The Defence College for Military Capability Integration marked the graduation of nine students from No 55 AeroSystems Course, delivered by the Defence Airworthiness and AeroSystems Technology School on 23 July 2026.
The year-long master’s programme, delivered in partnership with Cranfield University, prepares students for specialist roles in flight trials, requirements management and air capability development.
Across 12 modules, students explored subjects including the electromagnetic spectrum, guided weapons, uncrewed air systems and simulation, supported by a military contextualisation programme throughout.
Field visits to military bases and leading aerospace companies in the UK and overseas gave students first-hand exposure to cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence, data fusion, and aviation technology.
The course concluded with a capstone project, in which students identified a defence capability gap and developed actionable recommendations, demonstrating the skills they built over the year.
Graduates now hold the Qualified AeroSystems (QAS) badge and will take up roles in either test and evaluation or capability and acquisition. In these roles, they will help ensure warfighters receive appropriate, timely, and cost-effective equipment.
Congratulations to everyone who graduated from the No 55 AeroSystems Course this year. Their achievement reflects a year of demanding academic study, practical application, and professional development. They now leave the course equipped to make an important contribution to air capability across defence.