Students from the No 52 AeroSystems Course, based at the Defence Academy, have been awarded the coveted title 'QAS' (Qualified AeroSystems) after successfully completing 11 months of studies and training.
The AeroSystems Course trains and readies students for roles in areas such as flight trials, requirements management and air capability development. The course is underpinned by an academic master’s delivered through the partnership with Cranfield University. This is complemented by a military contextualisation programme that includes field visits to military bases and leading aerospace companies in the UK, Sweden and Israel, where the students learn first-hand about cutting-edge developments and methodologies in artificial intelligence, data fusion and aviation technology.
Twelve students graduated from the AeroSystems Course at the Defence Academy this year. Requiring a thorough understanding of the science behind technology, the AeroSystems Course also emphasised the importance of practical application in the aviation sector.
The annual course has been in existence since the 1960s and is sponsored by the Air and Space Warfare Centre (ASWC) at RAF Waddington, with the Defence Academy as the training provider.
Around 85 guests attended the graduation ceremony on Thursday 27 July, including students, staff, families, industry partners and military personnel. They were joined by the Deputy Commandant of the Air and Space Warfare Centre, Group Captain Andy Burton and the Chief Executive and Commandant Defence Academy, Major General Andrew Roe, who said:
“I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to the students of No 52 AeroSystems Course upon their graduation. This renowned Course offers the students a chance to study an MSc with Cranfield University, in a challenging year that takes the students around the UK and further afield to Sweden and Israel. This graduation and presentation of the coveted Qualified AeroSystems (QAS) qualification is their reward for a year of hard work and sees the students moving onto vitally important roles in Test & Evaluation and Capability Acquisition where they will offer Defence immense benefit.”
The AeroSystem course is delivered by the Defence Air and Space Technology School (DASTS) within the Defence College for Military Capability Integration.