The e.sigma Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Simulation Systems support virtual prototyping, evaluation and testing of optical sensor systems as well as fire control systems for tanks and air defense systems, including missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and drone swarms. The systems enable complex experiments for complete weapon systems as well as individual components – from concept through the design phase to final implementation and validation. Furthermore, the performance and behavior of existing weapon systems can be evaluated by testing and analyzing combat efficiency in ground and airborne engagements.

Operational Advantages

• Evaluation of the performance of weapon systems and optronic sensors
  • Detection and tracking of optronic system behavior
  • System behavior with multiple targets
  • Dynamics and precision of target assignment
  • System behavior under optronic countermeasures.
• Combat profile test runs for optimization of weapon systems and optronic sensors
• Evaluation of the performance of weapon systems and optronic sensors
• Analysis of jamming and deception systems
• Technological support during the development phase of weapon systems by means of virtual prototyping
• Analysis of highly sensitive security systems
• Execution of experiments that are not feasible in real-world environments
• Reproducibility of tests and comparative analysis to determine the statistical behavior of components and systems
• No environmental impact

Technical Features

• Simulation dome with a diameter of about 45 m and a precise spherical self-supporting steel superstructure
• Movable platforms with high payload capacity (>70 tons) and +/- 15-degree tilt angle for testing operational limits of weapon systems
• Spherical projection surface with an optical substructure for extremely high gain and reflection in the UV, visible and IR spectrum
• High-resolution multichannel visualization system with >220° x 120° field of view
• Photorealistic visual and IR databases of typical environmental scenes, e.g. desert, mountains, coastlines, weather effects as well as day and seasonal conditions
• High-precision visual and true multispectral infrared target presentation with dynamic nonlinear image correction
• Highly dynamic 2- and 3-axis motion systems for precise target projection and target masking for seeker systems under test
• Exactly reproducible test conditions
• Fast, high-precision data acquisition, data evaluation and data analysis system (1000 Hz)