WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A WEAPONS ENGINEER
WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A WEAPONS ENGINEER:
THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Jose O. Bautista II
College 155
Akilah Nosakhere
New Mexico State University – Carlsbad
July 16, 2012
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WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A WEAPONS ENGINEER
Abstract
In this paper I will postulate—based on the research I have conducted—that a direct and indirect
fire weapons engineer may be any of 6 major engineering disciplines with the additional
education in information technology—specifically networking. Although the “ideal” weapon
engineer will be addressed by answering some predetermined questions. There are only two
accredited schools in the US to offer a program in Weapons Engineering—Air Force Academy
and the Naval Academy.
1. What emphasis should I have choose within the Engineering field?
2. What minors should I strive for in each bachelor?
3. Which Master’s Degree should be chosen in the field or related field?
4. Which Post-graduate Degree should be chosen in the field or related field?
5. What types of weapons could be developed with degrees in these fields?
6. Are there any other non related educational requirements that need addressing?
The conclusion to my research is that depending on the aspect of concentration of a
direct/indirect fire weapons platform (system of subsystem) that interest you should be the
driving force behind which Undergraduate degree you choose as well as Graduate and Postgraduate degree(s). It is commonly known that in order to be in research an individual
traditionally requires a minimum of a Masters Degree.
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WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A WEAPONS ENGINEER
The Beginning: Education
The educational requirements for a direct fire and indirect fire weapons engineer do not vary
much in traditional land or ground warfare platforms. The implementation and integration of new
technologies easily foresee the changes in future combat system and with those changes the
educational requirements for career field also must change. Currently the Department of Defense
and Civilian sector contractors require a one and one preference. That is one degree with one
minor in the disciplines listed below. The best method to prepare to enter the field of weapons
engineering is to look at achieving 2 different disciplines out of 6 disciplines listed below with
preferred minors in at least 1 or 2 of the other 4 disciplines. Those fields are as follows:
1.
1. Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
4. Electrical Engineering

2. Mechanical Engineering
5. Computer and Computational Sciences

3. Materials Science and Engineering
6. Physics
The degree plans offered at NMSU that best closely mirror these disciplines are as follows:
Undergraduate Majors
Concentration or Emphasis
1.
Electrical and Computer Engineering 1. Control, Communications, Computer Arch,
2.
Aerospace Engineering
Digital Design, Power, Electromagnetic,
3.
Mechanical Engineering
Electronics, Photonics, Signal Processing
4.
Engineering Physics
2.
NONE
3.
NONE
4.
Aerospace, Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical
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WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A WEAPONS ENGINEER
The ideal educational requirement to obtain a sustainable employment in the direct and indirect
fire weapons engineering would consist of 2 bachelor’s degrees in engineering—Electrical and
Mechanical Engineering. These undergraduate degree’s traditionally have a minimum of 9-12
semester hours of equivalent education which do not include curriculum electives that require
knowledge form another engineering discipline. In practice one can achieve both undergraduate
degree plans in 10-11 semesters (5 years), if classes are available during summer months and
opportunity is taken by the student. Attaining these degrees’s using electives from one degree to
compliment the other leaves no room for a minor at this level. The positive aspect of this is that it
meets most of the minimum curriculum requirement for a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering at
the undergraduate level which will expedite the process of meeting the 300 and 400 level
prerequisites and provide an academic advantage at the 500 and 600 level courses. This is better
explained later in the report.
The concentration he/she suggested in Electrical and Computer Engineering is in Electro-Optics,
which would compliment both small arms and large caliber weapons platforms that require target
acquisition and sighting optics for accuracy and target acquisition speed. Coupled with
Mechanical Engineering these skills could be used in whole weapons research and design to
incorporate systems or subsystems to perform like traditional combat systems such as the M1
Abrams Main Battle Tank or the M2/3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle. At least the education
could put him/her in a small lead role in the research or development until a Graduate Degree is
accomplished.
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WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A WEAPONS ENGINEER
Graduate Degree’s
Concentration or Emphasis
1.
Electrical and Computer Engineering 1. Circuits Systems, Computer, Digital /Comm.,
2.
Aerospace Engineering
Electromagnetics & Microwave, Electronics,
3.
Mechanical Engineering
Energy Systems, and Photonics
Note: If curriculum and time allows, follow
2.
a minor in Physics.
Applied Mechanics, Biomechanics,
Composites, Computational Mechanics,
Dynamic Systems, Materials Science,
Mechatronics, and Thermal Science
3.
Same as no. 2
In order to compliment the knowledge from undergraduate knowledge and be considered for hire
in a research laboratory is a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering. Mechanical Engineering is
closely related to the curriculum in Aerospace Engineering. Ironically Aerospace Engineering
also integrates a modest amount of the curriculum from Electrical and Computer Engineering in
its curriculum. Although some of these similarities are at the lower baccalaureate level, there are
a minimum of 9-12 credits at the upper level that are cross listed equivalent education from each
discipline that compliment the Aerospace Engineer discipline. At the graduate education level
emphasis should be left up to the student.
A Master’s in Aerospace Engineering will compliment any weapons engineer that will deal with
projectiles because of the flight knowledge that need to be addressed. An emphasis at this level is
suggested to be in anything that he/she lacks knowledge in or foresees a need especially if he/she
is already in an internship or engaged in a related project at this point in his/her career. A minor
at this level is suggested in Physics if he/she has the available time to pursue it.
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WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A WEAPONS ENGINEER
Doctor of Philosophy
Concentration
1.
Electrical and Computer Engineering
1-4. NONE
2.
Aerospace Engineering
5.
3.
Mechanical Engineering
disciplines listed in 1-4 with a minimum of
4.
Physics
18 hours of dissertation work at the 700
5.
Interdisciplinary Studies
level. Suggested minor in Physics.
12-15 credits of each from 3 of the 4
The Post-graduate education suggestion is one in either Physics, or Interdisciplinary Studies as
described in the chart above. This will compliment the entire educational requirement of a
weapons engineer. The Interdisciplinary Studies will provide a well rounded aspect of the
dynamic education requirement for the challenges facing advanced levels of weapons research
and design.
Impacts of Weapons Design: Political, Military and Ethical
One of the challenges of weapons design is development of weapons based on political and
international relations of friend and foe. Currently many engineering programs integrate aspects
of business, consumer necessity and even biometrics and/or ergonomics to satisfy consumer
desires for the product being designed. The same methodology should be used in weapons
design.
The Political environment strongly influences and even decides the project success. For example,
the perceived unnecessary ruthless killings of Iraqi civilians in the first year after major combat
operations in 2003 by highly trained and equipped soldiers of the US Army such as myself. The
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WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A WEAPONS ENGINEER
constant changes of commander (CO) directives based on force protection (FP) requirement and
Soldiers were directed to use lethal force if certain real or perceived boundaries were
compromised in their duties to minimize the attrition of the war in order to maintain political
confidence. Likewise ever service member had an inherent right to self defense according to
DoD doctrine and International Law of Warfare, in a time when suicide bombs and car bombs
were on the rise. At this point of the war which by doctrine known as Phase 4 or Peace and
Stability operations—became Counter-Insurgency operations traditionally performed by Special
Operations Forces. This battle space became extremely dynamic during these early days of the
Iraqi War. CO’s needed soldiers that were versatile and equipped with versatile weapons capable
of dynamic changes as his battle space changed throughout the day and even in some cases
hours.
The political and international climate changes as much and as fast the Iraqi day. The ethical use
of weapons is on the end-user of that weapon, but design of weapons that could accurately and
consistently engage a foe at long ranges, conduct close quarters operations, crowd control and
non-lethal military operation within a matter of hours or minutes is the engineer’s job. Knowing
the International and Political impacts of Soldiers on the ground with the dynamic ethical and
legal challenges faced by the Soldier will assist the engineer to better develop a weapon platform
that is as versatile as the political climate and various environments it will be deployed to. A
moderate background on National and International politics, law and ethics is ideal for engineers
that have little or no military or tactical experience.
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WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A WEAPONS ENGINEER
Summary
I conclusion I see the most effective method and process of becoming an Weapons Engineer is to
attain a degree in either Electrical and Computer Engineering at any level and Aerospace
Engineer at any level with any combination of minors of the other 4 disciplines. Here in NMSU
the minimum amounts of these requirements are met, specifically networking. The program at
NMSU has already implemented networking for the Associate of Sciences in Engineering. The
declaration of any Major at the Bachelor’s level in any of the 4 engineering disciplines would
more than satisfy any requirement in weapons engineering especially with a minor in another
engineering field. Also, any physical science to include biology would greatly increase
opportunities’ in weapons development employment especially in biometrics and human
anatomy.
All war represents a failure of diplomacy.
The day the Gulf War ended.
(Benn, 1991)
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WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A WEAPONS ENGINEER
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