Cranfield University

MSc in Advanced Air Mobility Systems

Who is it for?

This course provides engineering, physics, computing, or mathematics graduates with advanced skills which can be applied to aviation, drone, security, defence, and aerospace industries.

The MSc course consists of three weighted components, taught modules, an individual research project, and a group project. The taught course element includes eight taught compulsory modules, generally delivered from October to March. The eight modules cover the fundamentals of Air Traffic Management (ATM) and communications systems and progress to the core subjects of sensor fusion, guidance and navigation, AI for autonomous systems, and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM).

The taught part of the course is followed by a Group Design Project (GDP) and individual research projects (IRPs). The GDP enables students to work as part of a team, develop project planning and management skills, and communications abilities, design, implement, validate and test an advanced air mobility system component, apply the knowledge acquired in the taught modules and integrate the various methods learned.

Students are also supported in their learning and personal development through participation in industry seminars, group poster sessions, group discussions, group presentations, video demonstrations, case studies, laboratory experiments, coursework, and project work. Students will receive hands-on experience accessing equipment and facilities within our Digital Aviation research and Technology Centre and Aerospace Integration Research Centre.

Course delivery

Taught modules 40%, group project 20% (or dissertation for part-time students), individual project 40%

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reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons.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 that 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.
• Introduction to Advanced Air Mobility
• Air Traffic Management Systems
• Communications Systems
• Sensor Fusion
• Intelligent Cyber-Physical Systems
• Artificial Intelligence for Autonomous Systems
• Guidance and Navigation for UAS
• Unmanned Traffic Management

Why this course?

The Advanced Air Mobility Systems MSc is designed to equip you with the skills required to pursue a successful career in transforming the aviation industry, applying the knowledge learned to introduce newly automated and autonomous solutions to improve the industry as a whole.

Taught through a unique combination of theoretical and practical-based sessions, you will cover subjects in ATM, Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), enabling sensor infrastructure (communications, navigation, surveillance), sensor fusion and artificial intelligence for autonomous systems. The MSc course content has been based on advice from the Industrial Advisory Board, comprising industrial representatives from big primes to small- and medium-sized enterprises. The Industrial Advisory Board also recommend thesis and project topics ensuring their real-world relevance, another effective differentiator in the job market. This allows students to familiarise themselves with companies from the Industrial Advisory Board and be exposed to their research interests, paving the way for potential job opportunities.

This course is unique in that it offers a combination of subjects much sought after in the aviation, air traffic, and drone industries, that are not covered in a single MSc course anywhere else, giving particular emphasis to the digitalised integrated architecture, the enabling sensor infrastructure (incl. communication, navigation, and surveillance) and intelligent algorithms, such as flight management and planning, and deconfliction. Successful graduates of our MSc course become conversant in key aspects of automation and autonomy in emerging manned/unmanned traffic management which places them at an advantage in today's competitive employment market.

A key feature of the MSc is the inclusion of a CAA approved UAV remote pilot competence course. The course incorporates a ground school element for flight planning – covering principles of flight, rules and regulations of the air, using aviation charts, risk assessment and meteorology – and flight training to provide basic pilot competence, including how to respond in an emergency and being able to operate safety features. Successful completion of the course allows students to fly small UAVs in the Open Category.

Industry-led education makes Cranfield graduates some of the most desirable all over the world for recruitment by both global primes to smaller innovative start-ups looking for the brightest talent. Industrial contact may take place even from the Individual Research Project that enables familiarisation with our Industry Advisory Board, which include: From the

• BAE Systems,
• Thales
• SAAB
• Boeing
• NATS
• Heathrow Airport
• Inmarsat

Graduates from this course will be equipped with the advanced skills which could be applied to the aviation, air traffic, air transport, security, defence, and aerospace industries. This approach offers you a wide range of career choices as an autonomous systems engineer, design engineer, or in an operations role, at graduation, and in the future. Others decide to continue their education through PhD studies available within Cranfield University or elsewhere.