Radar performance validation with simulation

This paper explains how simulation can contribute to the airborne radars qualification. Thales Airborne Systems has developed a wide range of the simulation tools over the last few years and a new method called “Smart Qualification” is now deployed within the company. This method and these tools have demonstrated their efficiency. The maturity of the radar system to be qualified is dramatically increased prior to the first in-flight trials. This paper is focused on the main tool, which is called “SEN” (French acronym for “Simulateur d'Echos Numérique”, Digital Echo Simulator).