Overview
- Start dateOctober or March
- DurationOne year
- DeliveryTaught modules 10%, group project 50%, individual research project 40%
- QualificationMSc
- Study typeFull-time
- CampusCranfield campus
Who is it for?
This course is suitable for students with a background in aeronautical or mechanical engineering or those with relevant industrial experience. It provides a taught engineering programme with a focus on the technical, business and management aspects of aircraft design in the civil and military aerospace sectors.
Why this course?
The Avionic Systems Design option aims to provide an understanding of avionic systems design, analysis, development, test and airframe integration. This includes a detailed look at robust and fault-tolerant flight control, advanced 4D flight management and RNP navigation, self-separation and collision avoidance and advanced digital data communications systems, as well as pilot-friendly and intelligent cockpit displays and situation awareness.
The course also covers future ATM systems which have been at the forefront of postgraduate education in aerospace engineering since 1946. Aerospace Vehicle Design at Cranfield University was one of the original foundation courses of the College of Aeronautics. Graduates of this course are eligible to join the Cranfield College of Aeronautics Alumni Association (CCAAA), an active community which hold a number of networking and social events throughout the year.
You will have the opportunity to fly during a Student Experience Flight in our National Flying Laboratory Centre’s (NFLC) light aircraft. This flight experience will complement your MSc studies, focussing on the effects of controls, aircraft stability and angle of attack. During the flight you will have the opportunity to take control of the aircraft. Each experience is 2 to 3 hours in duration and includes a pre-flight safety briefing outlining the details of the manoeuvres to be flown, a flight of approximately 1 hour, and a post-flight debrief. Read Hari's blog on his flight experience.
Cranfield University is well located for students from all over the world, and offers a range of library and support facilities to support your studies. This enables students from all over the world to complete this qualification whilst balancing work/life commitments.
Informed by industry
The course has an Industrial Advisory Committee with senior members from major UK aerospace companies, government bodies and the military services. The committee meets twice a year to review and advise on course content, acquisition skills and other attributes are desirable from graduates of the course. Panel members include:
• Airbus,
• BAE Systems,
• Boeing,
• Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces,
• GKN Aerospace,
• Messier-Dowty,
• Royal Air Force,
• Royal Australian Air Force,
• Thales UK.
We also arrange visits to sites such as BAE Systems, Thales, GKN and RAF bases which specialise in the maintenance of military aircraft. This allows you to get up close to the aircraft and components to help with ideas for the group project.
Course details
This option comprises 16 mandatory modules and six optional modules. You are also required to complete a group design project and an individual research project. Delivered via a combination of structured lectures, industry guest lectures, computer based workshops and private study.
A unique feature of the course is that we have four external examiners: two from industry who assess the group design project and two from academia who assess the individual research project.
Course delivery
Taught modules 10%, group project 50%, individual research project 40%
Group project
The extensive group design project is a distinctive and unique feature of this course. This teamwork project takes place over six months, usually between October and March, and recreates a virtual industrial environment bringing together students with various experience levels and different nationalities into one integrated design team.
You will be given responsibility for the detailed design of a significant part of the aircraft, for example, flight control system or navigation system. The project will progress the design of the aircraft and avionic systems from the conceptual phase through to the preliminary and detail design phases. You are required to run project meetings, produce system schematics and conduct detailed analyses of their design. Problem solving and project coordination must be undertaken on a team and individual basis. At the end of the project, groups are required to report and present findings to a panel of up to 200 senior engineers from industry.
This element of the course is both real and engaging, and places the student group in a professional role as aerospace design engineers. Students testify that working as an integrated team on real problems is invaluable and prepares them well for careers in a highly competitive industry.
Watch past presentation YouTube videos to give you a taster of our innovative and exciting group projects:
Individual project
The individual research project aims to provide the training necessary for you to apply knowledge from the taught element to research, and takes place over six months. The project may be theoretical and/or experimental and drawn from a range of topics related to the course and suggested by teaching staff, your employer or focused on your own area of interest.
Example avionic systems design and analysis topics:
Design and implementation of real time ADS-B system based on software defined radio;
4D integrated flight management and traffic avoidance software system;
Station keeping for flight formation in oceanic airspace;
Air to air refuelling formation behaviour;
Study and development of air traffic control (ATC) tower simulation;
RPAS/UTM integration simulation;
Geo-fencing software system;
Intelligent diagnostics/prognostics (IDP) system;
Flight formation in oceanic airspace;
Development of navigation algorithms, based on surfaces of situation (non-autonomous);
Flight guidance systems to allow aircraft fly safely and efficiently within flow corridors;
Passenger egress simulation based on artificial intelligence approach;
Investigation into remote co-pilot concept for strategic single-pilot operation;
Slung load control;
FPGA implementation of gain scheduled controllers;
Flight control desktop demonstrator.
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.
Control Systems
| Aim |
To provide knowledge of the fundamentals of control engineering for the analysis and design of control systems in aerospace applications. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
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| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a you should be able to: |
Inertial and Satellite Navigation Systems
| Module Leader |
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|---|---|
| Aim |
To provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of inertial and satellite navigation systems. |
| Syllabus |
Inertial sensor technology Mechanisation equations Inertial navigation systems design Overview of GNSS – GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO and other systems GPS positioning principles Augmentation of GNSS GNSS Aviation Applications |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a you should be able to: 1. Cite the various kinds of inertial sensors and navigation satellite systems. 2. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of inertial and GNSS systems. 3. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the principles of inertial and GNSS navigation and the navigation computation methods. 4. Design and develop inertial and GPS navigation systems. |
Aeronautical Communication Systems
| Aim |
To study different avionics communication systems and to provide you with an understanding in fundamental issues relating to communication systems design, integration and testing. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Multiplexing and multiple access techniques (such as FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, CSMA, etc) • Modulation and demodulation techniques (such as QPSK, BPSK, M-ray, Noncoherent and coherent Demodulation methods) • Requirements for digital links systems • VDL system design (Mode 2, 3, 4) • Digital HF radio design, SATCOM system design • Installation and integration |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the underlying principles and issues relating to design, installation and testing associated with airborne communication systems. 2. Understand the operation of civil and military radio communication systems. 3. Design and develop radio communication systems for aeronautical applications. |
Aerospace Software Engineering and ADA
| Aim |
• To give you an understanding of Ada language and the programming techniques. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Design methodologies • Top-down vs bottom-up approaches • Object oriented design • Design for reusability and maintainability • Real-time considerations • Software verification and validation - Formal methods and standards • The Ada language. The LRM, data and programming structures. Classroom/laboratory exercises will be completed during this module. Solutions will be collected in by the tutor at the end of the module. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Evaluate and discuss a conceptual understanding of software design methodologies. 2. Discuss a working knowledge of the life-cycle implications in software design, development and test. 3. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of Ada programming language. 4. Use Ada programming language to implement software. |
Avionics Air Traffic Control
| Aim |
This module aims to provide you with an understanding of current and future air traffic control and traffic flow management systems. The objective is to discuss current ATM standards and technology applied in the systems and to review the future concepts as described by SESAR/NextGen. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Air Traffic Control and Air Traffic Management • Air Traffic Control, Organizational Elements • Airspace Design • Air Traffic Control as Human Supervisory Control System • Air Traffic Control Operations • ATC Conflict Assessment • ATM Challenges A group laboratory exercise will be completed during this module. Solutions will be collected in by the tutor at the end of the module. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
|
Aircraft Performance
| Aim |
To facilitate you in gaining fundamental knowledge of the theory of conventional fixed wing aircraft performance to a level suitable for an aerospace vehicle designer. In particular, to provide you with the ability to apply aircraft performance theory, practically in the context of aerospace vehicle design. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Aircraft Cruising Performance • Aircraft Climb and Descent Performance • Aircraft Take-off and Landing Performance • Aircraft Manoeuvre Performance • Flight Path Performance Estimation • Aircraft Performance Measurement A classroom exercise will be completed during this module. Solutions will be collected in by the tutor at the end of the module. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Have knowledge of the performance of characteristic of conventional fixed wing aircraft. 2. Understand and be able to apply methods of estimation of flight path performance. 3. Be able to assess and evaluate the performance characteristics of a conventional aircraft. 4. Appreciate the importance of airworthiness requirements in conventional aircraft. |
Aircraft Stability and Control
| Aim |
To provide an introduction to the fundamentals of aircraft stability and control. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Aircraft aerodynamic controls. • Static equilibrium and trim. • Longitudinal static stability, trim, pitching moment equation, static margins. • Lateral-directional static stability. • Introduction to dynamic stability, first and second order responses. • Equations of motion and modal characteristics. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
|
Avionics Data Networking, Hardware Intergration and Testing
| Aim |
To study different data-bus architectures and to provide students with an understanding in fundamental issues relating to avionic hardware design, integration and testing. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Avionics systems architectures – Federated, distributed, centralized, IMA • Aircraft data networks – Fundamental concepts: architectures, topologies and protocols • Aircraft data networks – Military, civil and commercial examples, including ARINC 429, ARINC 629, ARINC 659, MIL-1553, STANAG 3910, ACSB, CSDB and AFDX • Avionics systems integration and testing – Fundamental concepts • Avionics rig and laboratory functional tests • Avionics EMC/EMI and environmental testing • Avionics flight test techniques and instrumentation • Experimental data analysis methods |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Discuss various design, installation and testing issues associated with avionics hardware. 2. Understand the operation of civil and military data networks and their associated standards. 3. Specify avionics laboratory, ground and flight test principles and techniques. |
Cockpit Environment
| Aim |
|
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
o Head down displays – CRTs and AMLCDs. Drivers, functions, technologies and performance o Head up displays. Drivers, functions, technologies and performance o Helmet mounted displays. Drivers, functions, technologies and performance o Emerging HMI technologies and concepts o Fly-by-wire. Drivers, technologies, integrity, value, flight envelope control. A-320 case study o Alert prioritization. The dark and silent cockpit concept o CFIT awareness – TAWS – technologies and purpose o Traffic awareness – TCAS – technologies and purpose |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
|
Design of Airframe Systems
| Aim |
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|---|---|
| Syllabus |
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| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Identify the main airframe systems and explain their purposes and principles of operation; including Secondary Power Systems (Pneumatic, Hydraulic and Electric), Environmental Control Systems, Ice Protection Systems, Flight Control Power Systems and Fuel Systems. 2. Formulate the requirements that drive the design of the main airframe systems. 3. For each of the main airframe systems: differentiate the various architectures and reasons behind the differences; identify types of equipment and major components used and assess their principles of operation; and perform basic sizing analysis for systems and major components. 4. Appraise the effects of airframe systems power provision on aircraft power plants and analyse fuel penalties resulting from a given system’s presence on an aircraft by carrying out basic calculations. 5. Examine the reasons for, and propose possible types of changes, that may occur in airframe systems in the near future. |
Fault Tolerant Avionics Design
| Aim |
To introduce the you to the principal methods for the design and development of fault – tolerant avionics systems. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Fault, cause and effect • Hardware fault tolerance • Software fault tolerance • Failure detection techniques • Design of practical fault-tolerant avionics systems • Case study – Fault-tolerant navigation systems and flight control systems A homework exercise will be completed during this module. Solutions will be collected in by the tutor at the end of the module. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Identify the basic principles and concepts of fault-tolerant design. 2. Understand principal hardware/software-implemented fault-tolerant methods. 3. Choose fault-tolerant architecture on the basis of dependability requirements. 4. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the different advantages and limits of fault avoidance and fault tolerance techniques. |
Flight Experience
| Aim |
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|---|---|
| Syllabus |
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| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Integrated Navigation Systems
| Aim |
To introduce you to the advanced techniques for design and development of integrated aircraft navigation systems. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Kalman Filter techniques o Fundamentals, matrix and probability theories o System dynamic models, o Linear Kalman filter o Linearised and Extended Kalman filters o Statistical characteristics of Kalman Filters • Navigation System Error Dynamic Models o Inertial system error models • GNSS positioning and attitude determination models o Integrated navigation System design o Integrated navigation system architectures o Integrated Kalman filter architectures o Integrated navigation algorithm design • Case study o Redundant inertial/Doppler/Air data/GPS integrated navigation systems A homework exercise will be completed during this module. Solutions will be collected in by the tutor at the end of the module. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Understand the design principles of various Kalman filters. 2. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of different integrated navigation systems. 3. Analyse and model navigation system error dynamics. 4. Design and develop multisensor-based navigation software simulation systems. |
Modelling of Dynamic Systems
| Module Leader |
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|---|---|
| Aim |
To provide an understanding of the mathematical techniques that underpin both classical and modern control law design. |
| Syllabus |
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| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Radio Systems
| Aim |
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|---|---|
| Syllabus |
Terrestrial Navigation Terrestrial Radio Navigational Aids DF, NDB, MB, VOR & DVOR, DME, ILS, MLS, TACAN Doppler Navigation Radar A classroom exercise will be completed during this module. Solutions will be collected in by the tutor at the end of the module. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Reliability, Safety Assessment and Certification
| Aim |
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|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Reliability • Reliability requirements – JAR25-AC.1309 • Probabilities of failure, MTBF, MTBR, etc. • Reliability models – series and parallel systems, common mode failures • Safety Assessment Analysis Methods • Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) • Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) • Reliability predictions • Common Cause Analysis (CCA) • System Safety Assessment Process • Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA) • Preliminary System Safety Assessment (PSSA) • Air Accidents Investigation |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Demonstrate an understand of the aircraft certification process and how aircraft design is driven by airworthiness requirements. 2. Identify system safety requirements. 3. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the procedures and steps for system safety assessment. 4. Develop system reliability models and perform safety assessment at different levels. 5. Simulate and analyse system reliability. |
Elective modules
A selection of modules from the following list need to be taken as part of this course
Aerospace System Development and Life Cycle Model
| Aim |
To introduce you to system engineering concepts, system lifecycle models and system design processes and methods. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Life Cycle Models. • System Requirements. • Systems Design. • System Integration, Verification and Validation. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Demonstrate a understanding of the basic concepts of the main life-cycle models. 2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these models. 3. Define and analyse system requirements and specifications. 4. Determine system development process and define the work to be performed at different development phases. 5. Apply development life-cycle models to the AVD Group project. |
Aircraft Aerodynamics
| Aim |
The aim of this module is to provide you with the knowledge of the Atmosphere and of the basic aerodynamic characteristics of a conventional aircraft in the context of its mechanics of flight. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
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| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a you should be able to: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of the international standard atmosphere and design atmospheres. 2. Identify aircraft air data systems and air data measurement. 3. Identify the basic force system of a conventional aircraft. 4. Demonstrate an ability to calculate the principle aerodynamic forces of lift and drag. 5. Perform a simple initial aerodynamic design of an aircraft. |
Aircraft Power Plant Installation
| Aim |
To introduce you to the engine and aircraft-related aspects of the propulsion system, with the primary emphasis being placed on gas turbine engines. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Relations between specific fuel consumption, specific range and thermal and overall efficiencies for various engine types including turbo-props. • Choice of cycle for various applications. • Brief assessment of engine size required and engine / airframe matching including the importance of the airworthiness performance requirements. • Impact of engine rating on engine / airframe matching. • Impact on engine installation of various systems required by the aircraft. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Understand how a propulsion system is defined. 2. Assess the performance interface between the engine and the airframe. |
Computer Aided Design
| Aim |
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the role of Computer Aided Design technologies in a modern Integrated Product Development process and provide hands-on experience of CAD using the CATIA v5 software. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Overview of Computer Aided Design, Manufacture and Engineering tools and their role in IPD • Introduction to CAD modelling techniques: o Solid Modelling o Assembly Modelling o Parametric Design o Surface Modelling o Drafting • Hands on CATIA exercises using CATIA v5 including fuselage and wing design exercises • Using CATIA for the Group Design Project. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Explain the role of Computer Aided technologies in the aircraft development process. 2. Differentiate between Computer Aided Design, Computer Aided Manufacture and Computer Aided Engineering and understand the information flows between these tools. 3. Select appropriate CAD modelling techniques for a variety of design applications. 4. Use Computer Aided Design software to create simple 3D models using solid, assembly and surface modelling techniques. 5. Apply your knowledge and skills to design aircraft components as part of the Group Design Project. |
Initial Aircraft Design
| Aim |
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|---|---|
| Syllabus |
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| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of aircraft design. 2. Identify the functional role of the structural elements of the entire airframe. 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the top level aircraft design to put the detailed design of one aircraft component into context. 4. Perform a simple conceptual design synthesis of an aircraft and evaluate the design. 5. Apply their knowledge and skills to derive the initial structural layout of the Group Design Project aircraft. |
Integrated Vehicle Health Management
| Aim |
To provide you with an introduction to the leading IVHM technologies and concepts being implemented in various health monitoring systems, and their application to aircraft design. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Sensors and Instrumentation for different aircraft sub-systems (aircraft structures, aero-propulsion systems, electric power and power distribution systems, avionics, etc.). • Fault detection and isolation techniques. • Reasoning methods (model-based, case-based, etc.) and their use in aircraft health management. • Prognosis approaches for aircraft health management. • Physics of failure approaches. • IVHM Design for aircraft health management. • Structural health monitoring. • Cost benefit analysis of IVHM implementation. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a you should be able to: 1. Communicate unambiguously IVHM terminology and apply it correctly, given that the IVHM is a developing field. 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the key IVHM Concepts; failure modes, failure effects, failure symptoms, sensors, detection, diagnostics, prognostics, etc. 3. Select appropriate sensors and instrumentation for different sub-systems of the aircraft. 4. Build a diagnostics/prognostics algorithm(s) for different sub-systems of the aircraft. 5. Design IVHM systems for different sub-systems of the aircraft in the Group Design Project. |
Teaching team
You will be taught by a wide range of subject specialists from the University and industry professionals who draw on their research and industrial expertise to provide stimulating and relevant input to your learning experience. The teaching on some taught modules is also supported by visiting speaker's lectures from both industry and the military. Former speakers have included senior representatives from Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing and Eurocopter. The Course Director for the October intake for this programme is Jack Stockford. The March intake Course Director is Dr Adrian Clarke.
Accreditation
The Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc is accredited by Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for further learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.
Your career
The Avionic Systems Design option is valued and respected by employers worldwide. The applied nature of this course ensures that our graduates are ready to be of immediate use to their future employer and has provided sufficient breadth of understanding of multi-discipline design to position them for accelerated career progression.
This course prepares graduates for careers as project design engineers, systems design, structural design or avionic engineers in aerospace or related industries, with the aim of progressing to technical management/chief engineer. Graduates from the MSc in Avionic Systems Design can therefore look forward to a varied choice of challenging career opportunities in the above disciplines.
Many of our graduates occupy very senior positions in their organisations, making valuable contributions to the international aerospace industry. Typical student destinations include BAE Systems, Airbus, Dassault and Rolls-Royce.
How to apply
Applications need to be made online. Click the 'Apply now' button at the top of this page.
Once you have set up an account you will be able to create, save and amend your application form before submitting it.
My course prepared me to be an aircraft designer with good hands-on experience in design software, planning and budgeting for projects. Here I have learnt team work and project management skills. Using these skills I have set up a company back in India which focuses on the engineering applications of drones.
As a person who always had a dream of becoming a flight test engineer in the aerospace sector, I felt that the Flight Experience module - onboard Cranfield's Saab 340B, the flying classroom - was valuable as an initial insight on how a flight test is conducted within the industry. It really helped me to understand and verify the overall theory evolving the flight physics both in term of lift and drag, as well as the stability of the aircraft.
I chose to study Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc at Cranfield University as it was a unique course that would give me the opportunity to specialise in the design of aircraft. A highlight from my MSc would have to be the group design project and meeting new friends from all around the world. It made the entire journey a breeze, with a lot of support and many late nights. Once I have finished my MSc I will be starting new job at Airbus.
