Please go to the 'Upgrade to a professional qualification' section for more information.
The course covers the engineering and technology behind large calibre guns and cannons, as well as barrel strength, recoil systems, gun dynamics and feedback control for gun accuracy.
The objective of the course is to provide an introduction to the engineering and technology that makes guns possible, and the processes and calculations that must be gone through in the design of a gun.
To do this, the course builds a fundamental understanding of the elements that make up a gun system and the principles of gun dynamics and weapon control and the effect they have on the accuracy and consistency of a gun. The theme of gun control is continued with an overview of gun barrels, breeches, recoil systems and stability mechanism including their method of operation and the factors which affect the hit probability of a gun system including identifying the key components of an error budget. The design principals of both direct and indirect fire gun ammunition will be introduced along with the operating mechanisms of cannon systems.
Lectures are delivered at MSc standard by Cranfield University academics and Military Subject Matter Experts using static displays of military equipment to aid the teaching environment.
At a glance
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- Dates
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- Please enquire for course dates
- Duration5 days
- LocationCranfield University at Shrivenham
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Cost£2,350 - Short Course for Credit fee
£1,925 - Standalone Short Course fee
Course structure
The course is run once each year. Each course lasts for 5 days.What you will learn
The objective of the course is to provide an introduction to the engineering and technology that makes guns possible, and the processes and calculations that must be gone through in the design of a gun.
On successful completion of this course you will be able to:
- Describe and identify the elements that make up a gun system,
- Explain the fundamentals of gun dynamics and weapon control applied to guns and the effect they have on the accuracy and consistency,
- Demonstrate an understanding of the current technology applied to; gun barrels, breeches, recoil systems and stability mechanism including their method of operation,
- Describe the factors which affect the hit probability of a gun system and be able to identify the key components of an error budget,
- Technically evaluate the current technology covering the design of cannon, their operating mechanisms and ammunition,
- Understand the design principals of both direct and indirect fire gun ammunition.
Core content
Course topics include:
- Build-up of a gun,
- Target analysis,
- Fire control systems,
- Gun dynamics,
- Gun control systems.
Upgrade to a professional qualification
When taken as a Short Course for Credit, 10 credit points can be put towards either Defence and Security (Engineering) MSc, Gun Systems Design MSc or the Military Vehicle Technology MSc.
Find out more about short course credit points.
Who should attend
The course is intended to provide engineers concerned with the design and development of weapon systems with an understanding of the systems' technology employed. The course would also benefit to those involved in requirements capture and procurement of weapon systems.
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.
Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.
