Contact Professor Alistair Saddington
- Tel: +44 (0) 1234 383009
- Email: a.j.saddington@cranfield.ac.uk
Areas of expertise
- Aeronautical Systems
- Airworthiness
- Autonomous Systems
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Flight Physics
- Gas Turbines & Propulsion
- Vehicle Aerodynamics
- Weapons Engineering
Background
General Background
Alistair Saddington is Professor of Defence Aeronautics at Â鶹´«Ã½AV, Shrivenham. His main research and teaching interests are in aerodynamics including computational and experimental methods, as well as engineering design and optimisation. He has over 25 years of experience in aerospace engineering across both industry and academia including research leadership, management, and postgraduate teaching and supervision.
Alistair received a BEng (Hons) degree in Aeromechanical Systems Engineering in 1990 from Cranfield Institute of Technology (now Â鶹´«Ã½AV). This was followed by an EngD, also at Cranfield, for research on short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft propulsion integration aerodynamics. In 1997 he joined Rolls-Royce Bristol where he worked on a range of compressor aerodynamic design and research topics. In 1999 he returned to academia and joined the Aeromechanical Systems Group at Â鶹´«Ã½AV, Shrivenham, as a lecturer. Alistair led the development of the University's part-time MSc programme in Military Aerospace and Airworthiness (MAA), which enrolled its first students in 2009. He held the inaugural position of Course Director from 2009 to 2017. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2010, Reader in 2020, and Professor and Head of Group in 2023. He is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and Member of the Special Interest Group on Weapons Science and Technology.
Teaching and student supervision
Prof. Saddington has supervised 40 MSc, 14 PhD and 3 MSc by Research students to successful completion. His postgraduate teaching has focused on aerodynamics and propulsion topics applied to piloted and autonomous aircraft, guided weapons, and related systems.
Research opportunities
Currently accepting applications from self-funded PhD students interested in engineering research related to defence aeronautics. Contact Prof. Alistair Saddington (a.j.saddington@cranfield.ac.uk).
Current activities
Head, Aeromechanical Systems Group
Prof. Saddington leads the Aeromechanical Systems Group which delivers teaching and research activities in aerospace engineering applied to piloted and autonomous aircraft, guided weapons, and related systems. The Group manages the Guided Weapon Systems and Military Aerospace and Airworthiness MSc courses. Research focusses on aerodynamics and flight dynamics, navigation and control. As well as simulation work, the Group manages the wind tunnel facilities at Shrivenham, which includes low-speed, transonic and supersonic capabilities.
Deputy Director, Cranfield Defence Aeronautics and Space (CDAS)
Prof Saddington is supporting the CDAS cross-university joint undertaking between SATM and CDS, led by Prof. David MacManus. The overall aim is to support UK security and prosperity through leadership, research and technology advancement in the field of defence aeronautics and space. This includes building links between academia and industry, developing cross-sector research initiatives, and Supporting growth and expertise through a dedicated CDAS fellowship scheme. (www.cranfield.ac.uk/cdas).
Clients
- BAE Systems PLC
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
- Leonardo S.p.A
- MBDA UK Ltd
- Ministry of Defence
- Marshall of Cambridge (Holdings) Limited
- Royal Air Force
