Programs I want to build and design weapons, what to major in?

[gerry73191]

Have any of you seen Iron Man?

My dream is to be something of a Tony Stark. A weapons engineer. Forget all the super hero stuff, I would like to design weapons. Talk softly but carry a big stick and if you want to maintain peace, make sure your stick is bigger than anyone elses.

My question is...what should I major in?

 

[Crosson]

You could take a combination of computer science and digital arts and learn how to make rendered animations for Hollywood feature films.

Or you could take philosophy to see that war in general is only about making greedy people more wealthy.

 

[BioCore]

Um if I am sure, and I have never googled this but my best guess would be something like Mechanical engineering and Electrical Engineering.

 

[BioCore]

Or you could take philosophy to see that war in general is only about making greedy people more wealthy.

This is the best quote I have read! It is so true as well...

 

[gerry73191]

well see. I don't want war. I hate war.

But I believe the best way to prevent war is to have the best weapons.

 

[BioCore]

gerry, if you want my advice. Go into robotics, although it has potential use for war and fighting it still seems in a way more interesting. More challenging that is.

 

[BryanP]

I agree with ME and EE.

I also think having some sort of background in robotics would help in creativity.

 

[las3rjock]

Q: What's the difference between mechanical engineers and civil engineers?
A: Mechanical engineers build weapons; civil engineers build targets.

 

[aerospaceut10]

Electrical, mechanical, chemical, materials, aerospace engineers are all good for that.

What specifically you want to work on would dictate what path, I would say. Do you like to do programming for missile trajectory? Play around with satellite/GPS targeting and whatnot technologies? Actually manufacture the design or structure for said weapons? Come up with a new platform for weapons? Etc

 

[wildman]

Physics.

No question. The people who do the most interesting work at my site all studied physics.

Get a masters. Forget the PhD for weapons work. A BS in Physics and a masters in one of the engineering arts seems to be a good combination.

 

[Defennder]

A degree in mechatronics would suit you perfectly, with a minor in computer science if posible.

 

[trinitron]

"well see. I don't want war. I hate war.

But I believe the best way to prevent war is to have the best weapons. "

And how is it that the last twenty years haven't convinced you that this point of view is flawed?

 

[Astronuc]

well see. I don't want war. I hate war.

But I believe the best way to prevent war is to have the best weapons.

Ostensibly, the US has the best weapons. Unfortunately, the US has an administration which feels compelled to use those weapons against weaker nations.


As others have indicated, physics, and various engineering disciplines (EE, AeroE, MechE, Materials E) cover various aspects of weapons design.

 

[Vanadium 50]

I think history has shown us that it's not so simple to come up with a relationship between "peace" (itself a nebulous term, as the boundary between a "warlord" and a "crime boss" is not hard and fast) and weapons technology. There are also unintended consequences - precision munitions were developed to target combatants hiding under cover of non-combatants: a response has been for the combatants to move even closer to non-combatants.

That said, I think that getting one's ideas on the day-to-day life of any profession from comic books is probably inaccurate. The life of an engineer working on weapons could well be very different than imagined.

 

[shamrock5585]

Um if I am sure, and I have never googled this but my best guess would be something like Mechanical engineering and Electrical Engineering.

most modern weapons are built with a mechanical/physics background with electronic controls.

I am currently studying electromechanical engineering which is both mechanical and electrical engineering... We deal a lot with motors and controls, microprocessors, other computer chips, mechanics of materials, and heavy dynamics which all can be applied very deeply to weapons systems... on one of my projects we designed an autonomous helicopter...

very good for studying weapons... the only problem is that there are only a few schools in the country that offer electromechanical... i study at wentworth institute of technology in Boston. check it out.

ps. remember... with great knowledge, comes great responsibility!

 

[seycyrus]

Have any of you seen Iron Man?

My dream is to be something of a Tony Stark. A weapons engineer. Forget all the super hero stuff, I would like to design weapons. Talk softly but carry a big stick and if you want to maintain peace, make sure your stick is bigger than anyone elses.

My question is...what should I major in?

gerry, Take a look at the Army Research Lab, Naval Research Lab and Air Force Research Lab. They have web sites that will highlight their research programs, allowing you to see the backgrounds of the various participants.

What part of the country are you from?

 

[Fearless]

Ok first of all you must decide on a family of weapons you'd like to master.

I can give you some headsup on this one:

Boats and navyrelated tech: Naval architecture

Materials, propellants and NBC-protection: Chemical engineering/chemistry

Rocketry and artillery: Aeronautical engieering, mechanical engineering, Electrical engineering and mechatronics.

Combat vechicles (MBTs, APCs etc M-series of vehicles in the american armed forces): Elec eng, mech eng, mechatronics.

There are a couple of more familys of weapons, browse wikipedia at your discretion.

Simulation: Physics with computational science.

[Morals] My education is actually very highly suited for a multitude of weapon systems, sweden is also a highly productive export-country in the weaponsmarket, we have at times been selling weapons not only to the highest bidder but also to both sides in the conflict (india-pakistan is the only example I can get in a minutes notice). The perfect combination for weapon-systems is mainly chemistry with a lot of physics and a little less computational science. The one I got, many from my university work for the weapons industry. I won't. I actually want to be proud of my work and feel that it's productive for the betterment of mankind. Designing impenetrable materials for the arms industry isn't that. Besides I would totally lose it, If I designed a weaponsystem that was used against civilians. I would rage and probably cry a bit like I never cried before. I am not a big idealist and "crusader", but when it comes to weapon-systems that is not for personal protection, I draw the line. If you can live with killing innocent civilians in some godforsaken country in the developed world, so go ahead, I won't judge you, I actually helped you out. I just wanted to say how I feel about the weapons industry, since I am targeted by them because of my education, and have had to think through the consequences.[/morals]

 

[Andy Resnick]

I guess I am one of the few people here who actually has built bombs. I worked on the 'bunker-buster' and guidance system development for autonomous munitiouns.

If you want to get a job designing weapons, you will have no trouble finding one (other than the time and effort required to obtain a security clearance). The turnover is rather high. Pretty much any skill is useful- mechanical, electrical, chemical, optical, computational... machining, soldering, you name it. I've seen some amazing things.

 

[lisab]

I guess I am one of the few people here who actually has built bombs. I worked on the 'bunker-buster' and guidance system development for autonomous munitiouns.

If you want to get a job designing weapons, you will have no trouble finding one (other than the time and effort required to obtain a security clearance). The turnover is rather high. Pretty much any skill is useful- mechanical, electrical, chemical, optical, computational... machining, soldering, you name it. I've seen some amazing things.

Why is the turnover so high? Is it stressful work, or does it not pay well?

 

[gerry73191]

Thanks so much for your advice.

btw...Im from the Northeastern part of the US.

 

[gerry73191]

and I'm not sure exactly what kind of weapons

[rationale]
I previously wanted to go into politics because I really believed in upholding the foundations of US Democracy and liberty however, I am not too fond of the scrutiny politicians face running for office, while in office, and after they leave office.

So after seeing Iron Man I figured. I can protect my country without going into the army and I don't have to be under such tight scrutiny by the media.

Im not sure where I stand though on weapons I design being used on innocents. Although I am opposed to killing innocents, I don't know if its justified doing so in the name of stopping a greater evil(aka big terrorist or belligerent country or something)

 

[Kurdt]

Couldn't you contribute something more positive that the whole world could benefit from?

 

[dx]

So after seeing Iron Man I figured. I can protect my country without going into the army and I don't have to be under such tight scrutiny by the media.

Do you have any interest/aptitude in science or did you just decide you want to build weapons after watching that movie?

 

[The|M|onster]

You should probably note that Stan Lee created Iron Man in the 1960s as a way to explore the role of the United States weapon industry's role in the Cold War and not as a way to promote the Weapons industry. That being said, if you really want to be true to the comic, Tony Stark has a degree in electrical engineering. However, I strongly recommend against going into engineering unless you actually ENJOY it.

 

[Alfi]

I want to build and design weapons, what to major in?


abnormal psychology?


Except for rouge asteroids, I see no point in new weapons.

 

[gerry73191]

No, I actually love science especially physics. I pretty good for my school anyway in Mathematics. I was able to reach myself PreCalculus and go straight to Calculus. I know that's nothing special and thousands of people have done it before me, but its a point of pride because no one in my schools 50 year history has ever done so.

 

[gerry73191]

lol I really don't care much for the comic. It just hit me while watching the movie that weapons might be a good way to both protect my country and have some privacy. I really wanted to go into politics, but I hate the lack of privacy.

 

[gerry73191]

And yes I do enjoy engineering. I have been tinkering with stuff since I was like 6. I hacked my Xbox at the age of 11. Got my A+ comuter certification before freshman year of High school. Nothing special, but things I am proud of .

 

[seycyrus]

And yes I do enjoy engineering. I have been tinkering with stuff since I was like 6. I hacked my Xbox at the age of 11. Got my A+ comuter certification before freshman year of High school. Nothing special, but things I am proud of .

Gerry, You can do lot's of military type work without having to work in weapons. Sensors, armor, Arc reactors etc...

Call up the physics/engineering depts. that are around the labs I listed. MD,VA,PA,NJ. I'm certain they have programs that collaborate.

 

[Astronuc]

I think history has shown us that it's not so simple to come up with a relationship between "peace" (itself a nebulous term, as the boundary between a "warlord" and a "crime boss" is not hard and fast) and weapons technology. There are also unintended consequences - precision munitions were developed to target combatants hiding under cover of non-combatants: a response has been for the combatants to move even closer to non-combatants.

That said, I think that getting one's ideas on the day-to-day life of any profession from comic books is probably inaccurate. The life of an engineer working on weapons could well be very different than imagined.

There is a boom and bust cycle for military contractors, which depends obviously on the budget of the Defense department.

Note:
http://www.ktvu.com/news/16478058/detail.html

SAN FRANCISCO -- The nation's top nuclear weapons design lab has laid off hundreds of workers, raising concerns about a brain drain and stirring fears that some of these highly specialized scientists will sell their expertise to foreign governments, perhaps hostile ones.

Because of budget cuts and higher costs, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory laid off 440 employees May 22 and 23. Over the past 21/2 years, attrition and layoffs have reduced the work force of 8,000 by about 1,800 altogether.

I guess I am one of the few people here who actually has built bombs. I worked on the 'bunker-buster' and guidance system development for autonomous munitiouns.

Some bunker busters were manufactured at the Waterveliet Arsenal, where I visited recently. Really impressive stuff.

seycyrus makes a good point about the various research labs of the Army, Navy and Air Force. They do a lot of great research, besides weapons.

An alternative to weapons could be new energy forms, transportation, . . . . which have both military/civilian applications.

 

[proton]

I would like to design weapons. Talk softly but carry a big stick and if you want to maintain peace, make sure your stick is bigger than anyone elses.

i too find the idea of killing peopel to be amusing. just kidding

 

[gerry73191]

I DONT WANT/LIKE KILLING PEOPLE

I believe the more powerful weapons their are in the hands of relatively just countries, the more peace there is.


If two countries have nukes do you think either would really want to start a fight that will end in Mutually Assured Destruction?
NO!

But If one country has a machine gun and the other has ICBMs? You bet your ass someday that country with a machine gun is going to wish they had ICBMs

 

[The|M|onster]

I think you are receiving this kind of feedback because your original post made it sound as if your desire to become a weapons engineer is purely motivated by a subjective moral standpoint, rather than by actual intellectual curiosity towards the subject. So far, you have not actually stated what type of problems you are interested in working on. You've only made statements about fulfilling your sense of liberty and justice.

I personally have no problem with you wanting to become a weapons engineer. As long as war exists, I'd rather have intelligent people designing missiles that reduce the amount of civilian casualties instead of individuals who just want to blow stuff up. However, I'd also prefer someone who is actually inspired to work because of the challenge of creating effective weapons systems, rather than someone who is inspired by a dogmatic view of how to bring about world peace.

 

[gerry73191]

Im most inclined to rockets, but I am reluctant to specialize.

I want to have a broad understanding of weapons design in general. But then again, I don't want to build just bombs for the next 40 years.

Sure I'd like to design missiles, but I'd also like to work on making better armor or satellite technlogy.

In a way I really admire rennaisance(sp?) scientists because they didnt specialize.

Da Vinci made paitings, but worked for the military. Tried to make a flying machine, but also shoes to help him walk on water.

Im rather conflicted, but I do know that I want to spend the next 40 years protecting and improving my country.

 

[BioCore]

Maybe Robotics or Nanotechnology might also interest you with the views you have given us. Primarily because robots could be used to do human tasks (EXCEPT FOR KILLING - I'd hate to see an I Robot epidemic). Nanotechnology could be used to build better armor to protect soldiers and any other items.

 

[lisab]

Weapons don't have to kill. Here's a story from "60 Minutes" about a "ray gun" that isn't lethal:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/29/60minutes/main3891865.shtml

 

[gerry73191]

Thank you for all your input

 

[The|M|onster]

Im most inclined to rockets, but I am reluctant to specialize.

I want to have a broad understanding of weapons design in general.

Nowadays it is very hard NOT to specialize. There is little room for a Jack of all Trades in any industry. Even if you were to go into a field involving rockets, you wouldn't be designing the entire rocket. You'd more likely be doing something like working on control systems or materials design. I recommend you take the core engineering courses when you get into college, and then pursue the area that interests you the most.

 

[The|M|onster]

Weapons don't have to kill. Here's a story from "60 Minutes" about a "ray gun" that isn't lethal:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/29/60minutes/main3891865.shtml

Nice article! It reminds me of Archimedes at the battle of Syracuse.

 

[mgiddy911]

double major in peace-studies and theology

 

[Pythagorean]

I've always had an interest in lasers and acoustical weapon ideas, myself. I'd totally make/design them too, but not for the current administration.

I think powerful non-lethal weapons will be the ultimate in diplomacy and warfare, though.

I heard of a new taser that just shoots a beam of ultraviolet light, which ionizes the air, then the current can just flow to the perp, no wires! That's neat!

 

[Andy Resnick]

Why is the turnover so high? Is it stressful work, or does it not pay well?

The pay is fine. The intellectual challenges are also rewarding. It's stressful work, definitely.

 

[Andy Resnick]

Nice article! It reminds me of Archimedes at the battle of Syracuse.

It's amusing, and more than a little frustrating, that these myths are blindly carried along. There was a thread about this.

 

[shamrock5585]

I heard of a new taser that just shoots a beam of ultraviolet light, which ionizes the air, then the current can just flow to the perp, no wires! That's neat!

yes I've heard of this weapon... its an actual lightning gun haha... it turns the air into plasma in a sense which can carry a current... so all the gun has to do is apply a high voltage and bam you got lightning blasting some poor dude off his feet. I've heard its very accurate and has a pretty long range. Genius idea... simple but yet so complex.

also about specializing in a certain area of study... you will definately have to chose at some point... not many people design rockets and then just go to designing armor or other weapons... It takes a lot of hardcore mathematics and physics to understand/design rockets... you don't do all that studying and years of experience to just switch and start on something new.

 

[seycyrus]

I've always had an interest in lasers and acoustical weapon ideas, myself. I'd totally make/design them too, but not for the current administration.

I think powerful non-lethal weapons will be the ultimate in diplomacy and warfare, though.

I heard of a new taser that just shoots a beam of ultraviolet light, which ionizes the air, then the current can just flow to the perp, no wires! That's neat!

The US has established several non-lethal DE (Directed Energy) efforts, the major areas of actualization have been in area denial technologies.

The LIPSE system that I believe you are referring to, has not seen any actual pragmatic use.

 

[Mathemaniac]

Any kind of engineering, or computer science, really. I imagine weapons design utilizes every kind of engineering somewhere and lots of programming. Pick something out of those fields you find interesting, be it EE, ME, ChemE, CompE, or programming.

You probably didn't come here for an argument on the morals of weapons design, but I must ask, of all the ways you can contribute to the country, you choose weapons design? The reality is that there are things our country, no, the entirety of humanity, needs way more than weapons, such as alternative clean energy. And in the end, if having the biggest stick, as it were, is necessary for survival, humanity will inevitably be doomed to a very tragic ending.

 

[Andy Resnick]

If you don't want to develop new and safer weapons, then don't. Tut-tutting other people's beliefs isn't helpful.

 

[mathwonk]

you have a comic book attitude, not a real peace seeking one. this is sad. if you want peace work for justice, not weaponry.

 

[mathcompsci]

Hi Gerry,

I say mechanical or electrical engineering. Physics if you like the theory more than the application. Chemical engineering sounds like a sure fire bet too.

There's more to building weapons than the engineering. You could also study other things.

I've never seen Iron Man. Actually, 12 years ago I stopped watching TV, and I know now way more about what is going on in the world.

The Hollywood weapons you see are good to get attention. But War in of itself is actually fought on many levels that the common idiot wouldn't understand.

I refer you to Clausewitz, On War. A simple google of that will give you a free copy since it is so old.

Modern weaponry is moving into non-lethal munitions and more effective mind-wars. Yes. The gun for your mind. It only makes sense economically not to waste billions on munitions and design if you could spend way less to RECRUIT the enemy to your cause.

I'm x-military from these fiascos currently going on. So is my little brother who was spec ops for this crap. My father is x-Nam, and my grandfather (same side) is x-military for WW2. It's safe to say I come from a military family. Those of us still alive totally disagree with this war.

But you're free to choose what you like to do, as I am free to say what I please.

I can honestly understand the desire to defend. It's an alpha male thing actually. But as all alpha males know, they don't like other alpha males in their territory.

Most people I've met though in life are faux-alphas. It is simple to test them actually. I'll let life teach you that for yourself.

May I give some advice?

Ok so you read on here it is.

Weapons are for destruction. Period. Anything else you've heard is Bullsh.. and only a fool would think that they won't be used. ALL weapons are USED. It's why they were made.

Diplomacy is the only means to defend without physical destruction. And maybe this is what you'd like to do.

Do I think all wars are over? No. Could they be physically speaking yes, but the powers that be don't want that. It doesn't make sense economically to stop having wars. Personally, I hate them.

So. I have an idea or two for you.

First off. The blunt truth.

Once you a kill a man (even "legally" in war) life will never be the same.

Even if you were just the man loading the shell and not pushing fire. Even if you are the engineer watching the news realizing they finally deployed your "toy". Life will never be the same.

So I think you should prepare yourself for that responsibility. A similar feeling but way less potent is when you actually beat another man up badly. When you look down and see that face of "oh man I didn't mean for this" and you both realize at the same time that it is going to take 6 months to recover from this "tiff". Then you will have a smidgen of the feeling of taking a life.

Best of luck to you on your weaponry endeavors. Pray to your fair tales that you don't kill an innocent.

PS. As a kid I use to cut up my fathers brooms and stuff and make Num-chucks. Try it. Then ask you kid brother to do the same so you can have Num-chuck wars... By the way, that sh#t hurt, but it was fun. We use to have rock wars too at the stone cory until my little brother got stiches in the head... That was fun too until that happened. We even had sling shot wars too with nickles, and damn they would leave a mark. And I can't even count how many fist fights we got in, countless. Ironically, they came after the fun stuff a lot, lol.

 

[mathwonk]

i apologize for my judgmental remarks. the point is that there is no hard division between good guys and bad guys, and civilization is not preserved by making sure only "good guys", i.,e. people who share your beliefs or homeland, have the best weapons.

in fact it is the possession of weapons that makes someone potentially a bad guy, i.e. able to wreak harm on others. give anyone the most weapons and he becomes an instant threat to peace. present day examples are easy to think of.

the real need is not for more and better weapons, but for more and better safeguards against the misuse of weapons. if you are really smart, work on that one.