Master’s in Counter-UAS and Infrastructure Protection Engineering (Technical-Regulatory)
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in counter-UAS engineering and infrastructure protection from a technical and regulatory perspective: 12 modules covering the UAS threat, the EU regulatory framework, radar, RF, electro-optical and acoustic detection, sensor fusion and C2, mitigation measures, testing, simulation and programme management, with an assigned technical tutor.
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Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Analyse the threat that unmanned aircraft systems pose to infrastructure.
Interpret the applicable European and national regulatory framework.
Select radar, radio-frequency, optical and acoustic sensors.
Design layered detection architectures with data fusion.
Assess mitigation measures from a technical and regulatory standpoint.
Simulate coverage and optimise sensor sites.
Plan the evaluation and deployment of protection systems.
Who it's for
- C-UAS systems engineers looking to deepen their technical and regulatory expertise.
- Infrastructure security consultants.
- Radar engineers moving into drone detection.
- Sensor integration engineers.
- Airport security managers.
- Risk analysts working on critical infrastructure.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to work in airports and critical infrastructure.
What you'll work with
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft)
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (unmanned aircraft systems and third-country operators)
- Directive (EU) 2022/2557 (resilience of critical entities)
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664 (U-space regulatory framework)
- ISO 31000 (risk management)
- ASTM F3411 (remote identification and tracking)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR)
- MATLAB Radar Toolbox
- GNU Radio
- OpenCV
- QGIS
- Python
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Types of commercial UAS and their proliferation1.2Incidents at airports and public events1.3Misuse: intrusion, smuggling and espionage1.4Vulnerable critical infrastructure1.5Risk analysis according to ISO 310001.6Threat scenarios for planning1.7Critical Entities Resilience Directive1.8Actors responsible for protection1.9Ethics and proportionality1.10Case study: analysis of the Gatwick 2018 incident
2.1EU Regulations 2019/947 and 2019/9452.2U-space and geographical zones2.3Remote identification of UAS2.4National aviation security regulations2.5Competences in neutralisation2.6Spectrum and emissions regulation2.7Data protection in detection2.8European Commission Communication on C-UAS2.9Civil and criminal liability2.10Workshop: matrix of legal competences by actor
3.1Radar for small, slow targets3.2Radar cross-section of multirotors3.3FMCW and pulse-Doppler radar3.4Micro-Doppler for classification3.5Clutter and birds3.6Range and coverage3.7Installation and siting3.8Performance of commercial systems3.9Integration with other sensors3.10Lab: micro-Doppler analysis with simulated data
4.1Command and video links of commercial UAS4.2Passive RF detection4.3Direction finding and pilot localisation4.4Decoding remote identification4.5Protocol databases4.6Limitations against autonomous UAS4.7Legal framework for spectrum monitoring4.8Distributed RF sensors4.9Performance evaluation4.10Practical: receiving remote identification with SDR
5.1EO and IR cameras for tracking5.2Detection with computer vision5.3Tracking and pointing5.4Acoustic sensors and microphone arrays5.5Acoustic signature classification5.6Weather and night-time conditions5.7Integration with radar5.8UAS datasets5.9Evaluation of detectors5.10Lab: drone detector with YOLO
6.1Layered C-UAS system architecture6.2Multi-sensor track fusion6.3Classification and identification6.4Operator interface6.5Management of alarms and false alarms6.6Integration with existing security systems6.7Integration with air traffic control6.8Event and evidence logging6.9System cybersecurity6.10Case study: C-UAS architecture for a power plant
7.1Classification of mitigation measures7.2Passive measures: nets, shelters and design7.3Geofencing and manufacturer cooperation7.4Radio interference: legal implications7.5Collateral risks to third parties7.6Authorisation and competent authorities7.7Proportionality criteria7.8Graduated response procedures7.9Assessment of unintended effects7.10Workshop: response procedure for an airport
8.1Airports and the airport environment8.2Energy and nuclear power plants8.3Prisons and correctional facilities8.4Major events and stadiums8.5Ports and maritime facilities8.6Government buildings8.7Transport infrastructure8.8Operator security plans8.9Coordination with law enforcement8.10Case study: C-UAS plan for a major event
9.1C-UAS evaluation methodologies9.2Standardised test scenarios9.3Metrics: probability of detection and false alarms9.4European evaluation programmes9.5Field trials and permits9.6Scenario simulation9.7System certification9.8Comparative analysis of solutions9.9Evaluation reports9.10Practical: design of a test protocol
10.1Sensor coverage modelling10.2Simulation of UAS trajectories10.3Simulation of urban scenarios10.4Coverage gap analysis10.5Site optimisation10.6Simulation of the response10.7Digital twins of facilities10.8Model validation10.93D visualisation10.10Lab: site optimisation with Python
11.1Needs assessment11.2Technical procurement specification11.3Public procurement of systems11.4Integration and deployment11.5Operator training11.6Maintenance and upgrades11.7Life-cycle costs11.8Effectiveness indicators11.9Continuous improvement11.10Workshop: technical specification for a detection system
12.1Selection of the infrastructure12.2UAS risk analysis12.3Applicable legal framework12.4Design of the detection architecture12.5Coverage simulation12.6Response procedures12.7Evaluation plan12.8Conclusions and recommendations12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB Radar Toolbox, GNU Radio, OpenCV, QGIS and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for field evaluation of UAS detection sensors, coverage simulation and sensor siting, and micro-Doppler classification analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, Directive (EU) 2022/2557, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664, ISO 31000, ASTM F3411, Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB Radar Toolbox, GNU Radio, OpenCV, QGIS and Python, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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