Weapons Research Establishment
WRE
1955 – 1978
Principal defence research establishment at Salisbury, South Australia, conducting guided-weapons, rocketry, electronics and aerodynamics research and running trials at the Woomera range; it built and launched WRESAT, Australia's first satellite, in 1967.
How it came into existence
Formed in 1955 within the Department of Supply's Australian Defence Scientific Service by amalgamating the Long Range Weapons Establishment with the electronics, propulsion, high-speed aerodynamics and chemical engineering research laboratories at Salisbury.
- Woomera range and trials support
- Guided-weapons research
Changes during its life
- 12 June 1974Transferred from the abolished Department of Supply to the Department of Defence, becoming part of the new Defence Science and Technology Organisation.
How it ended
Dissolved in 1978, its divisions being reconstituted as separate laboratories of the Defence Research Centre Salisbury within the Defence Science and Technology Organisation.
- Salisbury weapons, electronics and trials research laboratories
The Weapons Research Establishment was dissolved and its divisions reconstituted as the four laboratories of the centre.
Main functions
- Guided-weapons research and development
- Woomera range trials
- Electronics and radar research
- Rocketry and propulsion research
- Upper-atmosphere and space research
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Defence.
Lineage
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Sources
Other sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.