Lecture Programme

Please find below details of all upcoming and previous lectures.

On-site lectures are typically held in the lecture theatre at MoD Boscombe Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JF, and begin at 17:15. Tea and coffee is usually served from 17:00.

Online lectures are held on Microsoft Teams Live and begin at 17:30.  Each virtual event is open to join from 17:15.

Details about each lecture, including a synopsis and biography of the speaker, will be sent to all members of the RAeS Boscombe Down Branch (via the Branch mailing list) prior to the event. The information will also be available on our website and in the case of online lectures, the link to join the event will be included with the synopsis and biography.

Attendance continues to be free.

For more information, or to volunteer to deliver a lecture, please contact the Lecture Secretary lectures@BoscombeDownRAeS.org

  • Tue
    21
    Oct
    2025
    Wed
    22
    Oct
    2025

    RAeS Flight Simulation Conference 2025

    All DayNo. 4 Hamilton Place, London

    Please visit the main RAeS event calendar for more details: https://www.aerosociety.com/events-calendar/raes-flight-simulation-conference-2025/.

  • Thu
    23
    Oct
    2025

    Munich Branch: What does a test pilot actually do?

    12:30TUM Campus Garching, MW 1801, Boltzmannstrasse 15, 85748 Garching bei Muenchen.

    Reflecting on a career as a military test pilot at the UK MoD test centre Boscombe Down, Laurie Hilditch will examine what makes a test pilot and illustrates the diverse flying and ground activities experienced during his career. This covers testing a foreign fighter at short notice to contributing to the design and development of the Eurofighter Typhoon, clearing new weapons onto the Tornado and even simulating chemical attacks during training exercises for the Army and Navy.

    Please visit the main RAeS site for further details: Munich Branch: What does a test pilot actually do?

  • Thu
    23
    Oct
    2025

    Hamburg Branch: Insights into future propulsion technologies.

    18:00 - 20:00 CESTHAW Hamburg

    The aviation sector has set ambitious targets to achieve net zero flight by 2050, there are several legislative, operational and technological pathways that will contribute towards this. Some of the greatest challenges are faced in developing solutions that will directly reduce the emissions of the aircraft.

    This presentation will provide some insights into what technologies are being explored for future propulsion systems based on new and alternative fuels such as battery, hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels. It will explain how the incumbent primes are adopting different approaches to decarbonisation, while emerging companies are seeking to carve out niches with their disruptive technologies and business models.

    No registration required - lecture in-person only.

    For further details, please visit the main RAeS site page: Hamburg Branch: Insights into future propulsion technologies.

  • Thu
    23
    Oct
    2025

    Celebrating National Mentoring Day 2025

    18:30 - 20:30 GMTLondon - conference

    Organised by the alta Mentoring Steering Group, this event marks National Mentoring Day by spotlighting the transformative power of mentorship in the aviation and aerospace sector.

  • Thu
    23
    Oct
    2025

    Bournemouth Branch Networking Reception and Lecture: Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) in the air domain - Past, Present and Future.

    18:30 - 21:30Share Lecture Theatre, Fusion Building, Bournemouth University

    Defence and security operations across history have been associated with the physical domains of Land, Sea and Air. Space has become the most recent, and highly-publicised.

    Operational success in these domains is increasingly dependent on the quality of information available to participants in operations. The electro-magnetic spectrum (EMS) is the main medium by which such information is collected and disseminated. The invention of radios in the late 19th century was followed by widespread adoption for communication. Within 50 years, the use of radar to detect vehicles and control weapons had made a significant impact on the success or failure of military operations. In more recent times, infra-red and laser systems have become key elements in a range of defence and security applications. Consequently, the EMS has become a domain in which participants in operations must maintain their own ability to use it, while - on occasions - denying or controlling their opponents' use of it.

    There are many ways in which participants can conduct EMS Operations (EMSO), one of which is known as Electromagnetic Warfare (EW). EW itself is often divided into 3 broad areas: Electromagnetic Surveillance, Electromagnetic Defence and Electromagnetic Attack. The development of the equipment involved in these activities over the period 1900 to the present day provides insights into the innovations made to support past air operations and indicates some of the issues facing the development of air capability for the future.

    Programme:
    18:30: Drinks Reception
    19:30: Lecture
    20:45: Q&A / Discussion
    21:30: Close

    Registration is required for this event. For further information and to register please click the link below:

    Bournemouth Branch Networking Reception and Lecture: Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) in the air domain - Past, Present and Future