Aerial–Ground Interoperability Standards Course
Online 300-hour course on air–ground interoperability standards. 6 modules covering STANAG 5516 (Link 16), MIL-STD-6016 (Link 16 messaging) and Wireshark. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Aerial–Ground Interoperability Standards Course — studying from Australia
Defence is one of Australia's largest engineering employers, with major programmes in land systems, naval platforms, aircraft and integrated systems managed through the Department of Defence. Land systems engineering supports armoured vehicles, weapons and logistics equipment, often through prime contractors and local industry partners. Industry involvement is strongly encouraged through the Defence industry policy framework. Engineers work on sustainment, capability development, systems integration and safety assurance, typically in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne and regional defence precincts.
Fees for Australia: A$1,180 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
How does defence engineering recognition work in Australia?
Defence engineering in Australia is largely run through the Department of Defence and its industry partners, which set their own security clearance and qualification requirements. Engineers Australia is the professional body for accreditation. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies, so recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide.
Which Australian employers hire in defence and land systems?
Australia has defence prime contractors, the Department of Defence, and specialist land systems firms. Many of these roles require Australian security clearances, which depend on citizenship and background checks rather than course completion. Ask employers how they weigh private qualifications against experience and clearance requirements.
Is the course manageable with a job, and does it need a visa?
The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. An assigned technical tutor supports you, fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible.
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
Identify the interoperability issues between air and ground platforms.
Interpret tactical data exchange standards.
Design interoperable communications architectures and networks.
Apply labelling and protection to shared information.
Plan the validation and testing of interoperability.
Define joint operating procedures.
Develop an air–ground interoperability project.
Who it's for
- Tactical data link engineer wishing to specialise in air–ground interoperability standards.
- Systems interoperability engineer wishing to specialise in air–ground interoperability standards.
- Communications network engineer wishing to specialise in air–ground interoperability standards.
- Information security specialist wishing to specialise in air–ground interoperability standards.
- Integration and test engineer wishing to specialise in air–ground interoperability standards.
- Command and control systems analyst wishing to specialise in air–ground interoperability standards.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter the defence industry.
What you'll work with
- STANAG 5516 (Link 16)
- MIL-STD-6016 (Link 16 messaging)
- STANAG 4586 (UAV control)
- STANAG 4609 (digital motion video)
- STANAG 4774 (confidentiality labels)
- STANAG 5066 (HF data)
- ISO/IEC 27001 (information security)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1What interoperability means and at which levels1.2Technical, procedural and human interoperability1.3Actors: air platform, command post and ground unit1.4Time-critical information needs1.5Common operational picture and situational awareness1.6Classic incompatibility problems1.7The cost of non-interoperability1.8Certification and accreditation framework1.9Field vocabulary and acronyms1.10Exercise: map of actors and information flows
2.1Families of tactical messaging standards2.2Data models and data dictionaries2.3Geospatial information exchange formats2.4Common symbology and cartographic representation2.5Entity identification and tracking2.6Timestamps, references and coordinate systems2.7Standard versions and backward compatibility2.8Implementation profiles and interface agreements2.9Configuration management of standards2.10Practice: define an interface profile
3.1Data links and their characteristics3.2Software-defined radio and waveforms3.3Mobile tactical networks and routing3.4Spectrum management and frequency assignment3.5Quality of service and traffic prioritisation3.6Degraded links and intermittent operation3.7Gateways and translation between systems3.8Satellite communications as a complement3.9Latency and its effect on coordination3.10Practice: communications architecture design
4.1Classification levels and separated domains4.2Cross-domain exchange and controlled gateways4.3Authentication and identity management4.4Encryption and management of cryptographic material4.5Need-to-know policy and compartmentalisation4.6Audit logging and traceability4.7Protection against interference and spoofing4.8Information exchange agreements with partners4.9Applicable personal data protection4.10Practice: information exchange policy
5.1Conformity testing against the standard5.2Interoperability testing between systems5.3Integration benches and reference laboratories5.4Validation exercises and campaigns5.5Operating procedures and communication orders5.6Joint training and staff preparation5.7Incident management and lessons learned5.8Documentation of capabilities and interfaces5.9Maintaining interoperability over time5.10Practice: validation campaign plan
6.1Choice of the coordination scenario6.2Map of systems and interfaces6.3Selection of standards and profiles6.4Proposed communications architecture6.5Information security policy6.6Interoperability test plan6.7Associated operating procedures6.8Staff training plan6.9Technical report on the scenario6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Wireshark, MATLAB, Sparx Enterprise Architect, Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for analysing tactical message flows, integration testing in the laboratory and interoperability exercises. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Identify the interoperability issues between air and ground platforms.
Interpret tactical data exchange standards.
Design interoperable communications architectures and networks.
Apply labelling and protection to shared information.
Plan the validation and testing of interoperability.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient English to follow technical standards documents.
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 comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with full-time work.
The programme uses Wireshark, MATLAB, Sparx Enterprise Architect and Python. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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