Simulation validation in support of the Patriot flight test program

It is pointed out that performance simulations are a vital factor in the design and the evaluation of a large-scale weapon system throughout the life cycle of the program. Attention is given to the intimate relationship of the four primary Patriot performance simulations to the design and development history of the U.S. Army Patriot Air Defense Missile System. The present investigation is concerned with the validation process adopted for the performance simulations. The Patriot H1 guidance simulation has been operational since 1969. H1 is a digital/analog hybrid structure with six-degree-of-freedom motion capability, which includes statistical models of over 100 error sources.