Master’s in EW, Signatures & Base Protection Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in electronic warfare (EW), signature management and base protection engineering, structured in 12 modules covering radar, infrared, acoustic and visual signatures, EW fundamentals, EW testing, base and facility protection, counter-UAS, base sensors and the legal framework, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in EW, Signatures & Base Protection Engineering — 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$15,800 (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
Characterise the radar, infrared, acoustic and visual signatures of platforms.
Understand the academic fundamentals of electronic warfare.
Plan testing and certification of electromagnetic systems.
Analyse vulnerabilities of bases and facilities.
Design protection architectures against unmanned aircraft systems.
Integrate sensors into security operations centres.
Evaluate the legal and ethical framework of facility protection.
Who it's for
- Signature management engineers working on platforms and vehicles.
- Electronic warfare engineers in industry or defence organisations.
- Infrastructure protection engineers for critical sites and airports.
- Electromagnetic test engineers in laboratories and test ranges.
- Physical security analysts assessing facility vulnerabilities.
- Surveillance systems engineers integrating sensors and C-UAS solutions.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the defence and security sector.
What you'll work with
- MIL-STD-461G (electromagnetic interference control requirements)
- MIL-STD-464C (electromagnetic environmental effects for systems)
- UFC 4-010-01 (minimum antiterrorism standards for buildings)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules for the operation of unmanned aircraft)
- Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions (protection of victims of international armed conflicts)
- IEEE Std 1502 (RCS measurement)
- EN 50131 (alarm systems)
- MATLAB
- POFACETS
- MODTRAN
- CST Studio Suite
- ANSYS HFSS
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1The concept of platform signature1.2Radar, infrared, acoustic, visual and magnetic signatures1.3The operational electromagnetic environment1.4Electronic warfare: public doctrinal definitions1.5Support, attack and protection measures: concepts1.6Protection of forces and facilities1.7Legal and ethical framework1.8Industry and European programmes1.9Overview of civil detection capabilities1.10Case study: signature inventory of a commercial vehicle
2.1Radar equation and probability of detection2.2Radar cross section: definition and measurement2.3Specular scattering, diffraction and surface waves2.4RCS prediction using physical optics2.5Radar-absorbent materials2.6Geometric shaping2.7RCS measurement in a compact range2.8Ground surveillance radars2.9Impact of RCS on detection2.10Lab: RCS calculation with POFACETS
3.1Black-body radiation and emissivity3.2Atmospheric transmission in the IR3.3Signature sources: engines, exhausts and surfaces3.4Thermal modelling of platforms3.5Low-emissivity coatings3.6Active thermal management3.7IR detection sensors3.8IR signature measurement3.9Thermal simulation tools3.10Practical exercise: thermal signature modelling with MODTRAN
4.1Noise generation in vehicles4.2Outdoor acoustic propagation4.3Noise and vibration reduction4.4Visual signature and contrast4.5Visual camouflage: academic principles4.6Magnetic signature and degaussing4.7Seismic signature4.8Measurement of non-electromagnetic signatures4.9Vehicle noise regulations4.10Case study: noise reduction of a field generator
5.1Spectrum and emitter systems5.2Surveillance receivers: principles5.3Signal and parameter analysis5.4Electronic protection measures5.5Robustness of communications and radars5.6Compatibility between own systems5.7Emitter databases5.8Simulation of the EW environment5.9Legal framework for emissions5.10Workshop: parameter analysis of simulated signals
6.1Electronic warfare laboratories6.2Scenario generators and simulators6.3Anechoic chamber testing6.4Open-air test ranges6.5Electromagnetic compatibility testing6.6Model validation6.7Test regulations6.8Safety in tests involving emissions6.9Certification reports6.10Practical exercise: test plan for a receiver in a chamber
7.1Threat and vulnerability analysis7.2The concept of force protection7.3Perimeter security and access control7.4Perimeter surveillance sensors7.5Physical protection of infrastructure7.6Blast protection engineering: regulations7.7Dispersion and redundancy of facilities7.8Emergency management at the base7.9UFC 4-010-01 and equivalent standards7.10Case study: vulnerability analysis of a facility
8.1UAS threats to infrastructure8.2UAS detection: radar, RF, optical and acoustic8.3Remote identification of UAS8.4Legal framework for neutralisation8.5Layered protection architectures8.6Integration with security systems8.7Protection of civil airports8.8European regulations on C-UAS8.9System evaluation8.10Workshop: detection architecture for an airport
9.1Security operations centre9.2Integration of heterogeneous sensors9.3Surveillance data fusion9.4Intelligent video surveillance9.5Alarm management9.6Base communications9.7Energy and system resilience9.8Base cybersecurity9.9User interfaces9.10Lab: sensor integration on a PSIM platform
10.1International humanitarian law10.2Protection of civilians and civilian objects10.3Telecommunications and emissions regulations10.4Use of force in facility protection10.5Data protection in surveillance10.6Export controls10.7Professional responsibility10.8Legal review of new technologies10.9Ethics in defence engineering10.10Case study: legal analysis of a base protection system
11.1Life cycle of EW and protection systems11.2Requirements and specification11.3Platform integration11.4Logistic support11.5Updating threat libraries11.6Operator training11.7Costs and feasibility11.8European programmes11.9Technology trends11.10Workshop: life-cycle cost analysis
12.1Definition of the case study12.2Signature or threat analysis12.3Technological state of the art12.4Proposed solution12.5Modelling and simulation12.6Test plan12.7Legal and ethical analysis12.8Conclusions and recommendations12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, POFACETS, MODTRAN, CST Studio Suite and ANSYS HFSS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for radar cross section measurement and prediction, infrared signature modelling of platforms and vulnerability analysis of facilities. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: MIL-STD-461G, MIL-STD-464C, UFC 4-010-01, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, IEEE Std 1502, EN 50131.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB, POFACETS, MODTRAN, CST Studio Suite and ANSYS HFSS, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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