Poll: Weapons Development

[Dahni]

[sub]first of all, i'm from the UK, so I might use terms that are weird for non-UK based Escapists.[/sub]

At the end of this year, I'm going to start applying for university courses for when I finish my 6th year of high school. Therefore I'm looking at entry in September-ish 2011. I know this is planning ahead but I want to get as much information as I can before I get asked to choose which courses to apply for.

For the past two or three years, I've taken a massive interest in heavy weaponry. This, combined with the fact that I love Physics, Chemistry and Engineering, has inspired me to start looking into a career in the military doing heavy weapon development. I'm talking Artillery. The big guns. Missiles. etc.

There's a military recruitment & information centre about 30 miles away from me, so I plan to travel there to ask an expert on this kind of this thing, but I would quite like to see what you guys think first, so that I can do some more research into whatever course you guys deem to be suitable.

Obviously, I've gathered that I'd have to do Engineering of some kind. So far, I've looked at Mechanical Engineering [http://courses.brighton.ac.uk/course.php?cnum=161] and Electrical & Electronic Engineering [http://courses.brighton.ac.uk/course.php?cnum=637].

My question is, which of those courses would be more appropriate for me to help me get into the career I want? Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic or some other kind?

 

[Jedamethis]

You crazy Scotsman!
I have no idea what would help, but good luck with it!

 

[goatzilla8463]

A girl that enjoys weapons? How absurd!

Seconded.

OT: Computing or software development?

 

[GundamSentinel]

Out of those two Electrical Engineering seems more appropriate, since there is a lot of systems engineering in heavy weapons these days. For small arms Mechanical engineering is more applicable

I'd say for missiles you'd best go for Aerospace Engineering. Ballistics too. They do that kind of stuff. A friend of mine is doing that now and also looking at options for military rocket engineering. For ballistics you might look at Physics too.

 

[Quid Plura]

Considering your interest in Physics and Chemistry, I'd say Mechanical. Even in our computer age, they'll still need mechanical parts to protect, enhance the electrical parts of weapons. So there's a future in it as well.

Another option might be to get a BA or MA in Physics, Chemistry or the like (if that's possible), and get in from a higher level of education, maybe kickstarting your career.

(Note: I'm not familiar with the UK)

 

[Dahni]

A girl that enjoys weapons? How absurd!

Sorry.

I have no idea. I voted mechanical engineering, simply because it seemed to be more appropriate, but I'm sure there's definitely a specialised course that you can take for it, so I'd say either go to the recruiting centre, or maybe just contact the MOD directly.

A girl that enjoys weapons? How absurd!

Seconded.

OT: Computing or software development?

You two are certainly not the first to say that to me. My friends have taken a spaz attack because they can't comprehend how I can be so girly but then also play games and be interested in weaponry.

I appreciate the input. Thank you.

 

[sabbat]

It wouldn't hurt to have both.

 

[Dahni]

It wouldn't hurt to have both.

I can't have both.

I only will be able to pay for getting one degree so I need to pick one. Obviously I'm going to apply for both but I need to know which I'm going to accept should I get offered a place for both.

 

[Olikunmissile]

Electrical. We're at the dawn of a new age. (Orbital weapons batteries, realistic Railguns (there's a name for them that I just can't remember right now, you know what I mean, bullets fired and sped up within the barrel by electromagnets) Electrical will be the best bet to secure yourself a job in the future.

Off topic, How incredibly sexist of me to assume you were a boy because you like guns. I'm going to send myself to the corner to think about what I have done wrong.

 

[Johnnyallstar]

A chick who loves heavy weaponry? I think I'm in love.

But anyways, it really depends on which part of the process you want to work in.

Computer engineering for programming is great for working in the systems so you can develop jamming programs, targeting programs, IFF systems, GPS nav for aiming, etc etc.

Electronic engineering is what you want for the building and developing the electronic hardware. So if you want to put the tinker toys together this is your route. This one will have more of a grease monkey job, because you're going to be in charge of making sure it works. Machining is basically the same, except you'd be working with the large heavy parts, like the barrels and platforms, not the intricate electronics. The job is basically to make sure the machines work.

Physics major would be preferable if you want to work on the actual projectiles, or develop new ways of armament deployment, because that's mostly the "think-tank" of development, where a ton of number crunching is involved, and less of a "hands on" involvement.

Chemical engineering is mostly for warheads and propellant development. So if you like to work with the stuff that goes boom, that's a good path.

Hope this helps in any way, but it would be best if you would call up a recruiter, see if he can get in touch with an artillery/heavy weapons spec, and ask him for help.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

Electronic strikes (get it?) me as guidance systems sort of things, and I think you'd like more 'splosion based stuff.

So mechanical.

 

[Dahni]

Electrical. We're at the dawn of a new age. (Orbital weapons batteries, realistic Railguns (there's a name for them that I just can't remember right now, you know what I mean, bullets fired and sped up within the barrel by electromagnets) Electrical will be the best bet to secure yourself a job in the future.

Off topic, How incredibly sexist of me to assume you were a boy because you like guns. I'm going to send myself to the corner to think about what I have done wrong.

The railguns are actually something amazes me. I did a week long "course" at university as part of my Higher Physics course where we got a demonstration of them. Actually one of the most awesome things I've ever seen in my life.

Sexist, maybe. Was I expecting it? Definitely. It's a very easy mistake to make.

A chick who loves heavy weaponry? I think I'm in love.

But anyways, it really depends on which part of the process you want to work in.

Computer engineering for programming is great for working in the systems so you can develop jamming programs, targeting programs, IFF systems, GPS nav for aiming, etc etc.

Electronic engineering is what you want for the building and developing the hardware. So if you want to put the tinker toys together this is your route. This one will have more of a grease monkey job, because you're going to be in charge of making sure it works.

Physics major would be preferable if you want to work on the actual projectiles, or develop new ways of armament deployment, because that's mostly the "think-tank" of development, where a ton of number crunching is involved, and less of a "hands on" involvement.

Chemical engineering is mostly for warheads and propellant development. So if you like to work with the stuff that goes boom, that's a good path.

Hope this helps in any way, but it would be best if you would call up a recruiter, see if he can get in touch with an artillery/heavy weapons spec, and ask him for help.

I'll be honest, I'm loving the fact that guys on here love the fact that I'm into weapons.
:')

I really want to be hands-on in the development. Physically building and testing. So by the looks of it Electronic Engineering or Machining is gonna be the one for me. Thank you!

 

[Olikunmissile]

snip

The railguns are actually something amazes me. I did a week long "course" at university as part of my Higher Physics course where we got a demonstration of them. Actually one of the most awesome things I've ever seen in my life.

Sexist, maybe. Was I expecting it? Definitely. It's a very easy mistake to make.

more snip

A demonstration? Say wut? That's so terribly badass it makes me sad. I'd like to demand some details. How did the weapon look? Was it hand held? does it have a changeable power supply? What kind of ammo did it fire?

Too many questions?

 

[mb16]

snip

this is me in a nutshell, im doing mechanical engineering with CAD at Plymouth (this year) and i want to got on to work for BAE or EADS.

don't know exactly what part of the company to go for probably the one with an opening, but I would like to design it more than build it hence the CAD.

 

[Ironsouled]

Explosives Engineering. Make the warheads and powder charges of all those pretty missiles/110 mm rounds.

 

[Johnnyallstar]

*snip

^_^ Everyone loves a chick who enjoys a good *BOOM*
Well, still, I would double check with someone who is actually in the field just to insure you know what you are getting into when you start.

Considering the talk of railguns, I'll add my 2 cents into the mix. The biggest problems they have so far, as I understand it, is the the power source, and the durability of the actual rifles. The heat and friction nearly destroys the rails immediately, and it takes incredible amounts of juice to power them. So the two tricks really are to figure out a new material for the rails, and somehow harness an incredible source of power that's not only huge, but also reliable and stable. Can't logically have a battleship sized platform with only one gun and a massive power plant.

 

[Dahni]

snip

The railguns are actually something amazes me. I did a week long "course" at university as part of my Higher Physics course where we got a demonstration of them. Actually one of the most awesome things I've ever seen in my life.

Sexist, maybe. Was I expecting it? Definitely. It's a very easy mistake to make.

more snip

A demonstration? Say wut? That's so terribly badass it makes me sad. I'd like to demand some details. How did the weapon look? Was it hand held? does it have a changeable power supply? What kind of ammo did it fire?

Too many questions?

I can't remember all of the details because it was a few months ago, but yeah. One of the days we were there, we got to go to the research department of the Engineering & Science campus, and they had the gun set up with concrete walls a fair distance in front. It was only a little one. About the side of my arm or so. I really couldn't tell you the details of it because we didn't get told much about it. They moved us on pretty fast. They essentially said "this is a railgun. Electromagnets are used to speed the bullets up to increase the kinetic energy to maximise the damage inflicted. Look what it does to this wall we've set up" & then we only got to see it fire 3 or 4 rounds before we were ushered away. I was gutted about that because I really wanted to know more about it.

 

[Olikunmissile]

snip

The railguns are actually something amazes me. I did a week long "course" at university as part of my Higher Physics course where we got a demonstration of them. Actually one of the most awesome things I've ever seen in my life.

Sexist, maybe. Was I expecting it? Definitely. It's a very easy mistake to make.

more snip

A demonstration? Say wut? That's so terribly badass it makes me sad. I'd like to demand some details. How did the weapon look? Was it hand held? does it have a changeable power supply? What kind of ammo did it fire?

Too many questions?

I can't remember all of the details because it was a few months ago, but yeah. One of the days we were there, we got to go to the research department of the Engineering & Science campus, and they had the gun set up with concrete walls a fair distance in front. It was only a little one. About the side of my arm or so. I really couldn't tell you the details of it because we didn't get told much about it. They moved us on pretty fast. They essentially said "this is a railgun. Electromagnets are used to speed the bullets up to increase the kinetic energy to maximise the damage inflicted. Look what it does to this wall we've set up" & then we only got to see it fire 3 or 4 rounds before we were ushered away. I was gutted about that because I really wanted to know more about it.

Awwh. Gutted! >.> I love the theory behind them but hard data and facts on them is hard to come by. Still seriously awesome you got to see one. Some people really are lucky.

 

[Quaxar]

A girl that's into weapons? Whatever... but a girl that's into engineering and science and may grant me access to secret weapon development gouvernment facilities in the future? Now that's a definite *rrr*!

I'd say electronical since new equipment has so many electronical parts, even bullets with built in radio. So that definitely has a future in weapon development.

 

[Dahni]

A girl that's into weapons? Whatever... but a girl that's into engineering and science and may grant me access to secret weapon development gouvernment facilities in the future? Now that's a definite *rrr*!

I'd say electronical since new equipment has so many electronical parts, even bullets with built in radio. So that definitely has a future in weapon development.

That made me laugh really hard. Thanks. :')
I'm flattered. ;D

... there's bullets with built-in radio? wow.