Master’s in External Stores Integration and Flight Testing Engineering (High Level, Non-Operational)
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in external stores integration and flight testing engineering (high-level, non-operational), structured in 12 modules covering mechanical and electrical compatibility, store aerodynamics, aeroelasticity, safe separation principles, environmental qualification, system safety, flight test planning and configuration certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
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 mechanical and electrical compatibility of external stores.
Evaluate the aerodynamic and aeroelastic effects of configurations.
Understand the principles of safe separation through simulation.
Qualify stores against their environmental conditions.
Apply system safety to integration.
Plan flight tests with rigorous risk management.
Manage configuration certification according to legal and ethical criteria.
Who it's for
- External stores integration engineers working on aircraft-store compatibility.
- Aeroelasticity engineers analysing flutter in store configurations.
- Flight test engineers planning test programmes and managing risk.
- System safety engineers applying MIL-STD-882 to integration.
- Certification engineers clearing aircraft configurations.
- CFD engineers modelling interference and separation.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the defence aerospace industry.
What you'll work with
- MIL-HDBK-1763 (aircraft-store compatibility: systems engineering data requirements and test procedures)
- MIL-STD-1760E (aircraft-store electrical interconnection system)
- MIL-STD-8591 (airborne stores, suspension equipment and aircraft-store interface design requirements)
- MIL-HDBK-516C (airworthiness certification criteria)
- MIL-STD-810H (environmental engineering considerations and laboratory tests)
- MIL-STD-882E (system safety)
- EMAR 21 (European military airworthiness requirements)
- Ansys Fluent
- MSC Nastran
- ZAERO
- MATLAB/Simulink
- IADS (Curtiss-Wright)
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Types of external stores: tanks, containers and pods1.2Civil mission payloads and sensors1.3Store integration cycle1.4Compatibility requirements1.5Certification bodies1.6Legal framework and capability review1.7Ethics of integration engineering1.8The programme's non-operational approach1.9History of compatibility engineering1.10Case study: compatibility analysis of an external fuel tank
2.1Standardised suspension interfaces2.2Racks and launchers: mechanical aspects2.3Structural loads on racks2.4Clearances and fit2.5Transmitted vibration2.6Pylon fatigue2.7MIL-STD-8591 standards2.8Fit compatibility testing2.9Interface documentation2.10Lab: structural analysis of a pylon
3.1Standardised electrical interface: MIL-STD-17603.2Store power supply3.3Discrete signals and data buses3.4Electrical safety of the interface3.5Electromagnetic compatibility3.6Lightning protection3.7Interface verification3.8Store simulation benches3.9Interface control documentation3.10Practical exercise: bench verification of a MIL-STD-1760 interface
4.1Aerodynamic interference4.2Drag and performance with stores4.3Stability and control with stores4.4Configuration asymmetries4.5Effects on handling4.6CFD analysis of configurations4.7Wind tunnel testing4.8Aerodynamic databases4.9Model correction4.10Lab: CFD of a wing with an external tank
5.1Influence of stores on natural modes5.2Flutter of wings with stores5.3Limit cycle oscillations5.4Flutter analysis5.5Ground vibration testing5.6Flight flutter testing5.7Flutter margin5.8Configuration matrices5.9Flutter certification5.10Practical exercise: flutter analysis of a configuration with a tank
6.1The concept of safe store separation6.2Aerodynamic forces during separation6.3Six-degree-of-freedom models6.4Captive trajectory techniques6.5CFD simulation of separation6.6Separation safety criteria6.7Separation of tanks and containers6.8Validation with tests6.9Uncertainty management6.10Case study: separation simulation of an empty tank
7.1Store vibration environment7.2Thermal environment7.3Acoustic environment7.4MIL-STD-810 testing7.5Shock testing7.6Humidity and corrosion testing7.7Life-cycle profiles7.8Test tailoring7.9Equipment qualification7.10Workshop: life-cycle environmental profile of a container
8.1System safety: MIL-STD-8828.2Integration hazard analysis8.3Safety of management software8.4Ground handling safety8.5Personnel safety8.6Test safety8.7Safety cases8.8Residual risk management8.9Safety review boards8.10Practical exercise: hazard analysis of the integration of a sensor pod
9.1Organisation of a test programme9.2Test risk classification9.3Test plans and test cards9.4Test instrumentation9.5Telemetry and control room9.6Incremental envelope expansion9.7Stop criteria9.8Safety management in testing9.9Data analysis9.10Case study: test plan for a sensor pod
10.1Airworthiness of configurations10.2MIL-HDBK-1763 as a reference10.3MIL-HDBK-51610.4EMAR 21 and external stores10.5Clearance documentation10.6Operating limitations in manuals10.7Matrices of cleared configurations10.8Configuration management10.9Continuing airworthiness10.10Practical exercise: matrix of cleared configurations
11.1International humanitarian law11.2Legal review of capabilities11.3Export controls11.4Security of technical information11.5Responsible publication11.6Ethics of the test engineer11.7Safety of communities near test ranges11.8Environmental management of testing11.9Institutional transparency11.10Workshop: debate on professional responsibility in testing
12.1Configuration definition12.2Compatibility requirements12.3Aerodynamic analysis12.4Aeroelastic analysis12.5Safety analysis12.6Ground test plan12.7Flight test plan12.8Conclusions12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online 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 each intake, so the programme can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ansys Fluent, MSC Nastran, ZAERO, MATLAB/Simulink and IADS (Curtiss-Wright), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for mechanical and electrical compatibility analysis of external stores, flutter analysis of configurations and flight test planning with risk management. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: MIL-HDBK-1763, MIL-STD-1760E, MIL-STD-8591, MIL-HDBK-516C, MIL-STD-810H, MIL-STD-882E, EMAR 21.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running 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 Ansys Fluent, MSC Nastran, ZAERO, MATLAB/Simulink and IADS (Curtiss-Wright), 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 programme 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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