File:FIRST TEST SHOT OF THE VAL AT THE DEDICATION CEREMONIES AS SEEN FROM A FIXED CAMERA STATION, May 7, 1948. (Original photograph in possession of Dave Willis, San Diego, HAER CAL,19-AZUSA.V,1A-75.tif

U.S. Navy Variable Angle Launcher Complex — at the Morris Reservoir in the San Gabriel Mountains, within Los Angeles County, California.

• Image: HAER—Historic American Engineering Record of California.

• Significance: Morris Dam Test Facility (MDTF) was built at the Morris Dam Reservoir for the purpose of obtaining basic hydrodynamic data for use in design and development of Naval Ordinance, particularly air-to-water projectiles. The Variable-Angle Launcher (VAL) and its predecessor, the Fixed-Angle Launder (FAL) were a consolidated effort between the scientific and military research and development communities. The VAL was the only structure in the nation where full scale, air launched projectiles could be tested at high velocities and variable entry angles into a body of water. MDTF served as a valuable resource during WWII and the Cold War era, spanning over 50 years. This is a unique complex where the setting has been unaltered by major modern development. The design is unique and all of its material is original. The components exhibit high quality, professional workmanship typical of contemporary naval military facilities. The facility has retained its overall feeling and appearance from the Cold War Era maintaining a strong sense of time and place.
• Survey number: HAER CA-169-A
• Building/structure dates: 1948 Initial Construction