Diploma in Radar and LO Signature Management
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in radar and low-observable (LO) signature management. 8 modules covering signature as a system requirement, budgets and allocation, integrated LO design, verification, sustainment, programme management and security and export regulations, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Radar and LO Signature Management — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a established defence industry centred on companies such as Denel and Paramount Group, with capabilities in land systems, armoured vehicles and munitions. The sector supports engineering roles in systems integration, vehicle design and test and evaluation. Defence procurement and export controls are overseen by government bodies, and the industry works closely with the South African National Defence Force. Engineers in this field typically combine mechanical, electrical and systems skills.
Fees for South Africa: R 33 400 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Which South African bodies regulate or recognise defence and military engineering professionals?
Engineers in South Africa are registered through ECSA under the Engineering Profession Act, and defence programmes are guided by institutions such as the South African National Defence Force and Armscor, which set their own requirements. SEIUM is a private online institute, and its qualifications are not state degrees or accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by these bodies and your employer, so confirm with them first.
Would this qualification help me find work in South Africa's defence or land systems sector?
South Africa has a defence industry with state-linked entities and private contractors, and employers usually require security clearances, relevant experience and recognised qualifications. A private online programme may support your application but does not guarantee employment or clearance. Check requirements with prospective employers, as roles in this sector can be sensitive and tightly controlled.
Can I study alongside a job, and are there funding options?
The course is 100% online and taught in English, so you need strong English, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, each with an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, so ask whether your employer would fund part of the training.
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
Treat signature as a systems engineering requirement.
Prepare and manage signature budgets.
Integrate low-observability criteria into design.
Plan signature verification.
Manage the sustainment of low-signature platforms.
Apply management techniques for complex programmes.
Comply with security and export requirements.
Who it's for
- Platform signature managers.
- Systems engineers working on defence platforms.
- Verification managers.
- Defence programme managers.
- Sustainment engineers.
- Technical risk analysts.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2023 (system life cycle processes)
- IEEE Std 1502-2007 (radar cross-section test procedures)
- ISO 31000:2018 (risk management guidelines)
- ITAR 22 CFR 120-130 (US International Traffic in Arms Regulations)
- EU Common Military List (export control of military equipment)
- AQAP-2110 (NATO quality assurance requirements for design, development and production)
- ISO 21502:2020 (project, programme and portfolio management guidance)
- Cameo Systems Modeler
- Altair FEKO
- MATLAB
- Microsoft Project
8 modules
1.1Signature in systems engineering1.2Life cycle according to ISO/IEC/IEEE 152881.3Stakeholders1.4Customer requirements1.5Derived requirements1.6Signature budget1.7Trade-offs with other performance attributes1.8Signature risks1.9Technical governance1.10Practical exercise: signature requirements tree
2.1Breakdown by component2.2Individual contributions2.3Design margins2.4Sensitivity analysis2.5Hot spots2.6Trade studies2.7Budget verification2.8Change management2.9Tracking indicators2.10Workshop: RCS budget for a platform
3.1Surface shaping3.2Air intakes and exhausts3.3Antenna integration3.4Edge treatment3.5Windows and canopies3.6Materials integration3.7Manufacturing tolerances3.8Joints and access panels3.9Infrared integration3.10Case study: impact of an antenna on the budget
4.1Verification plan4.2Component testing4.3Scale models4.4Measurement of the complete platform4.5Diagnostic techniques4.6Correlation with models4.7Acceptance criteria4.8Uncertainty4.9Documentation4.10Laboratory: ISAR image analysis
5.1Maintenance of special surfaces5.2Flight-line diagnostics5.3Repairs5.4Surface inspection5.5Material shelf life5.6Sustainment costs5.7Public lessons from low-signature fleets5.8Operational availability5.9Technician training5.10Case study: sustainment cost of a fleet
6.1Planning6.2Cost control6.3Risk management6.4Supplier management6.5Information security6.6Configuration management6.7Quality6.8Lessons from programmes6.9Governance6.10Case study: signature risk register
7.1Information classification7.2ITAR and EAR regulations7.3Common Military List7.4Protection of industrial information7.5International cooperation7.6Professional ethics7.7Environmental impact of materials7.8Occupational health7.9Security audits7.10Workshop: technical information protection plan
8.1Platform and mission8.2Signature requirements8.3Budget and allocation8.4Design architecture8.5Verification plan8.6Sustainment plan8.7Risk management8.8Information protection plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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 the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Cameo Systems Modeler, Altair FEKO, MATLAB and Microsoft Project, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures for signature budget verification, ISAR imaging diagnostics and sustainment audits. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrated project.
Standards covered: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2023, IEEE Std 1502-2007, ISO 31000:2018, ITAR 22 CFR 120-130, the EU Common Military List, AQAP-2110 and ISO 21502:2020.
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.
- An 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 Cameo Systems Modeler, Altair FEKO, MATLAB and Microsoft Project, 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 capable of running 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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