Cranfield Defence Aeronautics and Space

Aeronautical heritage

The present day Cranfield University evolved from the original establishment of RAF Cranfield in 1937. This led to the founding of the College of Aeronautics on the site in 1946 and granted university status as the Cranfield Institute of Technology in 1969, becoming Cranfield University in 1993.

In 1984 the MOD selected Cranfield University to be the provider of degree-level education at the Royal Military College of Science (now absorbed into the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom). In 2006 the MOD awarded the University a further teaching contract, which extends the partnership to 2028.

The original mission was given very broad terms of reference: “To find out everything and anything of interest that could be learnt ... about aircraft production and design.” Cranfield University today still works along the same principles of research and education, using world class facilities and people to advance modern day aeronautics.

Cranfield Defence Aeronautics and Space

Aims:

• To provide a coherent research focus and forum for UK Government and industry, bridging across the technology readiness levels (TRLs) from innovation to application.
• To build on our defence heritage and current capability across civil and military aerospace sectors, to address defence aeronautics and space research needs.
• To collaborate with key stakeholders including UK MOD, RAF, defence industry and wider organisations.

Objectives:

• Build a research network with colleagues from across academia and industry.
• Build consortia with business and academic partners to assemble subject matter expert teams.
• Support the development of research initiatives with industry and UKRI.
• Support growth, reputation and expertise through a fellowship scheme.
• Encourage the funding of new infrastructure with the ability to work at the required classified levels of this domain.

Image from MoD/Crown copyright 2016

The fellowship scheme

Through the fellowship scheme, we are looking to provide a springboard for the future academic careers of some of the world’s most gifted researchers. We will give you the opportunity to conduct innovative research without the pressures to seek industry funding or teaching commitments. We will support and encourage you to seek prestigious public sector fellowship opportunities. All we ask is that you are brilliant.

Air systems, weapons and propulsion

Experience in whole aircraft design, aerodynamics, aircraft structures, systems, and avionics. Propulsion systems including aero-engines, hybrid and electric propulsion and expertise in thermal management, performance and propulsion systems integration. Research and design using state-of-the art, computer-aided design tools, modelling and simulation as well as experimental test facilities.

Expertise includes:

• Aircraft vehicle design, flight mechanics and control.
• Aircraft propulsion and power.
• Hybrid and electric aircraft and propulsion systems.
• Weapon systems.
• Energetics.

Manufacturing and materials

Capability for advanced design, manufacturing, development of materials and processing technology for lightweight and efficient structures. Expertise in low-cost manufacturing with modelling, simulation and structural health monitoring technologies including:

• Advanced materials.
• Lightweight and efficient structures.
• Low-cost composite manufacturing.
• Advanced manufacturing – digital twins.
• Composite health monitoring.

Flight operations - airspace, air traffic, airworthiness and safety

A broad range of capabilities enabled by Cranfield’s unique combination of an airport, aircraft, and digital air traffic control centre. Our air traffic management and unmanned traffic management laboratory provides a holistic approach for transformational research for the integration of aircraft, air transportation and air traffic management.

Specific capabilities include:

• National Flying Laboratory Centre.
• Cranfield Airport and airspace.
• Air traffic management.
• Unmanned traffic management.
• Flight evaluation and performance.
• Trajectory optimisation.
• Human machine interface.

UK MOD © Crown copyright 2020

Maintenance, health monitoring and supply chain

A range of capabilities including research to deliver self-sensing aircraft. These will be capable of monitoring current health, predicting remaining useful life and automatically reconfiguring to plan future maintenance, repair and overhaul requirements.

Specific aspects include:

• ‘Hangar of the Future’ laboratory with Cranfield’s 737-400 aircraft.
• Integrated vehicle health management.
• Digital maintenance, repair and overhaul.
• Aircraft sensing equipment.
• Holographic radar systems.
• Supply chain management.

Wind tunnel facilities: established expertise in experimental aerodynamics supported by low-speed, transonic, supersonic and hypersonic wind tunnels.

Cranfield Airport: offers a unique environment for transformational research into the aerospace sector. First in the UK to have an operational digital air traffic control centre.

Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC): being built at the University to spearhead the UK’s research into digital aviation technology.

Cranfield Ordnance Test Evaluation Centre (COTEC): Licensed by UK MOD, COTEC performs independent test and evaluation on munitions, weapon systems, pyrotechnic and explosives, and conducts disposals and demilitarisation.

Icing wind tunnels: Able to create realistic icing conditions at a component level, providing information on how well ice protection equipment is working and on the adhesion of ice to a given material.

Satellite clean room: designed for assembling small satellites and payloads as well as for other projects involving space flight hardware.