Stephen Champion

Stephen Champion is a Senior Lecturer at Cranfield University's Centre for Energetics Technology within the School of Defence and Security. He leads the Lethality and Survivability Group and has been with the institution since 1997, progressing from Research Assistant to his current role. His academic journey began with research on stab-resistant body armour and expanded to terminal ballistics impacts.

His research focuses on understanding how engineering design can enhance infantry capability, with expertise in:

• Armour systems evaluation
• Weapons engineering principles
• Explosives and munitions testing
• Ballistic impact analysis
• Defense technology innovation

His publications primarily investigate wound ballistics, forensic pathology, and protective materials science, with recent work examining tissue simulation models and projectile impact physics. Experimental approaches combine biomechanical analysis with computational modeling to advance protective technologies.

Champion teaches across multiple programs including Vehicle and Weapon Engineering MSc, Explosives Ordnance Engineering MSc, and Forensic MSc programs. He developed specialized modules in Light Weapon Design and Ordnance Design.

He currently supervises postgraduate research students and has established partnerships with defense sector organizations including MoD DE&S Project Teams, Dstl, and Qinetiq. His leadership of the Lethality and Survivability Group facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration on defense technology innovation.