he Aerosystems course aims to educate on the procurement, testing, and evaluation of systems fitted to air platforms. Ultimately it results in increasing the mission capability of air power. To achieve this, the course offers a range of technical modules and topics that are integrated together to enhance the analysis and evaluation of performance of an air system across all operational domains (land, sea and air).
The course has many parallels with the Military Electronics Systems Engineering (MESE) MSc course at Shrivenham and shares modules. The technical topics include the following: Sensors: (radar, Electro-Optics and Infra-Red), Communications (information networks), signal processing, Platforms: Uninhabited Aircraft Systems / Remotely Operated Aircraft Systems (UAS/RPAS), guided weapon systems, electronic warfare, foundations of modelling and simulation, the application of simulation to areas such as military training, operational analysis, rapid prototyping, doctrine development and mission planning
The number of students attending is consistent ranging between ten to fifteen every year from UK Airforce, UK Navy and Australian Airforce.
Overview
- Start dateAugust
- DurationThree years part-time; UK MOD students are normally expected to complete the taught phase within the first 11-months of their registration, whereas self-funded students will be expected to complete the taught phase in the first 2-year period and their individual project, or thesis, during year 3.
- DeliveryPart-time students register for the course in August and are expected to complete the course within three years. Part-time students have 1 year to complete their project. The taught phase for each 10-credit module is usually completed within one week. There is structured teaching to allow time for more independent learning and reflection.
- QualificationMSc
- Study typePart-time
- CampusCranfield University at Shrivenham
Who is it for?
The course is taught through lectures, supported with tutorials, formative assessments and laboratory demonstrations. The students are expected to develop their practice in expressing complex, scientific and technical concepts clearly within the Aerosystems framework in a high-pressure situation. This is a skill which is highly desirable to many of the job roles students will go onto after completing the course.
In addition to the taught phase modules, the MSc students are required to undertake research project with a Thesis document as the output. During the 1-1 supervisory interactions between the student and the supervisor(s) regular formative feedback will be provided.
The students will be assigned a personal academic year tutor when they commence their studies. The tutor’s responsibilities are to support the students learning during their time at Cranfield, and check they are on track with their studies. In cases where students are facing difficulties, the course director and SAS Lead will be informed, so that they can support and provide additional guidance.
Why this course?
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate remote sensor options and performance within a defence context including radar, electro-optics and infrared systems.
- Critically identify and analyse the signal processing methods encountered in sensor and communication and electronic warfare systems with an aim to enhance detection by such systems,
- Evaluate the suitability of electronic technologies and signal processing within the Aerosystems context,
- Relate theoretical concepts and principles for telecommunications, and information systems to networks in a modern military system,
- Apply critical analysis of Aerosystems networks to support information processing in the defence context to enhance network performance characteristics,
- Critically analyse the wider opportunities afforded by Modelling and Simulation in support of Defence needs,
- Critically evaluate threats to and methods for protecting Electro-optics/infra-red and Radar in defence,
- Analyse the application of Uninhabited Aircraft System (UAS) platforms and Guided Weapons (GW) systems in the Aerosystems environment,
- Propose and research a relevant project topic in Aerosystems and identify the context with suitable in-depth critical evaluation,
- Plan a research project with a well-defined and realisable timeframe, with suitable risk assessment and contingency planning with suitable demonstration of engagement in academic and professional experts,
- Provide an analysis of your critical assessment of factual, conceptual, theoretical knowledge and relate, when applicable, to existing AeroSystems technologies and place the outputs within the wider context of Aerosystems.
Course details
On completion of the 12 taught modules students engage with the academic team and project module lead to discuss the research project. The ILOs relating to the research project are 8-10 and successful completion of this will result in being awarded 80-credits. The research project is normally assessed by the supervisor and an independent assessor. It is expected that the students will be more self-directed and pro-active with consultation with their supervisor during this process.
The course consists of the taught phase (120-credits) and the project phase (80-credits). Each taught phase module is delivered normally within 1-week, (with the exemption of EMPD which is delivered in two weeks), and then the students are expected to submit within a specified deadline their assignments/coursework. These are normally assessed within 20-working days and summative feedback is provided to the students. During the taught phase normally the academic team provides formative tasks and they provide formative assessment feedback.
An MSc will be awarded on successful completion of 200 credits as detailed in the structure.
Course delivery
Part-time students register for the course in August and are expected to complete the course within three years. Part-time students have 1 year to complete their project. The taught phase for each 10-credit module is usually completed within one week. There is structured teaching to allow time for more independent learning and reflection.
Modules
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.
Course modules
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.
Communication Principles
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Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Electro-Optics and Infrared Systems 1
Aim |
To introduce the you to the field of EO/IR technology and give an understanding the underlying principles. To give an appreciation of the likely future advances in the technology and the importance of EO/IR technology in the wider defence system. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Electro-Optics and Infrared Systems 2
Aim |
Increase the depth of knowledge in the field of EO/IR technology and give an understanding of the underlying principles. Give an appreciation of the likely future advances in the technology and the importance of this technology in the wider defence system. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Electromagnetic Propagation and Devices
Aim |
To provide you with an understanding of electromagnetic propagation, antennas and devices relevant to military sensor, communications and electronic warfare systems. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Foundations of Modelling and Simulation
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Aim |
To make you aware of the roles, concepts and applications of modelling and simulation in defence, and to understand how to construct simple models. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Guided Weapons
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Aim |
The aim of this module is to: provide a general overview of guided weapon systems and technology; introduce students to the theoretical design of guided weapon subsystems; demonstrate how these subsystems form the overall guided weapon system. |
Syllabus |
• missile and the system; constituent parts of the missile and how they integrate into the complete system; the threat and how it can be countered, • airframe materials and structures; factors affecting aerodynamic lift and drag, • polar, Cartesian and roll control; aerodynamic and thrust vector control; actuation systems; instrumentation; accelerometers; rate and position gyroscopes; acceleration and velocity control; roll rate and position, latex and altitude autopilots, • principles of millimetric wave (mmW) seekers, • principles of infra-red seeker technology, • the need for guidance; types of trajectory; system characteristics and classification; command, homing and navigational guidance coverage diagrams, • reaction to thrust, propellants, jet propulsion, rocket and air-breathing engines, • principles of homing and surveillance radar, • overview of warheads for guided weapons for attack of armour, airborne targets and ground installations; safety and arming; types of fuze, matching and countermeasures. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of the module the student will be able to: • describe the elements that make up a guided weapon system, • discuss the principles involved and the design constraints on guided weapon airframe, propulsion, warhead, control and guidance systems and how these subsystems interact with one another, • explain the principles of radar, IR and mmW technology and how these technologies are used in guided weapon systems, • develop a preliminary guided weapon design. |
Information Networks
Aim |
To provide you with an understanding of networks in a modern military electronic sensor or communications system, their vulnerabilities and how they can be protected. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Pre Sessional Postgraduate Studies
Aim |
This course is specifically designed for those coming to study a technical MSc, particularly after a break from academic studies. Its aims are to: |
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Syllabus |
The course also includes social activities. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Radar Electronic Warfare
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Aim |
To provide you with an understanding of the principles, design and analysis of the electronic threats to radar systems and how radar systems may be protected. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Radar Principles
Aim |
To provide you with an understanding of the fundamental principles of radar, allowing you to relate this to the design and analysis of radar systems. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Systems Research Methods
Aim |
This module provides a multi-perspective, multi-methodological approach to research as the basis for the range of research questions that may be addressed in the student's thesis and also in investigations in future professional work. This module supports both these needs through challenging the student to think about research tasks and methods suitable for achieving the goal of obtaining actionable knowledge about a variety of research topics. |
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Syllabus |
Unit 1: Knowledge, novelty and verification and validation Unit 2: Areas of interest and research questions Unit 3: Framing research projects Unit 4: Quantitative methods Unit 5: Modelling and simulation method Unit 6: Formative feedback re proposed research methodology Unit 7: Writing about research: Proposals, reports, theses, and papers |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Signal Processing, Statistics and Analysis
Aim |
To provide you with an understanding of the subjects supporting the specialist modules and to provide you with the essential signal analysis and statistical tools used in the course. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Uninhabited Aircraft Systems / Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
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Aim |
This module focuses on the up-to-date UAV systems level technologies and Artificial Intelligence based methods for mission planning and energy-based range extenders, autopilots. Furthermore, the course covers the connectivities of airworthiness and Cyber Threat in the modern airspace. The aim is to provide you with the understanding of the fundamental concepts and challenges of UAS/RPAS with a Military Airworthiness perspective including a group interactive activity involving VR UAS flight experience. |
Syllabus |
Overview of UAS and Military Airworthiness UAV/RPAS passive hard subsystems. UAV/RPAS Active Hard Subsystems UAS/RPAS Soft methods UAS/RPAS Design and Analysis Methods UAS/RPAS AI Design Design Based Guidance UAS/RPAS applications and Airworthiness - Test cases |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Thesis
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Aim |
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Syllabus |
The thesis is a vital element of the Aerosystems MSc which offers to the student the opportunity to apply the learned taught phase knowledge and develop new knowledge and skills to an agreed topic. The students will be allocated an academic supervisor who will guide them with the topic and the general requirements of the project. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Teaching team
You will be taught by Cranfield's leading experts with capability expertise, industry knowledge and collective subject research, as well as external speakers from industry and defence. The Course Director is Professor John Economou. The teaching team includes:
Your career
Graduates, after leaving military service for which they were sponsored may find related openings in MOD civil service or in the defence industry.How to apply
UK MOD application process
If you are entering through the UK military selection process, please contact Admissions at cdsadmissionsoffice@cranfield.ac.uk for further information.
Self-funded application process
The Aerosystems course is now open for study to self-funded students.
Our students do not always fit traditional academic or career paths and we consider this to be a positive aspect of diversity. We are looking for a body of professional learners who have a wide range of experiences to share.
To apply you will need to register to use our online system, please contact Admissions at cdsadmissionsoffice@cranfield.ac.uk to get access. Once you have set up an account you will be able to create, save and amend your application form before submitting it.
Application deadlines
Attendance on the course is subject to Cranfield discretion and security clearance for the UK Defence Academy in Shrivenham site. To allow sufficient time for clearance to be granted applications must be submitted by the below deadline.
Entry for August 2024
- Self-funded applicants must submit their application by Friday, 5 July 2024.
Once your online application has been submitted together with your supporting documentation, it will be processed by Admissions. You will then be advised by email if you are successful, unsuccessful, or whether the course director would like to interview you before a decision is made. Applicants based outside of the UK may be interviewed either by telephone or video conference.
Read our Application Guide for a step-by-step explanation of the application process from pre-application through to joining us at Cranfield.