The Aircraft Design Group is led by Professor Craig Lawson and includes capabilities in aircraft conceptual, preliminary and detail design. With expertise in aircraft structures, systems and avionics, the Group is the largest academic team in Europe dedicated to aircraft design, with multidisciplinary skills and a focus on integration.

The Aircraft Design Group provides research, design and consultancy in the field of aircraft design. The Group is multidisciplinary in nature and has the ability to create innovative solutions for the needs of industry and society.

We offer world-class postgraduate education, including supervising doctoral candidates. The Aircraft Design Group delivers the Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc in parallel with a portfolio of CPD short courses and the part-time MSc in Aircraft Engineering.

Our staff have expertise in the following disciplines:

  • Static and aeroelastic loads
  • Metallic and composite structures
  • Fatigue and Damage tolerance
  • CAD, FEA and Rapid Prototyping
  • Airframe Systems
  • Landing Gear
  • Avionics
  • Reliability and maintainability
  • Airworthiness

We have a portfolio of industry led funded research in all aspects of aircraft design. Industry and government agencies can rely upon our expertise for an independent appraisal of aerospace technologies, and lifecycle, operational and environmental issues. We have a comprehensive capability for the design of cost-effective technology demonstrators for risk reduction, including flying demonstrators.