NWC China Lake TA-4J BuNo 152848, NWC-041, "KNOZY" in tactical camouflage paint, HARM seeker nose, hangar 3, China Lake, 1983/1984. Left to right: Bob Vogel, TI employee; Bill Scott, TI employee; Paul Kudla, TI employee; Mike Kirby, TI employee; Mike Kauppi, Navy detailed to HARM Program Office; Pete Chmelir, NWC HARM Program; Chris Wellman, TI employee; Tommy Suttle, TI employee; Elvy Hopkins, NWC HARM Program Office; Dave Janiec, NWC HARM Program Office. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC personnel filling the giant envelope of the kite balloon which requires a relatively windless day, China Lake, 13 January 1984. Rocketeer photo.

The Space Shuttle booster Drop Test Vehicle buried its nose in the sand at the Parachute Drop Zone on G Range after a successful test, China Lake, 27 January 1984. Rocketeer photo.

Personnel from the Aerosystems Department and others involved with the Space Shuttle booster program inspect the Drop Test Vehicle used to simulate the booster in parachute tests, China Lake, 27 January 1984. Rocketeer photo.

Static firing of Trident II rocket motors in various positions simulating flight conditions will be possible when work is completed on the Vertical Firing Facility at Skytop, China Lake, 10 February 1984. Rocketeer photo.

Unknown VX-4 Evaluators F-14 Tomcat firing an AIM-9M Sidewinder at a QF-86 Sabre drone target, 23 February 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake Maj. John A. Gallinetti is joined by Maj. Tom White for a brief celebration after Maj. Gallinetti flew NWC's 4th F/A-18A Hornet from St. Louis to China Lake, 02 March 1984. Rocketeer photo by PH2 Dennis Mugglin.

Cutaway model of the Mk-82 500 lb. general purpose bomb showing the FMU-139/B electronic bomb fuse that earned Technical Director awards for l-r James Denney, Bruce Bartels, Larry Brauer & Ronald Cohn, China Lake, 30 March 1984. Photo by Clare Grounds.

A-3 Projects Officer LCdr. John Hershberger, Plane Captain AT2 Jeff Eden and Crew Chief/Navigator AMS1 Anton Kiren pose in front of NA-3D Skywarrior BuNo 142630, Armitage Field, China Lake, 06 April 1984. Substantial modifications have been made to the nose section. Two large I-beams have been mounted along the forward fuselage bulkhead, and the aircraft skin across the top of the nose has been doubled in thickness. These changes makes it possible for missiles to be mounted firmly on the nose of the aircraft for test flights. Photo by Clare Grounds.

NWC China Lake QT-38A Talon s/n 59-1603, NWC-381, April 1984. Photo by Jan Jacobs via Tailhook Association.

VA-37 Bulls A-7E Corsair II's including AC-302, AC-305 and AC-307 from NAS Cecil Field, FL line up for refueling and re-arming in the gun butts area before taking off on their next tactical weapons training flight. China Lake, 13 April 1984. Rocketeer photo by Clare Grounds.

NAS Lemoore VA-127 aggressor force pilot Lt. Bob Vassar shows the ideal position for a friendly aircraft (model in right hand) to be when there are "bogies" around. Enjoying the demonstration are (l-r) Cdr. Mike Morgan and Cdr. Brian Lehman. operations officer and executive officer, respectively, of the VA-37 Bulls and Lt. Mark Hancock, of VA-127. China Lake, 13 April 1984. Rocketeer photo by Clare Grounds.

NWC China Lake F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161720, NWC-102, HARM missile, China Lake, 20 April 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161720, NWC-102, RC flyover Ridgecrest, 20 April 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake NTA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152102, NWC-041, LCdr. Dave Pate on the canopy rail, Sheppard AFB, April 1984. Photo by C.T. Robbins.

NWC China Lake TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154332, NWC-040, west of hangar 3, Armitage Field, China Lake, April 1984.

NWC China Lake A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160245, parked on the ramp west of hangar 3, lo-vis grey paint scheme, Armitage Field, China Lake, April 1984. Photo by Jan Jacobs from Tailhook Association.

NWC China Lake F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161720, NWC-102, HARM missile, supersonic camera pod from Pt. Mugu. The store outboard of the LAU-118/HARM is a B57-VFA 82 nuclear "shape" that HARM had to be carried and launched with, China Lake, 10 May 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake TA-7C Corsair II BuNo 156750, NWC-701, Fairchild AFB, May 1984. Photo by Jim Kelsey.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 56-2831, NWC-828, and VX-4 Evaluators black F-4J Phantom BuNo 155539, Vandy-1, from Point Mugu, Fairchild AFB, May 1984. Photographer unknown.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre s/n 56-2831, NWC-828, and VX-4 Evaluators F-4J Phantom II BuNo 155539, Vandy-1, Fairchild AFB, May 1984. Photo by Jim Kelsey.

NWC China Lake F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161720, NWC-102, HARM missile, supersonic camera pod from Pt. Mugu. The store outboard of the LAU-118/HARM is a B57-VFA 82 nuclear "shape" that HARM had to be carried and launched with, China Lake, 10 May 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161720, NWC-102, firing a HARM missile. The supersonic camera pod on the centerline is from Pt Mugu. The store outboard of the LAU-118/HARM is a B57-VFA 82 nuclear "shape" that HARM had to be carried and launched with, China Lake, 10 May 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo, China Lake archives.

NWC China Lake F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161720, NWC-102, carrying HARM missiles passes Sea Site on Echo Range [South Range (Randsburg Wash/Mojave B) Complex], China Lake, circa 1984. Sea Site radars are arranged in a generic Soviet ship layout and replicate various Soviet naval search and SAM threat radars. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Cdr. Joseph Dyer checks out a HARM missile on NWC China Lake F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161720, NWC-102, prior to a test flight. Cdr. Dyer recently received a gold star in lieu of a second award of the Navy Commendation Medal for his achievement as NWC China Lake's Antiradiation Missiles Project Officer. China Lake, 11 May 1984. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Greg Hogan.

Art Feinberg, HARM senior project engineer for NAVAIR, stands beneath the test vehicle suspended beneath the towers at Randsburg Wash that will be used to check interaction between the HARM seeker and a target. The test vehicle missile is pulled down the hawser at a constant rate; when it reaches the tie-down area, it can then be winched back up into position for the next test. China Lake, 11 May 1984. Rocketeer photo by Clare Grounds.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 56-2842, NWC-853, Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, circa May 1984. Photo by C.T. Robbins.

AE3 Barry Beavers, using VX-5 Vampires A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160722, XE-05, demonstrates the proper garb for washing aircraft when there's apt to be a good bit of horseplay involved. All personnel who have some military member that they'd like to see at the wash rack on Thursday, May 24, at 2:30 p.m. can vote for their candidate by contributing to the Navy Relief Society fund drive. (Captains are not excluded, but civilians are.) China Lake, 18 May 1984. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Rebecca Gill.

Friends (?) of a number of military personnel contributed money in their names at a Navy Relief Society fundraising airplane wash. A total of 12, including both Capt. Scotty Vaught, Chief Staff Officer. and Capt. Joe Phaneuf, head of the Aircraft Department, ended up using the scrubbers and hoses. While the A-6E Intruder BuNo 159312 wasn't clean enough to pass inspection, a damp good time was had by all-and the Navy Relief Society is richer by $1.167. China Lake, 24 May 1984. Rocketeer Photo by PHAN Greg Hogan.

Shown during its final acceptance test on the NWC antenna range is the specialized antenna system developed here for a Naval Security Group overseas installation. Four employees in the Signal Exploitation Branch of the Electronic Warfare Department were the recent recipients of the NWC Technical Director's Award in recognition of their accomplishment. China Lake, 25 May 1984. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-6E Intruder BuNo 156995, XE-23, McChord AFB, 1 June 1984. Photo by D. Remington.

Angela Miyasaki, a teacher at the Immanuel Christian School in Ridgecrest, and some of her kindergarten pupils (next to QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 55-5056, NWC-844) listen with interest as Dave Eiband, QF-4 Program Manager, describes the operation of drone aircraft. The youngsters and their teachers toured Hangar 2 recently to learn more about aircraft and drones. China Lake, 08 June1984. Rocketeer photo by Claire Grounds.

A CBU-78 Gator weapons system is removed from its carrier so ordnance personnel can load it onto an adjacent aircraft. The Air Force version of Gator recently passed First Article Acceptance Tests in an outstanding manner. China Lake, 08 June1984. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161366, NWC-101, in-flight over Olancha peak, 16 June 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Maj. Jon A. Gallinetti's leadership in the development of F/A-18 Hornet tactical software at China Lake was the basis for the recent presentation of the NWC Technical Director's Award to Maj. Gallinetti, USMC. The honoree is shown above during a pre-flight check of one of NWC's F/A-18A Hornet aircraft. China Lake, 22 June 1984. Rocketeer photo.

A BGM-109B Tomahawk missile approaches a reinforced concrete target during a live warhead test, San Clemente Island, 25 June 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo. The missile was launched from a submarine 400 miles off the coast of California. The missile employed its Terrain Matching Contour (TERCOM) system to get to the target area and its Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator (DSMAC) to zero in on the target.

A concrete target explodes after being struck by a conventionally armed Tomahawk land attack cruise missile during a live test, SCI, 25 June 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Tests that involved running the six engines of B-47E Stratojet s/n 52-0166 which is undergoing renovation in preparation for its eventual flight to the Air Force Museum at Castle AFB near Merced, CA, were carried out last Saturday in the gun butts area of Armitage Airfield. At the controls of this 30-year-old aircraft during the engine tests was Ted Pappe, a Civil Service employee (electrician) in the Aircraft Support Division of the NWC Aircraft Department. China Lake, 29 June 1984. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160729, XE-01, assigned to CO R.P. Flower, unknown location, circa 1984. Photo by D. Remington, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake F-4B Phantom II BuNo 149452, NWC-404, Armitage Field, China Lake, July 1984. Photo by Paul Minert.

NWC China Lake NTA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152102, NWC-041, LCdr. Dave Pate on the canopy rail, location unknown, July 1984. Photographer unknown.

The small cylinder beside the buckle holding the shroud lines for the parachute ensures that the Naval aviator will not become entangled with his chute in case he is unable to manually release it upon hitting sea water. SEAWARS, which automatically makes such a release, is expected to save the lives of from four to seven aviators a year. China Lake, 27 July 1984. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160722, XE-05, Andrews AFB, 28 July 1984. Photo by E.L. Zorn.

RUM-139 vertical launch ASROC test, SNORT, circa 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo.

An articulated hydraulically-operated crane is used to reload a Vertical Launch System (VLS) magazine, China Lake, 28 July 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A vertical launch system (VLS) magazine is prepared for the testing of a vertical launch ASROC (VLA) missile, China Lake, 28 July 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Series of four images as a Vertical Launch ASROC (VLA) missile is fired from its Vertical Launch System (VLS) during tests, China Lake, 28 July 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires OV-10A Bronco BuNo 155465, XE-70, still in hi-vis markings, location unknown, circa August 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo.

In 1984 the reserve aircraft were finally cleared to launch the Shrike anti-radiation missile from the outboard stations. The first Shrike launch for VMAQ-4 came at China Lake by two VMAQ-4 aircraft. BuNo 151600 crewed by Capt. Joey Rohletter and Capt. Jim Grimshaw fired the first missile followed by Maj. Paul Barlock and MAG-42 Det. C CO Lt. Col. Dave Weber on 17 August 1985. The last major modification of the EA-6A aircraft and weapon systems occurred during the 1987-89 timeframe under the RECAP program. A much need navigation radar, Loran navigation system and upgrades to the ALQ-76 and 86 ECM systems along with improved DECM suite was included in this modification program

NWC China Lake NA-3B Skywarrior BuNo 142630, New Orleans, August 1984. Photo by R. E. Kling; Paul Minert collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

AMS1 Michael Fedak, daycheck supervisor in the NDI section of the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Branch, explains the fluorescent penetrant procedure in which a substance is swabbed onto the seams and seals of a combustion liner can of a J-47 engine. If damage has occurred since the previous inspection, it will be visible under a black light due to the fluorescent quality of the substance used. China Lake, 10 August 1984. Rocketeer photo.

Members of the Royal Australian Air Force load a prototype aerodynamic test vehicle onto an Australian F-111C, Sgt. Brian Macklin (at left) comes around the front of the PATV-2 to assist LCpl. Phil Pacor, while Flying Officer Andrew Hayden, the detachment's armament officer, checks to make sure that the loading process is done properly. China Lake, 17 August 1984. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires AV-8B Harrier BuNo 161576, XE-10, with LCol. Russ Stromberg, USMC, at the controls taxies to a parking place near hangar One after the test flight that began VX-5's operational evaluation (OPEVAL) of the aircraft. China Lake, 24 August 1984. Rocketeer photo by PH3 Rick Moore.

Lt. Pat Walsh, who has been operational test director for the VX-5 Vampires for the past year, looks forward to his new assignment with the Blue Angels. Seen here in the cockpit of an F/A-18A Hornet, Lt. Walsh will spend the winter months training with the team in A-4F Skyhawks as they prepare for the 1985 show season that begins next March in El Centro, CA. China Lake, 21 September 1984. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Greg Hogan.

Key personnel involved in test flights of Project Cheap Night are shown by TA-7C Corsair II BuNo 156738, NWC-700, that was selected as the demonstration aircraft. The project pilots are Cdr. Mick Taylor, of VX-5 (in front seat), and Maj. T.J. Conley, USMC, who is assigned to the Marine Corps liaison Office at NWC. Standing are (l-r) Don Howe, Brian Leonard and Rick Smith, field service engineer, product support engineer and logistics engineer, respectively, from Marconi Avionics, a British company; Don Walters, LTV field service representative; George Mason, NWC project engineer; and Dave Waghorn, senior systems engineer from Marconi Avionics. Under the aircraft wing is the pod that contains the Cheap Night navigational forward looking infra-red sensor. China Lake, 21 September 1984. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Greg Hogan.

NWC China Lake UH-1N Search and Rescue Huey helicopter BuNo 158270, NWC-011, and its crew. An enthusiastic crowd gathered on China Lake Boulevard to cheer the bands, floats, and marching elements in the annual Desert Empire Fair parade. China Lake, 6 October 1984. Rocketeer photo by PH3 Rick Moore.

MCAS Tustin based CH-53 Sea Stallion is capable of heavy lifting, transporting supplies and/or personnel. China Lake, 14 October 1984. Rocketeer photo.

DASH QH-50 DS-1212, south of hangar 1, EA-6B Prowler NJ-904 in the background, China Lake, 14 October 1984. Photo by K. Svendsen.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 56-2842, NWC-853, China Lake, 14 October  1984. Photo by C.T. Robbins.

NWC China Lake QT-38A Talon s/n 59-1604, NWC-382, Armitage Field, China Lake, 14 October 1984. Photo by Bob Shane.

CAF CT-133 Silver Star s/n 133377,CAF-377, Armitage Field, China Lake, 14 October  1984. Photo by C.T. Robbins

NWC China Lake T-39D Sabreliner BuNo 150992, Armitage Field, China Lake, 14 October 1984. Hangar 1 at left. Photo by C.T. Robbins.

NWC China Lake YF-4J Phantom II BuNo 151473, NWC-473, Armitage Field, China Lake, 14 October 1984. At left is NA-3B Skywarrior BuNo 142630. Photo by Bob Shane.

NWC China Lake YF-4J Phantom II BuNo 151473, Armitage Field, China Lake, 14 October 1984. Photo by C.T. Robbins.

NWC China Lake TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 154332, NWC-040, next to QT-38A Talon s/n 59-1604, north of hangar 3, east end of the ramp, China Lake, 14 October 1984. Photographer unknown.

NWC China Lake TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 154332, NWC-040, Armitage Field, China Lake, 14 October 1984. At left is QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 56-2842, NWC-853. Photo by Bob Shane.

NWC China Lake A-7E Corsair II BuNo 156883, NWC-709, AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, AGM-62 Walleyes and AGM-88 HARM missile. China Lake, 14 October 1984. Photo by C.T. Robbins.

VAQ-129 Vikings EA-6B Prowler BuNo 161779, NJ-904, south side of hangar 1, Armitage Field, China Lake, 14 October 1984. Photo by Bob Shane.

Visitors get a pilots eye view of VX-5 Vampires F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161958, XE-32, parked in front of Hangar One. China Lake, 14 October 1984. Rocketeer photo.

In a daring display of flying skill the Blue Angels appear as comfortable upside down as right side up in their A-4F Skyhawks. China Lake, 14 October 1984. Rocketeer photo.

The NWC China Lake observance of the Navy's 209th birthday thrilled a crowd estimated 35,000 assembled along the flight line for this event. Before the Blue Angels took to the air, there was an hour-long air show that began with a flag drop by PRC Peter Rickett and a flyover by a B-52 Stratofortress from the 93rd Air Wing at Castle Air Force Base. Dwarfed by the size of the bomber were the many private aircraft, some of World War II vintage, that cruised over the crowd singly or in groups. Among them were a new Lear fan aircraft, and a modified Pitts Special flown by Ian Padden. China Lake, 14 October 1984. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Greg Hogan.

NWC China Lake TA-7C Corsair II BuNo 156738, NWC-700, next to VMA-322 Gamecocks A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 159475 tail code QR, 27 October 1984. Photo by D.S. McGarry.

The witness plates hanging from four 55 ft. telephone poles located near the shore line of China (dry) Lake are torn loose from their attachment to the ring at the top of the poles by the force of the blast. These plates are checked afterwards to determine the pattern of penetration by warhead fragments. China Lake, 02 November 1984. Rocketeer photo.

A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137814 on display in Switzer Circle, China Lake, 06 November 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A crane picks up the Shuttle booster Drop Test Vehicle following a test to improve the parachute system, China Lake, 16 November 1984. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake YF-4J Phantom II BuNo 151473 as Russell Sanford (at right), Aerosystems Department, and Leonard Wilson, Stencel Aero Engineering Corp., install the ejection seat to which the AGES chute is attached. AGES along with the anthropomorphic dummy will be testing the steerable parachute. China Lake, 23 November 1984. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152848, NWC-041, NAF Washington D.C., 24 November 1984. Photo by J.G. Handelman.

VX-5 Vampires flight line. l-r: A-6E Intruder BuNo 156995 (XE-23), A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160245 (XE-16), A-6E Intruder BuNo 154124 (XE-24) and OV-10A BuNo 155465, Hot line, Armitage Field, China Lake, 18 December 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake QF-4B Phantom II BuNo 149451, NOLO final flight testing, China Lake, 19 December 1984. Official U.S. Navy photo, Duncan Curtis collection.

QF drone control console used to control the QF-4 Phantoms and other FSAT targets, China Lake, circa 1984. Official U. S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake QF-4B Phantom II BuNo 149452, NWC-404, Armitage Field, China Lake, circa 1985. Photo Ron Cheshire via Duncan Curtis.

NWC China Lake QF-4B Phantom II BuNo 149452, NWC-404, in-flight over Armitage Field, China Lake, ca. 1984/1985. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake QT-38A Talon s/n 59-1604, NWC-382, on the ramp next to T-38A s/n 67-14949, location unknown. TW-4 Beeech T-44A Pegasus in the background. circa 1984.