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CourseDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Foundations Course in UAV and UGV

300-hour online course in academic foundations in UAV and UGV. 6 modules covering Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (UAS operations), Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (UAS systems) and PX4 / QGroundControl. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe the landscape of unmanned aerial and ground platforms.

02

Explain the architecture of unmanned aerial platforms.

03

Explain the architecture of unmanned ground platforms.

04

Analyse control, communication and payload systems.

05

Apply current operational and airworthiness regulations.

06

Assess the operational safety risks of a mission.

07

Develop an integrative project for an unmanned system.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Unmanned platform engineer looking to specialise in Academic Foundations in UAV and UGV.
  • Control and guidance engineer looking to specialise in Academic Foundations in UAV and UGV.
  • Payload integrator looking to specialise in Academic Foundations in UAV and UGV.
  • Embedded systems engineer looking to specialise in Academic Foundations in UAV and UGV.
  • UAS operations technician looking to specialise in Academic Foundations in UAV and UGV.
  • Ground robotics engineer looking to specialise in Academic Foundations in UAV and UGV.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the aerospace sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (UAS operations)
  • Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (UAS systems)
  • STANAG 4586 (UAV system interoperability)
  • STANAG 4671 (UAV airworthiness)
  • STANAG 4703 (light UAV airworthiness)
  • ISO 21384-3 (UAS operational procedures)
  • MIL-STD-810H (environmental testing)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Classification of aerial and ground platforms
  2. 1.2Components of a complete system
  3. 1.3Levels of autonomy and supervision
  4. 1.4Civil applications by sector
  5. 1.5Market, manufacturers and supply chain
  6. 1.6Regulatory framework by platform type
  7. 1.7Training and required competences
  8. 1.8Sector vocabulary and acronyms
  9. 1.9Sources of technical information
  10. 1.10Exercise: matching platforms to applications
  1. 2.1Multirotor, fixed-wing and hybrid configurations
  2. 2.2Basic aerodynamics and lift
  3. 2.3Propulsion unit and propellers
  4. 2.4Batteries, endurance and energy management
  5. 2.5Structure, materials and maximum weight
  6. 2.6Flight controller and modes
  7. 2.7Navigation sensors and redundancy
  8. 2.8Payload and its integration
  9. 2.9Maintenance and component life
  10. 2.10Practice: sizing a platform for a mission
  1. 3.1Wheeled, tracked and legged configurations
  2. 3.2Traction, suspension and obstacle crossing
  3. 3.3Ground pressure and trafficability
  4. 3.4Transmission and motor control
  5. 3.5Energy: batteries, hybrids and endurance
  6. 3.6Chassis, protection and payload capacity
  7. 3.7Stability and centre of gravity
  8. 3.8Manipulators and tools
  9. 3.9Maintenance and robustness
  10. 3.10Practice: designing the traction of a platform
  1. 4.1Control architecture and loops
  2. 4.2Command and data link
  3. 4.3Ground control station and its interface
  4. 4.4Teleoperation and latency
  5. 4.5Basic autonomous navigation
  6. 4.6Payload sensors: cameras, thermal and laser
  7. 4.7Synchronisation and data logging
  8. 4.8Mechanical and electrical integration of the payload
  9. 4.9Onboard processing versus ground processing
  10. 4.10Practice: integrating a payload
  1. 5.1Mission planning and risk analysis
  2. 5.2Checklists and procedures
  3. 5.3Aviation regulatory framework and its category
  4. 5.4Regulations applicable to ground platforms
  5. 5.5Safety of people and property
  6. 5.6Data protection in data capture
  7. 5.7Operations and maintenance logs
  8. 5.8Operator training and accreditation
  9. 5.9Incident management
  10. 5.10Practice: complete mission plan
  1. 6.1Choice of application and requirements
  2. 6.2Justified platform selection
  3. 6.3Sizing and mass and energy budget
  4. 6.4Control and communications design
  5. 6.5Payload integration
  6. 6.6Risk analysis and regulatory framework
  7. 6.7Operation and maintenance plan
  8. 6.8Economic analysis of the system
  9. 6.9Technical report
  10. 6.10Project defence
Methodology, software & labs

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 the programme with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is PX4 / QGroundControl, ROS 2, MATLAB/Simulink, Gazebo, X-Plane, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real UAV flight simulation procedures, payload integration and UGV navigation testing. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-oriented master's thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:teaching staff with a track record in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, with OT cyber security, DIH and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Choice of application and requirements

Describe the landscape of unmanned aerial and ground platforms.

Justified platform selection

Explain the architecture of unmanned aerial platforms.

Sizing and mass and energy budget

Explain the architecture of unmanned ground platforms.

Control and communications design

Analyse control, communication and payload systems.

Payload integration

Apply current operational and airworthiness regulations.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Unmanned platform engineerControl and guidance engineerPayload integratorEmbedded systems engineerUAS operations technicianGround robotics engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No previous degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

You will work with PX4 / QGroundControl, ROS 2, MATLAB/Simulink, Gazebo and X-Plane. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.

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