The aim of this course is to provide students with the capability to conduct conceptual design, trade studies, requirements generation and acquisition decision on air warfare platforms.

Delegates will require a basic existing knowledge in the areas of subsonic, transonic and supersonic aerodynamics; flight mechanics and dynamics alongside a basic knowledge of radar cross section theory.


At a glance

  • Dates
    • Please enquire for course dates
  • Duration5 days
  • LocationCranfield University at Shrivenham
  • Cost£1,925

What you will learn

On successful completion of the course you will be able to:

  • Explain and quantify the trends in fast jet design and how these are exploited in air operations.
  • Describe the methods and difficulties to satisfy different design requirements for current and future aerial warfare.
  • Explain the concept of an air engagement, specific excess power, aircraft performance estimation and comparison.
  • Quantify the performance characteristics attainable from different aerodynamic, structural and flight dynamic point-of-view.
  • Describe the techniques for RCS and thermal signature reduction and quantify the effect of low observable technology in aircraft performance and design
  • Use concepts of manoeuvrability, agility metrics, and energy level to establish the capabilities and applications of fighter jets.
  • Identify current and future problems in aerial warfare and propose and discuss solutions.
  • Describe the effect of fast jet performance in operational scenarios.
  • Outline air-to-air and air-to-ground operational profiles and translate them into operational requirements.
  • Analyse the basic performance of current fast  jets.
  • Deduce information on the likely capabilities and limitations of fast jets based on open source data.
  • Select and assess appropriate requirements for fast jet design depending on operational specifications.
  • Draft conceptual design and trade-off studies, operational requirements, acquisition decisions and airframe analysis, and source selection.
  • Understand and portray aerial warfare operations, provide threat and scenario definitions and set-ups, generate appropriate operational concepts in defined mission areas.
  • Analytical skills in missile flights dynamics and aerial warfare engagements.

Core content

Aerial Warfare Introduction: analysis of the combat engagements with emphasis on the evolution of the engineering solutions and warfare doctrines.

Flight Dynamic Aspects of Fast Jets: analysis of fast jet performance, manoeuvrability, agility metrics, endurance, speed, flight characteristics and definition of specific excess power. Comparative fast jet performance analysis will also be covered .

Fast Jet Aerodynamics: analysis of the aerodynamic solutions in contemporary and future fast jets. High angle of attack aerodynamics, advanced supersonic aerodynamics, advance transonic aerodynamics, air intake and engine integration, control surfaces sizing and integration, exhaust design and dynamics.

Integration of Low Observability Requirements in Airframe Design: Trade-off analysis between aerodynamics and low observability requirements, weapon-bays aerodynamics and stealth optimal geometries.

Jet Fighter Mission Engineering Analysis: The engineering behind aerial warfare:, definition of fundamental mission profiles (air superiority, strike, suppression of enemy air defences, anti-ship, close air support, counter air, etc), gun line-of-sight (LOS) engagements, missile LOS and beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements, ground and maritime attack.

Future Trends: Second generation stealth design, UCAV and optionally-manned configurations, next-generation aerodynamic solutions, multi-point design optimisation and hypersonic platforms.
Case Study Workshop: Compulsory group learning exercise using case study, including presentation by attendants of a solution to a problem assigned to each group.

Who should attend

This course is suitable for those delegates with an existing knowledge of aerodynamics, flight mechanics and dynamics who require to further develop their knowledge in aerial warfare,fast jet dynamics and low observability airframe design.

Speakers

David Bacci

Ioannis Vagias

Location and travel

Cranfield Defence and Security (CDS) is a Cranfield School based at the Ministry of Defence establishment on the Oxfordshire/Wiltshire borders.

Shrivenham itself lies in the picturesque Vale of the White Horse, close to the M4 motorway which links London and South Wales. It is 7 miles from Swindon, the nearest town, which lies off the M4 at the hub of Britain’s motorway network.

Bath, Cheltenham, Bristol and Oxford are all within an hour’s drive and London less than two hours away by car.

All visitors must be pre-booked in at reception by the person they are visiting on the campus.

For further location and travel details


How to apply

To apply for this course please use the online application form.

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.