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Professor David Stupples

Professor of Electronic & Radio Engineering

School of Science & Technology Department of Engineering

Contact details

About

Overview

Professional Profile

Professor David Stupples is an experienced space-systems researcher, practitioner and independent technical adviser specialising in space observation and surveillance, Space Domain Awareness (SDA), space mission analysis and space-based signals intelligence (SIGINT). His work spans the design, integration and operational assessment of radar, radio-frequency, electronic-intelligence and optical sensing within complex space and terrestrial surveillance architectures. This expertise is founded on extensive experience of Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) systems across defence, government, intelligence, aerospace, industry and research environments.

His specialist interests include the detection, characterisation and tracking of space objects; sensor coverage, revisit, custody and mission-performance analysis; space-based surveillance and SIGINT; mathematical modelling and simulation; and the fusion of incomplete or conflicting evidence for operational decision-making. He has advised UK and overseas governments and industry on space and surveillance capability, systems performance, technology risk and operational resilience. During his time at PA Consulting, he undertook three expert-witness assignments involving independent technical analysis of complex engineering and computing matters. He is also a leading adviser to government on electronic-warfare threats facing the UK.

Core Areas of Expertise

·    Space Domain Awareness (SDA), space observation, surveillance, tracking and custody analysis

·    Space mission analysis; sensor coverage, geometry, revisit, latency and performance modelling

·    Space-based SIGINT, electronic intelligence, radar and radio-frequency surveillance systems

·    C4I and intelligence architectures; multi-sensor integration, data fusion and operational analysis

·    Independent technical review, technology-risk assessment and expert-witness work

Education and Professional Qualifications

BSc (Hons), Electronic and Radio Engineering (RAF)  |  MSc, Computing Science with Radar Applications, University of Aston in Birmingham  |  MSc, Space Engineering, GTI  |  PhD, Systems Engineering, City University London  |  Chartered Engineer

Career History

Royal Air Force — Engineering Officer (Squadron Leader)  |  1964–1978

Appointments encompassed systems design and development for air-defence radar; integrated command-and-control and C4I systems for airspace management; and synthetic-aperture radar, electronic-warfare and reconnaissance systems supporting Nimrod R, Jaguar, Phantom and Tornado aircraft.

Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (RSRE) — Principal Scientific Officer  |  1975–1982

Conducted systems research into future radar and supporting command, control and communications networks. Developed requirement specifications for IUKADGE; undertook early concept work for new RAF three-dimensional radars later known as Type 91 and Type 92; and reviewed performance weaknesses in Linesman/Mediator.

NATO Research Centre  |  1982–1984

Developed the interface between NATO intelligence systems and space-based intelligence-collection systems, enabling intelligence gathered by space-based assets to be received, processed and incorporated into NATO operational intelligence and command-and-control systems.

Hughes Aircraft Corporation — Research and Development  |  1984–1990

Head of Systems Engineering, leading the team responsible for concept design of NATO's Air Command and Control System (ACCS), intended to replace NADGE. Additional work included space-based surveillance research and synthetic-aperture-radar signal processing for surveillance satellites, linking satellite sensing, mission requirements, data processing and operational command-and-control systems.

PA Consulting — Senior Partner  |  1990–2003

Responsible for consultancy concerning large and complex engineering, computing, space, surveillance and C4I systems. Undertook three expert-witness assignments, providing independent technical analysis and opinion on complex engineering and computing matters. Selected assignments included:

·    Review and audit of surveillance issues affecting the AEW Nimrod programme, contributing to its cancellation and the subsequent procurement of Boeing AWACS.

·    For the Thai Government, systems definition and design of an integrated satellite-communications system supporting government and military communications and surveillance.

·    For the Malaysian Government, advice to the Prime Minister's Office on investment risk in expanding the national aerospace industry; the work extended to air-defence processing centres supporting a new radar-sensor network.

·    For the MOD Procurement Executive, advice on acquisition options for the SSN20 class of nuclear submarines, including research and development needs for new underwater sensors; subsequent work informed design requirements for the Astute class.

·    For the MOD Procurement Executive, systems and mission studies into future space systems and applications, including their surveillance, communications, sensor and operational roles, together with studies of future submarine sensors.

·    For the UK Ministry of Defence (AWRE), design and development work for new radar and missile systems for a new generation of warships. This included studying the development of ship-based satellite-communications systems designed to avoid interference with shipboard radar.

·    For Eurocontrol, systems research into the architecture and performance required of Europe's future air-traffic-management system.

·    For UK Government, leadership of systems design for new SIGINT and intelligence systems within one of the world's largest secure computing and communications environments.

City University London / City St George's, University of London  |  2003–present

Professor of Electronic and Radio Systems and Royal Academy of Engineering Professor of Integrated Systems Design. Director of Space Surveillance Systems, with undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in mathematics, engineering management and systems engineering. Research applies systems analysis, mathematical modelling and simulation to Space Domain Awareness, space observation and surveillance, space mission analysis, radar and passive RF sensing, space-based SIGINT concepts, multi-sensor fusion, and the detection and tracking of hypersonic glide and cruise missiles.

Supervised 12 PhD students, examined a further 14 PhD candidates and examined more than 100 MSc dissertations. Former external examiner for UCL's MSc in Systems Engineering.

Qualifications

  • PhD Systems Engineering, City, University of London, United Kingdom, 1996
  • MSc Computer Science & Signal Processing, Aston University, United Kingdom, 1979
  • BSc Electrical & Electronic Engineering, RAF, United Kingdom, 1972
  • MSc in Space Science and Engineering, GTRI & OU, United Kingdom

Employment

  • Course Director for MSc in Space Systems, City, University of London, United Kingdom, 2021 - present
  • Scientific Advisor, UK Government, United Kingdom, 2012 - present
  • Professor of Electronic & Radio Engineering, City, University of London, United Kingdom, 2004 - present
  • Senior Partner, PA Consulting Group, United Kingdom, 1986 - 2004
  • Principal Systems Engineer, Hughes Aircraft Corporation US, United States, 1982 - 1986
  • Principal Research Scientist, Royal Signals Radar Establishment, United Kingdom, 1977 - 1982
  • Engineering Officer Squadron Leader, Royal Air Force, United Kingdom, 1972 - 1977

Memberships of committees

  • Member, Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) UK Government, 2011 - present
  • Member, Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) Integration Authority Board, 2004 - present
  • Member, Defence Scientific Advisory Committee (DSAC), 2003 - present

Memberships of professional organisations

  • Fellow, Chartered Engineer, Royal Aeronautical Society, 2016 - present
  • Fellow, Chartered Engineer, Institute of Measurement & Control, 2004 - present
  • Fellow, Chartered Engineer, Institute of Electrical Engineers, 2001 - present
  • Fellow, Chartered Engineer, Institute of Electronic and Radio Engineers, 1981 - present

Research

Research interests

- Design of large-scale networked systems
- Design of multi-sensor surveillance systems
- Synthetic aperture radar
- Modelling of cyber terrorism and cyber warfare

Publications

Publications by category

Conference papers and proceedings (10)

  • Stupples, D. Collecting Intelligence from Modern Radar Systems. .
  • Stupples, D. Collecting Intelligence from Modern Radar Systems. .
  • Dudorov, D., Stupples, D. and Newby, M. Probability analysis of cyber attack paths against business and commercial enterprise systems. .doi:10.1109/EISIC.2013.13
  • Stupples, D. (2013). Probability Analysis of Cyber Attack Paths against Business and Commercial Enterprise Systems. EISIC/IEEE 2013 European Intelligence and Security Informatics Conference 12-14 August, Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Stupples, D. WorldCIS-2013: Keynote speaker 2. .
  • Stupples, D. ICITST-2013: Keynote speaker 2: Security challenge of TOR and the deep web. .
  • Spurgin, A.J. and Stupples, D.W. Nuclear industry organizations: Shaped by accidents. .
  • Karcanias, N. and Stupples, D.W. Integration of operations in process systems: A systems and control perspective. .
  • Thomas, P.J., Alghaffar, M. and Stupples, D. (2005). The extent of consensus on safety spend across different industries. invited paper, Westminster Energy Forum, Canadian High Commission 21 April-, London.
  • Thomas, P.J., Alghaffar, M. and Stupples, D. (2005). The implied value of human life across different industries. Universities’ Nuclear Technology Forum 6-8 April, Imperial College.

Journal articles (22)

  • Danilova, N. and Stupples, D. (2013). Semantic Approach to Web-Based Discovery of Unknowns to Enhance Intelligence Gathering. International Journal of Information Retrieval Research, 3(1), pp. 27-42. doi:10.4018/ijirr.2013010102

    [publisher’s website]

  • Karcanias, A., Stupples, D. and Halikias, G. (2012). Impact of stochastic renewables on CO2 levels and targets. Carbon Management, 3(4), pp. 383-391. doi:10.4155/cmt.12.33

    [publisher’s website]

  • Stupples, D. and Danilova, N. (2012). Application of Natural Language Processing and Evidential Analysis to Web-Based Intelligence Information Acquisition. IEEE Informatics Conference

    [publisher’s website]

  • Spurgin, A.J. and Stupples, D. (2012). Impact of accidents on organizational aspects of nuclear utilities. International Journal of Engineering Management and Economics, 2(4), pp. 132-144

    [publisher’s website]

  • Spurgin, A.J. and Stupples, D. (2011). Impact of viable system model (VSM) type of organizational concept on safety regulation of the nuclear industry. International Topical Meeting on Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Analysis 2011 Psa 2011, 3, pp. 2163-2186
  • Stupples, D., Ghamdi, S.H. and Panagiotakopoulos, P.D. (2010). The Air Traffic Control System as a Viable System: The Case of the Saudi System. JOURNAL OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, 52(1), pp. 24-36
  • Stupples, D., Al-Ghamdi, S.H. and Gill, A. (2009). Cybernetics view of air traffic control (ATC) system complexity. JOURNAL OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, 51(1), pp. 12-19
  • King, C.S.O., Stupples, D.W. and Thomas, P.J. (2008). Learning to exploit tolerances: An undergraduate laboratory exercise in system design of an instrument. International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Education, 45(4), pp. 281-298. doi:10.7227/IJEEE.45.4.2

    [publisher’s website]

  • Stupples, D., King, C.S.O. and Thomas, P.J. (2008). Learning to exploit tolerances: an undergraduate laboratory exercise in system design of an instrument. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION, 45(4), pp. 281-298
  • Thomas, P.J. and Stupples, D. (2007). J-value: a new scale for judging health and safety spend in the nuclear and other industries. Nuclear Future, 3(3)
  • Thomas, P.J., Stupples, D.W. and Jones, R.D. (2007). Analytical techniques for faster calculation of the life extension achieved by eliminating a prolonged radiation exposure. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 85(3 B), pp. 230-240. doi:10.1205/psep06044

    [publisher’s website]

  • Jones, R.D., Thomas, P.J. and Stupples, D.W. (2007). Numerical techniques for speeding up the calculation of the life extension brought about by removing a prolonged radiation exposure. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 85(4 B), pp. 269-276. doi:10.1205/psep06047

    [publisher’s website]

  • Jones, R.D., Thomas, P.J. and Stupples, D.W. (2007). Numerical Techniques for Speeding up the Calculation of the Life Extension Brought about by Removing a Prolonged Radiation Exposure. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 85(6), pp. 599-599. doi:10.1205/psep.er.0706

    [publisher’s website]

  • Thomas, P.J. and Stupples, D. (2006). J-value: a universal scale for health and safety spending. Special Feature on Systems and Risk, Measurement + Control, 39/9, pp. 273-276

    [publisher’s website]

  • Thomas, P.J., Stupples, D. and Pearce, O. (2006). Weighing the economic risk of new nuclear build using real options. Special Feature on Systems and Risk, Measurement + Control, 39/9, pp. 282-285

    [publisher’s website]

  • Thomas, P.J. and Stupples, D. (2006). J-value: a universal scale for health and safety spending. Special Feature on Systems and Risk, Measurement + Control, 39/9, pp. 273-276
  • Thomas, P.J., Stupples, D.W. and Alghaffar, M.A. (2006). The extent of regulatory consensus on health and safety expenditure part 2: Applying the J-value technique to case studies across industries. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 84(5 B), pp. 337-343. doi:10.1205/psep05006

    [publisher’s website]

  • Thomas, P.J., Stupples, D.W. and Alghaffar, M.A. (2006). The life extension achieved by eliminating a prolonged radiation exposure. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 84(5 B), pp. 344-354. doi:10.1205/psep05007

    [publisher’s website]

  • Thomas, P.J., Stupples, D.W. and Alghaffar, M.A. (2006). The extent of regulatory consensus on health and safety expenditure part 1: Development of the J-value technique and evaluation of regulators' recommendations. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 84(5 B), pp. 329-336. doi:10.1205/psep05005

    [publisher’s website]

  • Stupples, D.W. (2002). Using System Dynamics Modelling to Understand and Address the Systemic Issues on Complex Engineering Projects. Measurement and Control, 35(5), pp. 132-136. doi:10.1177/002029400203500501

    [publisher’s website]

  • Mawby, D. and Stupples, D. (2002). Systems thinking for managing projects. IEEE International Engineering Management Conference, 1, pp. 344-349
  • International Journal of Information Retrieval Research. . doi:10.4018/ijirr

    [publisher’s website]

Report

  • Stupples, D. Letter explaining their significance will be issued by the Head of Technical Operations. GCHQ Academic Papers Relating to Signals Intelligence.