Explosives Ordnance Engineering Apprenticeship MSc

Cranfield University

The aim of Introductory Studies is to prepare students for their subsequent programme of study on the assessed modules. The module is designed to enable students to revise, consolidate and expand their skill and knowledge base so that they can derive maximum benefit from their course of study. It is an optional module and carries a formal credit rating of zero, although a student’s understanding of the materials covered may be tested as part of the assessment for subsequent course modules.

Select appropriate tools to undertake research in EOE. To provide the tools to successfully undertake M-Level studies in EOE.

To provide a through life perspective of explosives ordnance engineering.

The aim of the module is to provide you with the skills and knowledge to analyse targets and defeat mechanisms.

To enable an understanding of the ways in which a lethality mechanism (warhead) may be delivered to a selected target.

To provide a capstone module for the EOE MSc, by integrating the learning from the taught phase with a critical evaluation of new trends and technologies in EOE.

To apply appropriate safety assurance for activities through life involving ordnance, munitions and explosives (OME).

To provide you with a critical understanding and practical experience of testing methods, regimes and requirements for explosives and explosive articles.

To develop an understanding of the principles of rocket propulsion and of rocket propellant composition and performance.

Extreme but credible accidents and enemy action (EA)2 can cause munitions to react violently, with potentially severe consequences for people, equipment and infrastructure. Using a common scientific framework and set of evidence, Insensitive Munitions (IM) Policy drives the design of safer munitions; Hazard Classification (HC) controls their storage and transport; and Explosive Risk assessment builds on these to manage residual risks.

The aim of the Design for Vulnerability module is to explore the policies and processes used to manage the consequences of such EA2 events throughout the munition lifecycle; the science underpinning the response of energetic materials and weapons systems to these EA2 events; design principles to minimise the responses; and tools and techniques to manage these responses.

Taking the IM and HC criteria as a starting point, this module describes the reaction mechanisms that can lead to violent reactions and associated experimental and modelling techniques; and develops the qualities needed for safe design through explosive and propellant formulation; warhead, rocket motor packaging design; together with threat hazard assessment to develop a risk-based approach to accidents or actionEA2, through an holistic approach to munitions safety balancing a sense of the possible against need.

To provide a comprehensive overview of the behaviour of explosives in the environment and their pollutant linkages.

This structured programme is typically delivered through collaboration with an industrial sponsor. The module will enable you to demonstrate their ability to generate a contribution to a work-based problem and a new or revised service offering suitable solutions and to apply learned knowledge, skills and behaviours within their own workplace. In most cases, the results of the research programme should be set in the context of related work. Successful completion of this module will enable you to achieve both an MSc in Explosives Ordnance and Engineering and the apprenticeship in Ordnance Munitions and Explosives.