Department of War Recognizes NAWS China Lake as Global Leader in Advanced Testing and Research

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) celebrated the recognition of Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake as the "most advanced Government laboratory and test enterprise in the world" by the Undersecretary of the Department of War for Research and Engineering's Defense Research Enterprise Review.

"NAWS China Lake, as well as our region's defense and space ecosystem, are truly world-class," said Congressman Fong. "The Department of War's recognition of China Lake as a global leader is a credit to the investments that have been made, strong local and regional support, and the hard work of the talented men and women who develop and test cutting edge technology for our nation's warfighters. Combined with the work of the AFRL Rocket Lab, Edwards Air Force Base, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, and the Mojave Air and Space Port, our community stands as the nation's premier hub for military and aerospace research, development, test, and evaluation. I applaud NAWS China Lake on this important recognition and thank the Undersecretary for his advocacy to strengthen our nation's defense base."

"The Defense Research Enterprise Review's recognition of NAWS China Lake as 'the most advanced Government laboratory and test enterprise in the world' is a testament to decades of innovation, technical excellence, and the extraordinary dedication of the military, civilian, and industry professionals who make its mission possible. This distinction reinforces China Lake's indispensable role in delivering the next generation of warfighting capabilities and ensuring the United States maintains its technological advantage over our adversaries," said Stephen Farmer, Executive Director, China Lake Alliance.

"The earthquakes of 2019 were a blessing in disguise. Generally, the DoD laboratory and test range infrastructure is WWII vintage. Not China Lake. The Congressional and Navy investment to rebuild China Lake following the earthquakes has rendered it the most modern DoD Research, Development Test and Evaluation facility. Today's weapons systems are highly technical and complex. This investment postures China Lake extremely well to lead and support developing, testing and fielding these systems," said Scott O'Neil, Commissioner on the National Commission on the Future of the Navy & Executive Director of the Indian Wells Valley Economic Development Corporation.

"This report makes it clear: the Aerospace Valley is home to the world's most advanced government research and test facilities in the world, and that's something every resident of Kern County and the Antelope Valley should know and be proud of," said Justin Salters, California project lead for Griffiss Institute. "We look forward to deepening our collaboration with our partners at the Navy to leverage the capabilities at China Lake to provide our warfighters with the capabilities they need and support the growth of industry and good jobs in Ridgecrest and the broader region."

The Defense Research Enterprise Review was a 90-day assessment ordered by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth evaluating the Department of War's laboratories, research centers, and testing facilities. Among its key findings, the review recognized NAWS China Lake as the world's most advanced Government laboratory and test enterprise, a direct result of the nearly $4 billion Congressional investment to rebuild China Lake's infrastructure following the 2019 earthquakes. To view the full report, click here.

This recognition reflects years of sustained Congressional investment in China Lake and the broader Indian Wells Valley defense ecosystem. Congressman Fong has fought to secure the following investments to strengthen China Lake's mission and the surrounding community:

• Naval Air Warfare Rapid Capabilities Office - $4,000,000
  • Supports advanced work at NAWS China Lake, ensuring continued progress in naval aviation and electronic warfare systems. FY26 Appropriations Package.
• NAWS China Lake Child Development Center - $8,900,000
  • Funds the design of a new Child Development Center at NAWS China Lake, replacing an outdated facility to meet the growing childcare needs of the installation's workforce. FY26 Appropriations Package.
• City of Ridgecrest Wastewater Treatment Plant - $1,000,000
  • Modernizes a 70-year-old facility serving both the City of Ridgecrest and NAWS China Lake. FY26 Appropriations Package.
• Cerro Coso Community College Cybersecurity Program - $1,112,250
  • Establishes a new cybersecurity education program supporting workforce development in Kern County - directly building the pipeline of talent that installations like China Lake depend on. FY26 Appropriations Package.
• Ridgecrest Regional Hospital - $1,321,904
  • Funds new equipment and related infrastructure improvements at the primary medical facility serving over 28,000 residents of the Indian Wells Valley and the workforce at NAWS China Lake. Included in the FY2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which passed the House Appropriations Committee.

NAWS China Lake is the Navy's largest single landholding, representing 85% of the Navy's land for research, development, acquisition, testing, and evaluation use and 38% of the Navy's land holdings worldwide. Its two ranges and main site cover more than 1.1 million acres - an area larger than the state of Rhode Island - making it the Navy's most critical installation for weapons research and development, and a cornerstone of our national defense.