High Energy Propagation and Energy Transfer in poor weather

The project will be concerned with studying the effects of high energy propagation in poor weather and investigate methods for increasing energy transfer on an intended object. The project will allow the student to acquire expertise in electro-magnetic propagation and sensing with electro-optical (EO), infrared (IR) and radar systems.

The project is to contribute to a major Ministry of Defence (MOD) research programme intended to develop generation after next technologies for applications in defence and security, and this project will be co-funded by MBDA.

The project will be concerned with studying the effects of high energy propagation in poor weather and investigate methods for increasing energy transfer on an intended object. The project will allow the student to acquire expertise in electro-magnetic propagation and sensing with electro-optical (EO), infrared (IR) and radar systems.

The main objectives of this project are:

• Investigate the effects of high energy propagation in poor weather through modelling and simulations
• Study propagation effects as a function of frequency and sensing modality (EO, IR and radars)
• Investigate pulsed and CW techniques to maximise energy transfer against an intended objects at a distance

The plan is to recruit a PhD candidate to undertake this project and be part of a new MOD/EPSRC Energy Transfer Technology Skills and Training (S&T) Hub. The main aim of the S&T Hub is to train the next generation of leaders in energy transfer technologies relevant for defence and other related

Cranfield Defence and Security (CDS) provides unique educational opportunities to the Defence and security sectors of both public and private sector organisations. Based at the UK Defence Academy at Shrivenham in Oxfordshire and at Cranfield University Bedfordshire, CDS is the academic provider to the UK Ministry of Defence for postgraduate education at the Defence Academy, training in engineering, science, acquisition, management and leadership. 

Each student funded by the Hub will have an industrial partner and have opportunities to work with and train alongside experts from industry. The Hub offers individual’s training for both a research and an industrial career path.

The industrial partner, MBDA is an established world leader in defence with respect to missiles and missile systems and part of a multi-national group with 10,000 employees on industrial facilities in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany and the United States. MBDA has three major aeronautical and defence shareholders – BAE Systems (37.5%), Airbus (37.5%) and Leonardo (25%), and is the first truly integrated European defence company but has a strong national and sovereignty connection with the UK armed forces and agencies for the last six years.

As a PhD student, you will have the opportunity to develop strong independent thinking and research skills, focusing on qualitative research methodologies and ontology development. During your studies, you will also gain valuable experience in presenting the outputs of your scientific research at events and conferences. To support you in achieving a high standard in writing and presenting technical reports, scientific papers, and your thesis, the University offers a number of courses. These transferable skills will contribute to your academic development as well as enhance your employability prospects.

The student will be based at Cranfield University (Shrivenham) but will be part of cohort of 12 PhD students across a number of UK institutions. The Skills and Training Hub will run online and face-to-face activities to facilitate cohort building and group learning exercises throughout the PhD programme. The duration of the PhD is 4 years, and the start date is 1st October 2023.

The PhD student will be physically located at Cranfield University, in the Centre for Electronic Warfare Information and Cyber at Cranfield Defence and Security (CDS). CDS provide unique educational opportunities to the Defence and security sectors of both public and private sector organisations. Based at the UK Defence Academy at Shrivenham in Oxfordshire, CDS is the academic provider to the UK Ministry of Defence for postgraduate education at the Defence Academy, training in engineering, science, acquisition, management and leadership.