface Target Complex

China Lake, CA

We provide operational and engineering support to Navy target users and providers worldwide.The Complex uses land-based launch sites at Point Mugu and San Nicholas Island, California, both of which are on the Sea Test Range; and land-based sites at China Lake, California, on the Electronic Combat Ranges. We provide air launch support with NWTS Pt. Mugu DC-130 and QF-4 aircraft. The Aerial Target Launch Ship (ATLS) is used for seaborne launches. These assets provide the target capability for airborne or seaborne launches to be deployed in support of Fleet operations or weapon system development. The Complex provides aerial and surface target operational support throughout the threat envelope, as well as auxiliary and augmentation systems that enhance target threat replicability. We can also provide our deployable target control system to present the BQM-74 aerial target anywhere worldwide–shipboard or land based.

Aircraft Gun Harmonization Facility

Edwards AFB, CA

The Gun Harmonization Facility is a concrete pad with a retaining wall constructed on three sides. The facility measures 50-foot W X 70-foot D. It contains approximately 100 tons of washed plaster sand and has railroad ties and sand bags configured around the exterior to eliminate possible ricochets. There are aircraft (A/C) tie down points available for securing A/C. The facility is primarily used for aligning A/C Head-Up Display (HUD) symbology for gun sighting as well as boresighting and live weapon checkout.

Aircraft Gun Harmonization Facility (Gun Butt)

Edwards AFB, CA

The facility provides a unique capability used for ground firing of aircraft gunnery systems that verifies accuracy and provides operational checkouts prior to flight. It is rated to 30mm (The A-10s, GAU- 8 Gun).

Austere Field Test Areas

Edwards AFB, CA

The field test areas are required to assess weapon systems designed to operate in the austere environment. Specifically, ground operations as well as takeoff and landing performance are assessed. Due to the unique environment close to Edwards Air Force Base, sites have been surveyed capable of testing all foreseeable austere test requirements. California Bearing Ratios from 6 on up are available throughout most of the year (late winter and spring usually close most of the sites due to water saturation). A majority of the areas are also coverable by range cinetheodolites for instrumentation purposes.

Desert Ship

Port Hueneme, CA

In the desert of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico is a Navy “vessel” that never leaves port but is continually at work: the Desert Ship. The NSWC PHD White Sands Detachment, including the Desert Ship performs live-fire test and evaluation of Navy weapons encompassing missiles, guided munitions, and high-energy laser technologies. The Detachment mission also includes Research Rockets as well as derivative rocket systems providing for the test and evaluation of ballistic missile defense at sea.

F-14 Weapons System Support Activity (WSSA)

China Lake, CA

Air Systems Command(NAVAIR) PMA-241 and provides cradle-to-grave F-14 weapon system support. For three decades, the F-14 WSSA has provided

Integrated Combat Systems Test Division

Port Hueneme, CA

ICSTD was built in 1978 for the purpose of integrating and certifying combat systems before deployment aboard Navy surface combatants. The 33,000 square foot landbased laboratory located in Point Loma provides a completely reconfigurable test bed containing the actual shipboard computer hardware and support equipment which allows ICSTD to replicate virtually every surface combatant in the US Navy. As the primary certification agent for non-AEGIS combat systems, ICSTD has long been the Navy’s “One- Stop-Shopping” for combat system integration.

MESA—Missile Engagement Simulation Arena

China Lake, CA

Overview. MESA is a DOD-recognized national asset and is the only facility of its kind in the world. 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, round-the-clock operational capabilities. The unique indoor environment lends itself to a wide variety of other types of testing as well.

Missile/Munition Integration Facility

Edwards AFB, CA

A large complex contained within approximately 600 acres with security fencing, controlled access gates, and a munitions convoy access road. The complex is capable of handling multiple programs and multiple levels of security. The complex is certified and meets DoD standards associated with safe separation criteria and isolation requirements for munitions/missile integration buildup and test. Various facilities within the complex are capable of handling solid or liquid powered munitions, missile/payload integration, missile operational software verification, weapon system checkout for first flights, and full rotary launcher maintenance and checkout. The complex also contains munitions storage areas for receiving, inspecting, repairing, repackaging, and issuing munitions and munitions related items. Also within the confines of the complex are 2,213 storage bunkers which are standard double door igloos used to store up to 3,120,000 pounds.

Radar Reflectivity Laboratory

China Lake, CA

The RRL has three indoor anechoic chambers designed for both near- and far-field monostatic and vertical- and horizontal-plane bistatic RCS measurements at frequencies from VHF to millimeter waves. RCS measurements are accomplished by irradiating targets with a high-speed, wide-band radar while rotating the target in azimuth at various roll and pitch orientations. This approach yields RCS data for all desired angles for all frequencies within the operating range of the radar. The indoor environment provides secure, low-cost, precision, weather-independent measurements 24 hours a day.

Test Ship

Port Hueneme, CA

The U. S. Navy dedicated the decommissioned Spruance Class destroyer ex-PAUL F. FOSTER (EDD 964), Test Ship, primarily for at sea demonstration of short range weapon systems and other surface combat and weapon system projects. In addition to Combat & Weapons system Test & Evaluation, the Test Ship supports multiple types and all levels of engineering, testing and evaluation aspects of Naval systems including:

Test Support Facility (South Base)

Edwards AFB, CA

Weapons Evaluation

Seal Beach, CA

The Weapons Evaluation Division provides technical program support for the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs and other DoD conventional and nuclear weapon systems. Technical services include: evaluation of engineering test data; reliability predictions and assessments; statistical analysis; and specialized scientific computer programming for a wide range of military and industrial programs. Member, FAR WEST Region of the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC).

Weapons Survivability Laboratory

China Lake, CA

The Weapons Survivability Laboratory (WSL) is the Navy's field activity for weapon system non-nuclear survivability, weapons lethality,