Defence Research Establishment

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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.

[edit] 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 Motor Establishment and became the Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment (PERME). PERME became part of RARDE.

[edit] Amalgamation into DERA and split into QinetiQ and Dstl

Some of these establishments were merged together 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.