This module can be taken as a Short Course for Credit or Standalone Short Course.

To provide the students with an understanding of the principles, design and analysis of EO/IR and laser technologies. This is in the context of STA and homing and beam-riding methods for GW applications. Students will then be able to relate this to the design and analysis of a GWS.

At a glance

  • Dates
    • 09 - 13 Dec 2024
  • Duration5 days
  • LocationCranfield University at Shrivenham
  • Cost£2,350 - Short Course for Credit fee 

    £2,100 - Standalone Short Course fee  Concessions available

Course structure

Classroom lectures and tutorials. Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)-directed study.

What you will learn

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

  • Assess the performance of EO/IR systems based on analysis of the underlying principles and technology,
  • Evaluate and justify the choices of EO/IR systems for the STA and homing in a Guided Weapon system,
  • Critically assess the performance of laser-based technologies in the context of target acquisition, designation, beam riding.

Core content

EO/IR Theory:

  • Radiometry and power calculations,
  • Signature generation (solid and gaseous) contrast,
  • Minimum resolvable temperature difference,
  • Atmospheric effects,
  • Detector type (thermal, photon, two dimensional arrays, fibre sensors),
  • Cooling requirements,
  • Simple electronic processing,
  • Modulation transfer function,
  • Minimum resolvable temperature difference,
  • Fundamentals of optical systems,
  • Fundamentals of digital image processing,
  • Detector performance characteristics,
  • Modulation transfer function,
  • Laser systems (principles and applications).

 

EO/IR Application:

  • EO/IR seeker systems,
  • EO/IR STA systems,
  • Laser-based STA,
  • Designation and beam riding emitter and sensor methods.

Upgrade to a professional qualification

When taken as a Short Course for Credit, 10 credit points can be put towards the Guided Weapon Systems MSc.

Find out more about short course credit points.



Concessions

A limited number of MOD sponsored places are available

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.


How to apply

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

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.