Course Details
Weapon System Teardown – A View from Uncle Luke’s Garage | AOC Europe Pre-Convention Course
Course Dates: 18 May 2026 | 08:00 – 17:00
Course Location: Messukeskus Helsinki/Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre
Course Length: 8 hours total delivered across one course
Description: This session will deliver a dynamic end-to-end teardown of a real-world weapon system, loosely grounded in a historical scenario – from detection ranges through missile flyout. Attendees can expect an engaging, high-energy experience that blends serious EW insight with unexpected moments of fun. Seats are limited – don’t miss this opportunity to experience EW training like never before.
- Examination of a loosely historical scenario and identifying the problem space
- Discussing and stating robust system requirements, with respect to limitations that may be placed on the system
- Use collective ideas, basic estimation and logical deduction to design a system to solve the problem set
- Estimate system parametrics and discuss how the system operates
- Examine a variety of first-order equations to calculate system detection range with due regard to a stated detection probability and target RCS
- Derive the conditions required for collision and examine missile control variables for a successful engagement
- Observe a linearized model of the missile flyout and discuss guidance and control optimisation
Audience: This presentation is suitable for all. The presentation is designed as a journey from fundamental principles to high-quality estimation techniques, through the medium of asking the right questions and applying the right formulae. EW is not an exact science, but we can get close to expected system performance. We are going to have a lot of fun along the way, so bring a calculator, notebook and an open inquisitive mind! If you can follow the principles in this lesson, you can do it with any existing system. Parts of this presentation have been previously successfully delivered to:
- Ab Initio students and the morbidly curious
- Narrow specialists in Test and Evaluation
- Industry and Service personnel, including experienced operators
- Engineering graduates
- Non-mathematicians and mathematicians alike
Questions related to the pre-convention course and/or its content can be directed to Lauren Schoener-Gaynor, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Professional Development, at [email protected].
This course will be held before AOC Europe 2026 at the Messukeskus Helsinki/Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
Learning Objectives
- Outcome 1: Provide attendees with the required knowledge and skillsets to be versed in the art of estimation
- Outcome 2: Examine a real world system and demonstrate how the theory meets operational experience
- Outcome 3: Empower all EW personnel to be confident in asking the question… ‘why?’ From the beginner to the expert
Registration
Please Note: To attend a course, you must be registered for the convention. Course registration is available as part of the main event registration process – simply select the course when completing your event registration.
*Course Pricing
AOC Members – $1,100/€1.010,00
Non-Members – $1,250/€1.070,00
On-Site Pricing
AOC Members – $1,250/€1.070,00
Non-Members – $1,450/€1.250,00
Questions related to pre-con registration can be directed to Samantha Kim, Professional Development Coordinator, at [email protected].
*Course registration includes lunch and morning coffee/tea.
Not a member? Join now and save! AOC members receive discounts on all courses, free access to all webinars and much more.
AOC Professional Development On-Site Event Cancellation Policy
To cancel a pre-conference course or on-site event registration, submit a written request at least two (2) weeks before the scheduled event via email to [email protected]. Phone cancellations are not accepted. Cancellations received less than two (2) weeks prior to the event will not receive a refund.
- Approved, requested refunds will be issued minus a $100 administrative fee.
- If the registration fee includes materials (e.g., textbooks, printed content) that were pre-purchased or developed before the event, registrants will be invoiced for these items that will include the cost of the material (s), shipping, taxes, and any customs fees, if applicable. Once paid in full, materials will be shipped. Payment must be received within 14 days of the date when the invoice is sent. Invoices not paid within the 14-day window will be subject to additional late fees.
- No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within two weeks of the event or for no-shows.
- If a registered attendee is having trouble obtaining a visa, a written notification must be sent no less than 30 days prior to the course/on-site event to [email protected]. Refunds related to visa obtainment will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Instructor
Luke Cabot, a loadmaster by trade, he began his military career operating the Merlin helicopter, totaling 1,400 hours rotary flying. After graduating as an RAF Electronic Warfare Instructor, he hand-built a missile seeker emulator for educational purposes in his back garden, which caught the eyes of the authorities. Fortunately, his potential was recognised, and he was sent on the Aerosystems course run by the Royal Air Force, where he gained an MSc, commendation, and professional AOC recognition for his EW-based thesis. Post-MSc, Cabot completed a tour within the ASWC, receiving further commendation for his work within the EW sphere. In 2016, he joined Inzpire Ltd. as an operations specialist and technical lecturer, delivering notoriously difficult to grasp aerospace topics in an exciting and original manner. This has seen him present to a vast array of international audiences through the medium of theatre, props, fire, a whiteboard, and, occasionally, death metal screaming (music). In 2024, he was made a Fellow of the QinetiQ Group for his disruptive and industrious services to mainstream education.
