The Department of Defense Laboratory System is a network of scientific research facilities that support the mission of national defense. There are several synonyms for this system, including Defense Laboratory Enterprise, DOD Research and Development Centers, Military Research Laboratories, and DOD Science and Technology Community. Each of these terms refers to the same essential network of laboratories and researchers working to develop advanced technologies and tactics for the protection of the United States and its interests. Whether you refer to it as the Department of Defense Laboratory System or one of its many synonyms, its importance in maintaining national security cannot be overstated.