In The site includes multiple high bay buildings and airfield access with flyaway capability. Their dispersion along the air routes, their infrequent use, and their U.S. government ownership made them ideal for use by military aircraft. The facility became United States Air Force Plant 42 in the early 1950s and has been serving the Air Force and its contractors ever since. Northrop Grumman's B-2 final assembly and modification facility is at Palmdale. "Plant 42 is often referred to as the 'downtown' Air Force. (function(src){var a=document.createElement("script");a.type="text/javascript";a.async=true;a.src=src;var b=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];b.parentNode.insertBefore(a,b)})("//experience.tinypass.com/xbuilder/experience/load?aid=bYdYZQml5V"); With 9,000 employees, Air Force Plant 42 is the Antelope Valley's second-largest employer, after Edwards Air Force Base. The western border is Sierra Highway, and the Plant extends east to around 40th Street East south of Avenue N to Avenue P and 50th Street East north of Avenue N to Columbia Way (Avenue M).[1]. Page last modified: Our location puts us strategically in the heart of the Lancaster/Palmdale communities in the Aerospace Valley,” said Dr. David Smith, Air Force Plant 42 Director. The historic Plant 42 is the birthplace of all the Air Force’s B-2 Spirits, and where the first-ever Spirit conducted its maiden flight more than 30 years ago on July 17, 1989. Air Force Plant 42 is at Palmdale, CA, north of Pasadena in Los Angeles County. The land which became Plant 42 fit these criteria. Since then, the plant has supported facilities for the production, engineering, final assembly and flight testing of high performance aircraft. The vertical tail (including rudder/speed brake) were manufactured by Fairchild Republic, Farmingdale, Long Island, N.Y., and transported overland to Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility. With USAF encouragement, Lockheed signed a lease in 1956 for 237 acres to use Palmdale Airport for final assembly and flight testing. The body flap was manufactured at Rockwell International's Columbus, Ohio, facility and transported overland to Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility. Some of the plant's work involves production of spare parts for military aircraft, with other projects including maintenance and modification of aircraft such as the B-2 bomber and F-117 stealth fighter, and production of the Global Hawk and other unmanned craft. The U.S. Air Force Plant 42 (Plant 42) which is in the Antelope Valley about 1.5 miles northeast of Palmdale and 3 miles southeast of Lancaster in Los Angeles County. At its birth the plant was owned and operated by the U.S. Army, it was used by the Army and the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. } Plant 42 is a United States Air Force facility. script.setAttribute("onerror", "setNptTechAdblockerCookie(true);"); The plan includes a mix of commercial and organic sources for providing various functions and/or maintaining various components. NASA decided in February 2002 to shift space shuttle overhaul and modification work from Palmdale to Florida. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration had been paying the Air Force for use of Plant 42 facilities for the shuttle work. The initial operational capability plan took effect May 1 and the full operational capability date is scheduled for Oct. 1, to avoid making financial changes mid-fiscal year. Plant 42 is a United States Air Force facility. The payload bay doors were manufactured at Rockwell International's Tulsa, Okla., facility and transported overland to Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility. The installation was reactivated by the Air Force in 1950 for use in final assembly and flight testing of jet aircraft, and was later repurchased from Los Angeles County. [1], Plant 42 as of August 2010 has updated their operation status from GOCO (Government Owned Contractor Operated) to a DoD operated facility. The upper and lower forward fuselage, crew compartment, forward reaction control system and aft fuselage were manufactured at Rockwell's Space Transportation Systems Division facility in Downey and were transported overland from Downey to Rockwell's Palmdale, Calif., assembly facility. Revised on: December 14, 2017 - 10:54am . The National Aeronautics and Space Administration had been paying the Air Force for use of Plant 42 facilities for the shuttle work. During the 1980s it was used by Lockheed to produce the U-B/TR-1 and support the SR-71. The concept for Air Force Plant 42 originated in the challenge of flight testing high performance jet aircraft over heavily populated areas. It is also where they all conduct PDM services under the auspices of the aircraft’s manufacturer, Northrop Grumman. Most of the facilities are owned by private contractors and serve as a manufacturing plant for aircraft used by the United States and their allies' militaries. In 1940, the Palmdale Airport was activated as a U.S. Army Air Corps Base for use as an emergency landing strip and for B-25 support training during World War II. For example, the engines are to be maintained by the Air Force, software support is to be provided by commercial sources, and airframe maintenance is to be provided by Northrop Grumman at Palmdale, California. NASA decided in February 2002 to shift space shuttle overhaul and modification work from Palmdale to Florida. Air Force Plant 42 is a music company based out of 800 Independence Ave Sw, Washington, DC, United States. Air Force Plant 42 is at Palmdale, CA, north of Pasadena in Los Angeles County. Northrop produced the F-5E, and Rockwell supported the B-1B Spirit. Air Force Operating Location Air Force Plant 42 changed leadership hands during a Change of Leadership Ceremony at Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, July 1. They were also transported by aircraft from Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility to the Kennedy Space Center. It is also where they all conduct PDM services under the auspices of the aircraft’s manufacturer, Northrop Grumman. Its present hangar was constructed in 1968 and the outer walls of the structure were put up in a matter of days. It is also where they all conduct PDM services under the auspices of the aircraft’s manufacturer, Northrop Grumman. The historic Plant 42 is the birthplace of all the Air Force’s B-2 Spirits, and where the first-ever Spirit conducted its maiden flight more than 30 years ago on July 17, 1989. NASA's Dryden Flight Research Facility at Edwards Air Force Base is the site of the mate-demate facility for mating or demating the spacecraft and the shuttle carrier aircraft. United States Air Force Plant 42 is a United States Government aircraft manufacturing plant, used by the United States Air Force. They were also transported by aircraft from Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility to the Kennedy Space Center. Some of the plant's work involves production of spare parts for military aircraft, with other projects including maintenance and modification of aircraft such as the B-2 spirit bomber and production of the Global Hawk and other unmanned craft. It has over 6,600 acres (the government owns 85%) and includes approximately 4.2 million square feet of floor space (the government owns 45%). The facility occupies over two million square feet of buildings. [1], Plant 42 controls over 5,800 acres (23 km²) of Mojave Desert land north of Avenue P and south of Columbia Way (Avenue M). It was listed in 1935 documentation as CAA Intermediate #5. Air Force Plant 42 | 12 followers on LinkedIn. Palmdale Airport in 1953, showing its World War II configuration, The origins of Plant 42 go to the early 1930s, when a small airstrip was built in the desert. Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility is where all the individual parts, pieces and systems of the Space Shuttle came together and were assembled and tested. Both are manned by retirees who had previously worked in the aerospace industry, some actually having worked on the aircraft displayed at the two parks. The Blackbird Airpark Museum is an extension of the AFFT Museum at Edwards AFB, while the Heritage Airpark is operated by the City of Palmdale. March 2001 Los Angeles County hired Tri-Star Marketing to prepare the presentations needed to bring air-passenger service back to Palmdale Regional Airport. All of the aircraft have been carefully restored for public display. During the 1980s it was used by Lockheed to produce the U-B/TR-1 and support the SR-71. A few of the plants later became Air Force bases. Gen. Matthew Higer, the 412th TW Commander. Its hangar originally was built for the Lockheed L-1011 Tristar passenger jet project. It is the Antelope Valley's second-largest employer, and is considered a Geographically Separated Component of Edwards Air Force Base, 23 miles northwest of the airport. Col. Dwayne Robison relinquished leadership to Dr. David Smith in a ceremony presided over by Brig. document.cookie = "__adblocker=" + (adblocker ? script.setAttribute("async", true); Following approval of the Master Plan in 1953, the Palmdale Airport officially became Air Force Plant 42; ownership of the installation was transferred to the Federal Government in 1954. Military Aviation . 05-07-2011 02:42:18 ZULU, Palmdale, California, United States 28 May 1994. Current projects include design, engineering, pre-production, production, modification, flight testing, servicing and repair mission related activities to the following: The Blackbird Airpark Museum part of Air Force Flight Test Museum and the adjacent Palmdale Plant 42 Heritage Airpark (Now "Joe Davies Heritage Airpark")[2] have recently been opened on Plant 42 property along Avenue P (both are free to the public) with displays of the SR-71, U-2, Century Series fighters and other aircraft designed, engineered, manufactured, and flight tested at its facilities. Upon completion, the spacecraft was turned over to NASA for transport overland from Palmdale to Edwards Air Force Base, California. There are eight separate production sites specially suited for advanced technology and/or "black" program projects. Approximately 250 major subcontractors supplied various systems and components to Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility. United States Air Force Plant 42 (Plant 42) (IATA: PMD, ICAO: KPMD, FAA Location identifier: PMD) is a United States Government aircraft manufacturing plant, used by the United States Air Force. With USAF encouragement, Lockheed, looked upon with favor by the Air Force at this time, established its permanent presence at Plant 42. The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 caused the Air Force to reactivate the property for use in final assembly and flight testing of military jet aircraft. Gen. Matthew Higer, the 412th Test Wing Commander. 1950s: This site is a federally-owned weapons manufacturing facility operated under contract by the Raytheon Company (formerly Hughes Missile Systems). It is the Antelope Valley's second-largest employer, and is considered a Geographically Separated Component of Edwards Air Force Base, 23 miles northwest of the airport. [1], Plant 42 has 3.2 million square feet of industrial space and has a replacement value of $1.1 billion. The concept for AFP 42 originated in the challenge of flight testing high performance jet aircraft over heavily populated areas. Col. Dwayne Robison relinquished leadership to Dr. David Smith in a ceremony presided over by … During the 1990s, airlines operated out of the Palmdale Regional Airport, comprised of the terminal and parking lot on leased land. Search for other Armed Forces Recruiting on The Real Yellow Pages®. Search below for homes for rent and apartments for rent nearby Air Force Plant 42. It is operated by Lockheed, Rockwell International, Northrop, and Nero. Northrop B-2A roll-out ceremony on Nov. 22, 1988 at USAF Plant 42, Palmdale, California. Air Force Plant 42 Northrop Grumman 1st Amend Audit - YouTube This is the Air Force Plant 42 Fire Department company profile. Approximately 250 major subcontractors supplied various systems and components to Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility. Both the Air Force and its aircraft contractors needed a location away from major population centers - due to sonic booms, other noises and security concerns - but close enough to the major centers of aircraft design and production, while having excellent flying weather the year around. Articles incorporating text from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, USAAF Fourth Air Force Replacement Training Stations, Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in California, Lockheed Martin-associated military facilities, California World War II airfield database, https://military.wikia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Plant_42?oldid=4314514, United States Government manufacturing facility, SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for infrared Astronomy) - NASA 747SP, Modernization of the Space Shuttle Columbia's cockpit area. Air Force Plant 42. Historically, ground water has been the primary source of water owing, in large part, to the scarcity of surface water in the region. Others are located on or adjacent to Air Force bases or other installations. The plan was to construct a facility that would meet the requirements of full war mobilization and augment the industrial production potential of the major airframe manufacturing industry in southern California.. (U.S. Air Force) 23 December 1974: The first of four prototype Rockwell B-1A Lancer Mach 2.2 strategic bombers, serial number 74-0158, made its first flight from Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California. First B-1B debuted outside a hangar in Palmdale, California, 1984. The vertical tail (including rudder/speed brake) were manufactured by Fairchild Republic, Farmingdale, Long Island, N.Y., and transported overland to Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility. The last airline pulled out in 1998. On Federal Government holidays both airparks are closed. would meet the requirements of full war mobilization and augment the industrial production potential of the major airframe manufacturing industry in southern California. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for U S Airforce Plant 42 locations in Palmdale, CA. document.cookie = "__adblocker=; expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 GMT; path=/"; The body flap was manufactured at Rockwell International's Columbus, Ohio, facility and transported overland to Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility. Consequently, the Air Force agreed to purchase the land from Los Angeles County in 1951. Raw photos from Gabriel's Plant 42 and China Lake photo mission (Sunday, May 17, 2020) Raw photos from another Plant 42 photo mission (Wednesday, May 20, 2020) Lockheed's famed Skunk Works (black project workers), which developed such aircraft as the U-2, SR-71 Blackbird and F-117 Nighthawk, is at Site 10 of the complex (actually private property with secure access to Plant 42 airfield), near Sierra Highway, and relocated to Plant 42 from its original Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport (now Bob Hope Airport) site in Burbank after the end of the Cold War. The Department of Defense, in February 1995, announced its plan for providing depot support for the B-2. d.setTime(d.getTime() + 60 * 60 * 24 * 2 * 1000); The midfuselage was manufactured by General Dynamics, San Diego, Calif., and transported overland to Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility. [3], In 1940, Palmdale Army Airfield was activated as a United States Army Air Corps (later Air Forces) airfield for use as an emergency landing strip and for B-25 Mitchell medium bomber support training during World War II. Col. Dwayne Robison relinquished leadership to Dr. David Smith in a ceremony presided over by Brig. The Enigmatic SR-72 And the Palmdale Sightings: What Do They Tell Us About America’s Secret Hypersonic Program? Some were purpose-built for their Air Force roles. Entrance plaza of the Lockheed Skunk Works, Palmdale, California. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at Air Force Plant 42 … The city of Los Angeles bought the land in the 1960s when it planned to build an airport in Palmdale, but the airport was never built. AFP 42 … Privately–run since 1954, the Air Force under the Obama administration chose to insource the contracted operations of the plant. For example, the engines are to be maintained by the Air Force, software support is to be provided by commercial sources, and airframe maintenance is to be provided by The first prototype Rockwell B-1A Lancer, 74-0158, takes off at Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California, 23 December 1974. It provided a pilot in distress with a better alternative than landing on a public road or a farmer's field. Northrop Grumman's B-2 final assembly and modification facility is at Palmdale. Plant 42 is owned by Detachment 1, Aeronautical Systems Center, based at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The listings nearby Air Force Plant 42 below can be sorted in order of closest proximity to Air Force Plant 42, by lowest to highest price, and more. The majority of the work is expected to be completed at Plant 42 in Palmdale, which is a 5,800 acre industrial park owned by the military, but leased to aerospace contractors. Los Angeles World Airports [LAWA] owns 17,000 acres east of Plant 42 that was acquired for an airport. It was one of many intermediate fields that were used as auxiliary fields or emergency landing fields by the AAF during World War II. EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, California -- Air Force Operating Location Air Force Plant 42 changed leadership hands during a Change of Leadership Ceremony at Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, July 1. The historic Plant 42 is the birthplace of all the Air Force’s B-2 Spirits, and where the first-ever Spirit conducted its maiden flight more than 30 years ago on July 17, 1989. The structures of the orbiter were manufactured at various companies under contract to Rockwell International's Space Transportation Systems Division, Downey, Calif. Over time, many of the facilities have gone on to be purchased by private operators, although a few still remain in operation as government facilities. Past projects included: This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/. “Plant 42 is often referred to as the ‘downtown’ Air Force,” Air Force Plant 42 Director Dr. David Smith said. Most of the facilities are owned by private contractors and serve as a manufacturing plant for aircraft used by the United States and their allies' militaries. It is also used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The midfuselage was manufactured by General Dynamics, San Diego, Calif., and transported overland to Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility. The upper and lower forward fuselage, crew compartment, forward reaction control system and aft fuselage were manufactured at Rockwell's Space Transportation Systems Division facility in Downey and were transported overland from Downey to Rockwell's Palmdale, Calif., assembly facility. The historic Plant 42 is the birthplace of all the Air Force’s B-2 Spirits, and where the first-ever Spirit conducted its maiden flight more than 30 years ago on July 17, 1989. “Plant 42 is often referred to as the ‘downtown’ Air Force. The plan was to construct a facility that Now it is run by DoD resources, with Detachment 1, Air Force Test Center in command. It is operated by Lockheed, Rockwell International, Northrop, and Nero. Site 9 is owned by Boeing North American and incorporates the former Rockwell's Area. 17 July 1965: At Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California, the second North American Aviation B-70 Valkyrie prototype, XB-70A-2-NA 62-0207, took off on its maiden flight enroute Edwards Air Force Base where it would continue the flight test program with its sister ship. During the existence of the United States Air Force, there have been many plants that have been owned by the service and were operated by private contractors.These facilities were designed so that they would build aircraft parts for the government. The plan includes a mix of commercial and organic sources for providing various functions and/or maintaining various components. “As such, our personnel and more importantly our … Plant 42 and Palmdale Regional Airport (PMD) are separate facilities that share a common runway at the site. Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 510: Unable to find the specified location map definition: "Module:Location map/data/California" does not exist. The installation was declared a surplus facility in 1946 and was purchased by Los Angeles County for use as a municipal airport. The two airparks are located at Avenue P and 25th Street East near Site 9. Upon completion, the spacecraft was turned over to NASA for transport overland from Palmdale to Edwards Air Force Base, California. WARNING**WARNING**WARNING You are accessing a U.S. Government information system, which includes (1) this computer, (2) this computer network, (3) all computers connected to this network, and (4) all devices and storage media attached to this network or to a computer on this network. “Our location puts us strategically in the heart of the Lancaster/Palmdale communities in the Aerospace Valley. Gen. Matthew Higer, the 412th TW Commander. The Air Force awarded a contract to Lockheed Aircraft to develop the master plan for the site. The Blackbird Air Park and the Air Force Flight Test Museum at the south entrance of the Plant 42 complex. NASA's Dryden Flight Research Facility at Edwards Air Force Base is the site of the mate-demate facility for mating or demating the spacecraft and the shuttle carrier aircraft. In 1951, the USAF purchased the site and awarded a contract to Lockheed Aircraft to develop the master plan for the site. Col. Dwayne Robison relinquished leadership to Dr. David Smith in a ceremony presided over by … The structures of the orbiter were manufactured at various companies under contract to Rockwell International's Space Transportation Systems Division, Downey, Calif. Palmdale Army Airfield was declared a surplus facility in 1946 and was purchased by Los Angeles County for use as a municipal airport. October 12, 2017 Tom Demerly. It is also where they all conduct PDM services under the auspices of the aircraft’s manufacturer, Northrop Grumman. Air Force Plant 42 Fire Department Air Force Plant 42 Fire Department is a Fire Department located in Palmdale, LOS ANGELES County, in the State of CA. Currently the most well–known contractors at Plant 42 are Boeing, Lockheed Martin (home of the legendary Skunk Works), and Northrop Grumman. The aft orbital maneuvering system/reaction control system pods were manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, St. Louis, Mo., and transported by aircraft to Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility. Get reviews, hours, directions, coupons and more for U S Airforce Plant 42 at 2501 E Avenue P, Palmdale, CA 93550. Northrop Grumman at Palmdale, California. Northrop produced the F-5E, and Rockwell supported the B-1B. The payload bay doors were manufactured at Rockwell International's Tulsa, Okla., facility and transported overland to Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility. The wings (including elevons) were manufactured by Grumman, Bethpage, Long Island, N.Y., and transported by ship from New York via the Panama Canal to Long Beach, Calif., and then transported overland to Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility. EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Operating Location Air Force Plant 42 has begun its transition from Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, to the 412th Test Wing. Air Force Operating Location Air Force Plant 42 changed leadership hands during a Change of Leadership Ceremony at Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., July 1, 2020. "true" : "false") + "; expires=" + d.toUTCString() + "; path=/"; Many of the plants started their military careers in W.W.II, as government- or contractor-owned defense plants. The facility also has one of the heaviest load-bearing runways in the world. document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(script); The Palmdale factory is part of the Air Force’s massive Plant 42 operation, where some of the nation’s most secret warplanes have been built, including Northrop’s flying wing B … Operating hours of the airparks are the same - Friday through Sunday (except in inclement weather) from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Pacific Time. The facility is located in the Antelope Valley, approximately 60 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Plant 42 has 3.2 million square feet of industrial space and has a r… var d = new Date(); Information about Air Force Plant 42 Fire Department It signed a lease in 1956 for 237 acres to use Palmdale Airport for final assembly and flight testing. Glassdoor gives you an inside look at what it's like to work at Air Force Plant 42 Fire Department, including salaries, reviews, office photos, and more. The Department of Defense, in February 1995, announced its plan for providing depot support for the B-2. Plant 42 and Palmdale Regional Airport (PMD) are separate facilities that share a … It acted as a sub-base for Muroc Army Airfield and Hammer Army Airfield.[3]. var setNptTechAdblockerCookie = function(adblocker) { Plant 42 has 3.2 million square feet of industrial space and has a replacement value of $1.1 billion. AFP 42 is located in the northeastern portion of Los Angeles County, California, within the Antelope Valley of the Mojave Desert, approximately 80 miles north of Los Angeles. Find 1 listings related to U S Airforce Plant 42 in Palmdale on YP.com.  As such, our personnel, and more importantly our … U.S. Air Force Plant 44 | Site History. var script = document.createElement("script"); The aft orbital maneuvering system/reaction control system pods were manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, St. Louis, Mo., and transported by aircraft to Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility. Sites 1 - 8 are owned specifically by the Air Force but are contracted out. The wings (including elevons) were manufactured by Grumman, Bethpage, Long Island, N.Y., and transported by ship from New York via the Panama Canal to Long Beach, Calif., and then transported overland to Rockwell's Palmdale assembly facility. 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