The Detachment can trace its roots back to the Second World War, albeit under many different titles and organisations, but it finally formed as one unit at RAF Wyton in 1971. It subsequently moved to RAF Waddington in 1995. However, throughout its history there have been 2 clear threads that are still Engineered Radio Installation Modifications, it maintains an in-Service capability to develop and introduce new airborne electronic equipment into Service. Hence, the Detachment provides the RAF with a unique capability to design, develop and install avionic equipment to match operational priorities and time scales.

The Detachment's primary role is to support 51 Squadron, but it is also tasked by aircraft sponsors and support authorities of all 3 Services to introduce new equipment on both fixed and rotary winged aircraft.

The Detachment has a full range of support services to enable it to react quickly, these include:

a. Drawing offices; an environmental test bay; design and research laboratories.

b. A schedule writing section.

c. A school.

d. A rear crew trainer and servicing bays.

e. Machine, airframe and avionics workshops.

f. A software support team.

g. Stress and weight balance specialists.

In general, civilian scientific and engineering staff carry out design and development work, with manufacture and installation aspects being undertaken by Service personnel.discernible today: Electronic Warfare and General Avionics. As the RAF Development Unit for Service