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2ND DRAFT
electronics, design of fighting vehicles and vessels) and ranges
through basic and applied research to exploratory development work.
Research in areas of known defence interest is particularly
emphasised.
4. The main objectives of the research programme are to examine
how new techniques or advances in technology might be applied to
improve the military capability of the Services.
In this respect.
the programme assists in operational and systems studies of future
weapons systems and their likely capabilities in relation to the
foreseen requirements of the Services. This enables prospective
technical problems to be tackled in advance, thus providing for the
orderly and successful development of weapons and equipment.
RE-ORGANISATION OF R & D ESTABLISHMENTS
5. The objective of the rationalisation of R & D Establishments
is the creation of four 'Systems Establishments', each concerned
with one of the main defence environments
sea, land, air and
underwater.
Where work on certain technologies, such as electronics
and the sub-systems based on them, is common to all four environments,
the Systems Establishments are complemented and supported by a
number of 'Technology' Establishments, manned by experts in the
relevant fields.
6.
The Systems Establishments are responsible for supporting the
development of major weapons systems. They assist the appropriate
United Kingdom Service or Services in evaluating the likely
utility of such weapons systems and equipment.
The
co-ordination of the development of the sub-systems of a proposed
new weapon or equipment is highly specialised, vital to the overall
success of the project, and requires the closest working relation-
ship between R & D Establishments, industry and the Services.
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