It was in 1959 the National Aeronautical Research Laboratory (NARL) set up in New Delhi and later on moved in to Bangalore to become the National Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL) in 1960. On 1st April 1993 the laboratory has re- named as National Aerospace Laboratory,(NAL) keeping in view of its ever widening mandate. In its 40 years of existence the NAL has taken India to the highest of technological advancement.

It was not an easy beginning for NAL when it was established. The first challenge was the setting up of a trisonic/supersonic wind tonal, the most essential part of aerodynamic research. Wind tonal is a device which provide air stream of known and steady conditions in which aerodynamic studies are carried out. The NAL was refused United Nation's Special Fund (UNSF) to set up wind tonal, as this, they thought, would be used for defense research programme. However, NAL managed to get Canadian assistance very soon and completed the project successfully. Today NAL is one of the bests in making wind tonal for any kind of aerodynamic research in the country.

Over the years the NAL has become a major center for design and development of civil aircraft. In 1987 NAL fabricated India's first Light Canard Research Aircraft (LCRA). The successful fabrication of LCRA from foam, fiber -glass and resin gave the NAL scientists a moral boost and a significant understanding of the properties and performance of composite materials. This has also helped scientists to understand challenges involved in their fabrication. This was a sort of orientation for scientists at NAL for developing light and combat aircraft.

LCRA was the precursor to two major aircraft development programme. SARAS, a nine to fourteen seater multi-role light transport aircraft (LTA) and HANSA, an all-composite light trainer aircraft. HANSA is the first Indian made all composite light trainer aircraft, ideal for training, sports and hobby flying. This was designed, fabricated, and tested by NAL. This will be commercially produced by NAL's partner in the project, Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited (TAAL) at its modern factory near Bangalore

Hansa is a technologically advance and cost effective two seater trainer aircraft fabricated completely with composite materials, that make it very light. The 560 Kg aircraft has a fuel carrying capacity of 70 kg. The aircraft has been tested with a specially designed Lightning Protection System at the center for Airborne Systems , Bangalore. When TAAL starts producing HANSA, it will fulfil a long left need of Indian flying clubs for a modern trainer aircraft.

The SARAS project was delayed because of lack of fund. But the Technology Development Board (TDB) of Department of Science and Technology, has agreed to support the project and soon this could also be a reality. NAL is one of the few government run R&D organizations to get Technology Development Fund from TDB.

Not only the aircraft, the NAL has also helped the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to make highly sophisticated mirrors to take good satellite pictures. NAL took up the task of developing ultra polished aluminum mirrors for ISRO's INSAT series of satellites. Apart from a very satisfactory performance on the INSAT 2A and 2B satellites, NAL's mirrors helped ISRO to save Rs 10 crores per satellite.

NAL has managed to get international R&D contract to study of the aircraft wake vortex problem from Civil Aviation Authority of UK. NAL has successfully completed the first phase of the project and it has managed to get two more R&D contract from the same agency. A clear evidence of International recognition of NAL's capacity !.

Scientists at the NAL have developed readout systems for the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR)- commonly referred as the black boxes. NAL's systems are compatible with all Air India and Indian Airlines fleets. This has saved considerable foreign exchange to the country.

NAL is one of the 41 R&D institutions under the Council for Scientific and industrial Research (CSIR). NAL is flying high, taking India to the highest of technological developments in the areas of aeronautical research. In the coming years , the organisation would definitely play a major role in the emerging civil aviation market in the country.