#1526 NAWS China Lake
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Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1526 - VX-31 Dust Devils, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.
Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake was established as the Naval Ordnance Test Station in November 1943. Its primary function has always been the research, development and testing of weapons and software. In January 1992, all Naval weapons research and development was consolidated at the re-designated Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS), China Lake. On 8 May 1995, the Chief of Naval Operations designated the Aircraft Department of NAWS, China Lake, California, as the Naval Weapons Test Squadron (NWTS), China Lake, California. On 1 May 2002, NWTS China Lake was re-designated VX-31, the "Dust Devils". The Dust Devils are the Navy’s flight and ground test support activity for all Navy and Marine Corps aircraft and aircraft functions, engaged in research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) of weapons and weapons systems support. The Dust Devils also provide facility and aircrew support to foreign countries in their aircraft system validation programs. The Dust Devils have been responsible for the development of every major weapon and software upgrade throughout the Department of the Navy. Currently, VX-31 maintains a stable of 32 highly instrumented aircraft to support its mission. Throughout its history, the Dust Devils have provided direct support for numerous aircraft, but currently support testing for: F/A-18A-F, EA-18G, AV-8B, MH-60S and F-35. Major weapons programs include: AARGM, HARM, JSOW, JDAM, LGB, SLAM-ER, SDBII, Tomahawk, Maverick, AMRAAM, and Sidewinder programs. Unique in the Navy, the Dust Devils also provide Search and Rescue services for the entire R-2508 complex with a team of dedicated active duty and civilian personnel. Over the last 23 years, they have flown 66 real world Search and Rescue missions for military and civilian alike.