Diploma in Tactical Aircraft Design
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in tactical aircraft design: 8 modules covering conceptual design, configuration, weight and balance, performance, structures, systems and avionics, and cost and certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Tactical Aircraft Design — studying from Canada
Canada's defence sector is centred on procurement and sustainment through the Department of National Defence and Defence Research and Development Canada. Industrial activity spans land vehicles, naval systems, avionics and electronics, with firms in Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia and British Columbia. Companies such as General Dynamics Land Systems Canada and Lockheed Martin Canada are notable employers, alongside a broad base of small and medium suppliers. Engineers work on systems integration, vehicle protection, logistics and sustainment, operating within strict security and export control frameworks.
Fees for Canada: C$2,330 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Which Canadian bodies or processes govern defence engineering recognition?
Defence engineering in Canada often involves government procurement and security clearances, and engineers typically hold provincial Professional Engineer licences where a title is required. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not official state degrees or accredited by a national body, so they do not confer licensing or clearance. Recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide, so verify this first.
Would Canadian defence or land systems employers accept this training?
Canadian defence employers and contractors generally rely on security clearance, licensing and demonstrated experience. A private qualification may support your application, but it is unlikely to replace those requirements, and its acceptance is up to each employer. A SEIUM final project can help show applied skill, so discuss expectations with prospective employers early.
Can I study remotely while working, and what are the costs and language demands?
Yes, the programmes are fully online, so you can study from Canada or elsewhere without a student visa, and fit sessions around work. Specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. Teaching is in English, supported by an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be available.
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
Apply the conceptual aircraft design methodology.
Define the configuration and geometry.
Manage weight and balance.
Calculate performance and manoeuvrability diagrams.
Establish loads and preliminary structures.
Define the systems architecture.
Estimate costs and plan certification.
Who it's for
- Aircraft design engineers moving into military and training aircraft.
- Performance engineers.
- Weights engineers.
- Structures engineers working on airframes.
- Systems engineers in aeronautical programmes.
- Programme cost analysts.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the aerospace industry.
What you'll work with
- JSSG-2001B (air vehicle joint service specification guide)
- JSSG-2006 (aircraft structures)
- MIL-HDBK-516C (airworthiness certification criteria)
- MIL-STD-1797A (flying qualities of piloted aircraft)
- EMAR 21 (European military airworthiness certification requirements)
- OpenVSP
- XFLR5
- MATLAB
- CATIA V5
- SUAVE
8 modules
1.1Design process according to Raymer and Roskam1.2Mission requirements1.3Mission profiles1.4Initial weight estimation1.5Fuel fractions1.6Wing loading and thrust-to-weight ratio1.7Constraint diagrams1.8Alternative configurations1.9Trade studies1.10Practical: initial sizing of an advanced trainer
2.1Wing planform2.2Sweep and aspect ratio2.3Tail surfaces2.4Canard configuration2.5Fuselage design2.6Air intakes2.7Landing gear2.8Internal volume2.9Engine integration2.10Workshop: configuration in OpenVSP
3.1Statistical weight methods3.2Weight breakdown3.3Centre of gravity3.4Centre-of-gravity envelope3.5Moments of inertia3.6Weight growth3.7Design margins3.8Weight management3.9Fuel burn and balance3.10Case study: balance diagram
4.1Take-off and landing4.2Climb4.3Cruise4.4Range and endurance4.5Sustained turn4.6Specific excess power4.7Flight envelope4.8Energy-manoeuvrability diagrams4.9Agility4.10Lab: energy-manoeuvrability diagram
5.1Design loads5.2V-n diagram5.3Load factors according to JSSG-20065.4Material selection5.5Structural layout5.6Fatigue5.7Damage tolerance5.8Structural weight estimation5.9Composite structures5.10Case study: V-n diagram of a trainer
6.1Fly-by-wire flight controls6.2Hydraulic system6.3Electrical system6.4Fuel system6.5Environmental control6.6Avionics6.7Cockpit design6.8Crew escape systems6.9Maintainability6.10Practical: systems architecture
7.1DAPCA IV cost model7.2Life-cycle cost7.3Production7.4EMAR military certification7.5Development testing7.6Sustainment7.7Programme risks7.8Exports7.9M-346, T-7A and PC-21 programmes7.10Case study: cost estimation with DAPCA
8.1Mission requirements8.2Sizing8.3Configuration8.4Weight and balance8.5Performance8.6Preliminary structure8.7Systems8.8Cost and feasibility8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme 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 each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is OpenVSP, XFLR5, MATLAB, CATIA V5 and SUAVE, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practice is based on real procedures for conceptual aircraft sizing, performance analysis and configuration trade studies. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: JSSG-2001B, JSSG-2006, MIL-HDBK-516C, MIL-STD-1797A, EMAR 21.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- 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 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with OpenVSP, XFLR5, MATLAB, CATIA V5 and SUAVE, 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 final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the 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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