Virtual Signature Testing Capabilities for Ground Targets

Abstract : The Army has an ambitious and aggressive schedule laid out to develop the Future Combat Systems (FCS). Due to extensive testing requirements in all areas, an effort has been made in the last several years to push the capabilities and validation of signature modeling tools that aid in both the design and performance assessment processes. Existing thermal simulations have been leveraged, as have existing synthetic scene generation capabilities, to provide data for testing out signature concepts. In addition, these tools are being looked at and validated for use as a supplement testing capability for contract acceptance tests between the lead system integrator for FCS and the vehicle developer/integrators. This paper will show the tools currently in place and explain the validation tests performed in 2004 and 2005.