EXPLORE OUR EXHIBITS
The China Lake Museum is not just a collection of artifacts. It is the story of a place where scientists, engineers, military personnel, and civilians worked together to solve problems, developing the weapons and systems needed by our military.
Our exhibits bring that story to life through the largest collection of tactical air-launched weapons and related exhibits. Together, they show how China Lake became the center of excellence for air-launched weapons and grew into one of the nation’s leading research, development, test, and evaluation centers.
A CLOSER LOOK AT OUR EXHIBITS
Explore a selection of aircraft, rockets, guided weapons, and other artifacts on display at the China Lake Museum.
WEAPON SYSTEMS
Skipper
Sparrow
Tiny Tim
AGILE
AMRAAM
Phoenix
AIRCRAFT
T-39D Sabreliner
F/A-18A Hornet
F11F-1F Super Tiger
AV-8B Harrier
OTHER STORIES FROM CHINA LAKE
Early Cal Tech Rocket Test
Shrike Team
Echo Range Flyover
SNORT Track
Arena warhead testing
RARE AND LOCAL STORIES
Many of China Lake's most important stories can only be told here. The museum preserves locally developed technology, photographs, documents, prototypes, and personal memories that connect visitors to the people, the desert, and the innovations that shaped modern naval aviation.
DIGITAL ARCHIVE
Continue exploring long after your museum visit. The China Lake Museum's Digital Archive provides online access to thousands of historic photographs, documents, newspapers, and collection records that preserve the people, places, and innovations of China Lake.
FEATURED COLLECTION
The Rocketeer Newspaper Archive
Browse decades of weekly newspapers documenting life, innovation, and major events at China Lake from the 1950s through the 1990s.