Due to strict regulations, the plans called for a minimalist design and isolated location. Required features incorporated into the design include a light-weight roof system to prevent heavy objects from falling in the event of an explosion, structural framing to accommodate Navy crane systems and an elaborate grounding system to prevent any static electricity build-up within the facility.
China Lake is the high desert home of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. The Navy and Marine Corps have developed or tested nearly every significant airborne weapon system in the past six decades at China Lake. The facility supports the primary research and development, test and evaluation work for air warfare and missile weapons systems. Missiles such as Sidewinder, Shrike and Walleye are just a few of the many products at China Lake, which have been developed for the fleet.
China Lake encompasses 1.1 million acres of land in California’s upper Mojave Desert, accounting for approximately one-third of the Navy’s total land holdings. The land, ranging in altitude from 2,100 to 8,900 feet, varies from flat dry lake beds to rugged piñon pine covered mountains.
The firm’s project team consists of Don Blair, Jay Janda and Robb Walker. The structural engineer is KPFF of San Diego and the civil engineer is KPFF of Irvine. The electrical engineer is Michael Wall Engineering, the mechanical engineer is Louis Abbott Engineering and the plumbing designer is Stueven Engineering.