Defence Research Agency (United Kingdom)

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. In April 1995, the DRA was combined with five other MOD establishments to form the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.

History

The DRA was formed on 1 April 1991 as an amalgamation of the following Defence Research Establishments:

Admiralty Research Establishment – major sites Portsdown, Hampshire and Southwell, Dorset
Royal Aircraft Establishment – major site Farnborough, Hampshire
Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment – major site Boscombe Down
Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment – major site Fort Halstead, Kent
Royal Signals and Radar Establishment – major site Malvern, Worcestershire

DRA's headquarters was created at the RAE site at Farnborough, but the other major sites maintained a great deal of independence.
DRA's first Chief Executive was Nigel Hughes, followed by Sir John Chisholm who took over in August 1991.
In April 1995, the DRA was combined with five other MOD establishments to form the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, DRA's John Chisholm becoming Chief Executive of the enlarged DERA.