Editing Defence Research Establishments

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The '''Defence Research Establishments''' were a number of separate UK [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|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 [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] and the [[War Office]], had their own research establishments; although some establishments had tri-service functions.

==World War II==
At the beginning of [[World War II]] there were about a dozen research and development establishments. The main ones were:
* The [[Royal Aircraft Establishment]] - Air
* The [[Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment]] - Air
* The [[Telecommunications Research Establishment]] - Air
* The [[Admiralty Research Laboratory]] - 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]] and became the [[Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment]] ('''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 in 1991 to form the [[Defence Research Agency]] ('''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]].

==References==
* [[Michael Postan|Postan, M.M.]], Hay, D. and Scott, J.D. (1964). ''Design and Development of Weapons: Studies in Governmental and Industrial Organisation''. ([[History of the Second World War#United Kingdom Civil Series|History of the Second World War: United Kingdom Civil Series]]). London: [[Her Majesty's Stationery Office]] and Longmans, Green and Co.

==See also==
* [[Royal Aircraft Establishment]] (RAE)
* [[Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment]] (RARDE)
* [[Royal Signals and Radar Establishment]] (RSRE)

[[Category:Government munitions production in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Military research establishments of the United Kingdom]]