A multimode realtime hardware-in-the-loop simulation

A realtime hardware-in-the-loop simulation facility for a multimode sensor is in use at the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command's Advanced Simulation Center. The purpose of this facility is to simulate battlefield scenarios and generate performance data vital to the development and testing of such a system. The simulation has proven to be a cost-effective alternative to live-fire field tests and a valuable tool for performing engineering studies. A plan for verifying and validating the simulation has been developed and is currently being executed. The paper describes the simulation facility's role in the development and testing of a multimode sensor. Also presented are the simulation theory of operation and the target and environmental modeling methodologies employed in the laboratory. Finally, the simulation verification and validation (V&V) plan is outlined. In particular, the major challenges encountered thus far in the V&V process and the solutions devised to overcome them are described.