Postgraduate Diploma in Stabilisation of Gun Turrets and Weapon Platforms
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Stabilisation of Gun Turrets and Weapon Platforms. 8 modules with MIL-STD-810H (environmental testing), MIL-STD-461G (electromagnetic compatibility) and MATLAB/Simulink. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the architecture of stabilised platforms.
Select inertial sensors based on their specifications.
Size electric and hydraulic actuators.
Model the dynamics of multi-axis platforms.
Design robust stabilisation controllers.
Apply functional safety requirements to embedded software.
Plan environmental and performance testing in accordance with MIL-STD-810H.
Who it's for
- Control engineer wishing to specialise in Stabilisation of Gun Turrets and Weapon Platforms.
- Mechatronic systems engineer wishing to specialise in Stabilisation of Gun Turrets and Weapon Platforms.
- Embedded software engineer wishing to specialise in Stabilisation of Gun Turrets and Weapon Platforms.
- Inertial sensors engineer wishing to specialise in Stabilisation of Gun Turrets and Weapon Platforms.
- Test engineer wishing to specialise in Stabilisation of Gun Turrets and Weapon Platforms.
- Systems safety engineer wishing to specialise in Stabilisation of Gun Turrets and Weapon Platforms.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter the defence industry.
What you'll work with
- MIL-STD-810H (environmental testing)
- MIL-STD-461G (electromagnetic compatibility)
- MIL-STD-882E (system safety)
- IEC 61508 (functional safety)
- IEC 61800-5-2 (functional safety of drives)
- IEEE 952 (fibre-optic gyroscopes)
- ISO 21940-11 (balancing of rigid rotors)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1The need for stabilisation in moving vehicles1.2Terrain and vehicle disturbances1.3Turret and platform architecture1.4Azimuth and elevation axes1.5Line-of-sight stabilisation versus platform1.6Civil applications: cameras and antennas1.7Precision and bandwidth requirements1.8Legal and ethical framework of defence design1.9Applicable reference standards1.10Workshop: analysis of disturbances measured on the move
2.1Mechanical, optical and MEMS gyroscopes2.2Fibre-optic FOG and ring laser RLG2.3Accelerometers2.4IMU units2.5Errors: bias, drift and noise2.6Allan variance2.7Sensor calibration2.8Sensor fusion and Kalman filter2.9Encoders and resolvers2.10Laboratory: Allan analysis of a MEMS gyroscope
3.1Electric versus hydraulic actuators3.2Brushless and direct-drive torque motors3.3Gearboxes and backlash3.4Power electronics and drivers3.5Inertia and sizing3.6Friction and nonlinearities3.7Brakes and locking devices3.8Efficiency and power consumption3.9Actuator reliability3.10Practical: sizing an azimuth motor
4.1Multibody model of the platform4.2Axis coupling4.3Imbalances and moments of inertia4.4Structural stiffness and modes4.5Resonances and their effect on control4.6Experimental identification4.7Modelling in Simulink and Simscape4.8Linearisation and state space4.9Model validation4.10Laboratory: identification of a two-axis plant
5.1Velocity and position loops5.2PID control and tuning5.3Inertial feedback5.4Disturbance feedforward5.5Friction compensation5.6Robust H-infinity control5.7Notch filters and resonances5.8Discretisation and digital implementation5.9Stability analysis5.10Practical: designing a stabilisation loop
6.1Embedded controller architectures6.2Real-time operating systems6.3Safety-critical software and development standards6.4Functional safety per MIL-STD-882E6.5Motion limits and prohibited zones6.6Fault management and degraded modes6.7Embedded cybersecurity6.8Software verification6.9Configuration management6.10Case study: failure mode analysis of an actuator
7.1Motion test rigs and simulators7.2Measuring stabilisation error7.3Track trials7.4Environmental testing7.5Electromagnetic compatibility7.6Statistical analysis of results7.7Hardware-in-the-loop7.8Certification and acceptance7.9Test documentation7.10Workshop: test plan for a platform
8.1Requirements definition8.2Sensor selection8.3Actuator selection8.4Dynamic modelling8.5Control design8.6Performance simulation8.7Verification plan8.8Safety analysis8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake period, which makes it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape Multibody, dSPACE, LabVIEW, MSC Adams, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied using real procedures for vibration table tests, hardware-in-the-loop control tests and inertial sensor characterisation. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the architecture of stabilised platforms.
Select inertial sensors based on their specifications.
Size electric and hydraulic actuators.
Model the dynamics of multi-axis platforms.
Design robust stabilisation controllers.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 800 hours, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours a week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape Multibody, dSPACE, LabVIEW, MSC Adams. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Spanish Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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