Defence Research Establishment
Encyclopedia
The Defence Research Establishments were a number of separate UK Ministry of Defence
Research Establishments, dating back to World War II
, World War I
, or even earlier. Each establishment had its own head; known as the Director or the Superintendent. Prior to the formation of the Ministry of Defence each of the three Services, i.e. the Royal Air Force
, the Admiralty
and the War Office
, had their own research establishments; although some establishments had tri-service functions.
there were about a dozen research and development establishments. The main ones were:
For example, the Explosives Research and Development Establishment (ERDE), merged with the Rocket Propulsion Establishment
and became the Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment
(PERME). PERME became part of the Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment (RARDE).
(DRA). More were added to DRA in 1995 to form the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
(DERA).
DERA was split up in the early 2000s, with the major part becoming known as QinetiQ
and the more sensitive parts retained as Dstl
.
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
Research Establishments, dating back to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, or even earlier. Each establishment had its own head; known as the Director or the Superintendent. Prior to the formation of the Ministry of Defence each of the three Services, i.e. the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
and the War Office
War Office
The War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
, had their own research establishments; although some establishments had tri-service functions.
World War II
At the beginning of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
there were about a dozen research and development establishments. The main ones were:
- The Royal Aircraft EstablishmentRoyal Aircraft EstablishmentThe Royal Aircraft Establishment , was a British research establishment, known by several different names during its history, that eventually came under the aegis of the UK Ministry of Defence , before finally losing its identity in mergers with other institutions.The first site was at Farnborough...
- Air - The Aeroplane and Armament Experimental EstablishmentAeroplane and Armament Experimental EstablishmentThe Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment was a research facility for British military aviation from 1918 to 1992.-History:...
- Air - The Admiralty Research LaboratoryAdmiralty Research LaboratoryThe Admiralty Research Laboratory, or ARL, was a research laboratory that supported the work of the UK Admiralty in Teddington, London, England....
- Sea - The Admiralty Compass Observatory - Sea
- The Naval Construction Research Establishment - Sea
- The Armaments Research Department - Triservice
Formation, merging and breakup
Many establishments were formed, merged or changed their names over time to meet the needs of the UK Government at the time. These changes also involved the opening of new sites, operating across multiple sites, change of site location; and closing of sites.For example, the Explosives Research and Development Establishment (ERDE), merged with the Rocket Propulsion Establishment
Rocket Propulsion Establishment
The Rocket Propulsion Establishment at Westcott, Buckinghamshire on the site of the former RAF Westcott has made a number of notable contributions in the field of rocket propulsion, including input on the rocket design for the Blue Streak missile and the propulsion systems on Chevaline...
and became the Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment
Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment
Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment, usually known for brevity as PERME, operated at two sites:* Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills, known from 1977 as PERME Waltham Abbey...
(PERME). PERME became part of the Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment (RARDE).
Amalgamation into DERA and split into QinetiQ and Dstl
Some of these establishments were merged together in 1991 to form the Defence Research AgencyDefence Research Agency
The Defence Research Agency , was an executive agency of the UK Ministry of Defence from April 1991 until April 1995. At the time the DRA was Britain's largest science and technology organisation...
(DRA). More were added to DRA in 1995 to form the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency was a part of the UK Ministry of Defence until July 2, 2001. At the time it was the United Kingdom's largest science and technology organisation...
(DERA).
DERA was split up in the early 2000s, with the major part becoming known as QinetiQ
QinetiQ
Qinetiq is a British global defence technology company, formed from the greater part of the former UK government agency, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency , when it was split up in June 2001...
and the more sensitive parts retained as Dstl
Dstl
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory is a trading fund of the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom. Responsibility for Dstl lies with the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, currently Peter Luff....
.
See also
- Royal Aircraft EstablishmentRoyal Aircraft EstablishmentThe Royal Aircraft Establishment , was a British research establishment, known by several different names during its history, that eventually came under the aegis of the UK Ministry of Defence , before finally losing its identity in mergers with other institutions.The first site was at Farnborough...
(RAE) - Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment (RARDE)
- Royal Signals and Radar EstablishmentRoyal Signals and Radar EstablishmentThe Royal Signals and Radar Establishment was a scientific research establishment within the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom, located primarily at Malvern in Worcestershire. It was formed in 1976 in an amalgamation of earlier research establishments including the Royal Radar Establishment...
(RSRE)