Harry I don't think it would be classified as an Aeronautical | Aeronautical / Aerospace Engineering.

Harry I don't think it would be classified as an Aeronautical Engineering project, it might land along the lines of Medical Research of Infectious Diseases (Military Department).

However, if the research was for systems or regulations/laws that directly affect the aircraft, the aerodrome functions or civil aviation in general, the project would be considered an Aeronautical Engineering project.