Modeling and Design Methodology for the Development of Electro-Optical and Laser Systems

Abstract

Modeling and simulation (M&S) plays a key role in the development of all systems, but especially so in the development and integration of electro-optical (EO) subsystems and lasers for precision strike applications or counter measures that require precise pointing control. Since the development of the first EO and laser systems, the directed energy community has pursued an evolving modeling and design (M&D) approach to support the development of these systems to provide the data and insights needed for the acquisition process. M&D is the lower-level detailed engineering models that are used to define and perfect the design (mechanical, optical, electrical, software), whereas M&S is typically the higher-level engagement models embedded in the mission and war game simulations. When the M&S is closely tied to the M&D, the M&S will accurately represent the system capabilities and limitations. This paper presents an M&D methodology that has matured over the past years and continues to be applied on current EO and laser programs. Similar to other development methodologies utilized by government agencies and industry, the M&D methodology is critical for airborne EO-laser systems, where the operating environment is especially hostile to achieving microradian pointing accuracy and jitter stability in the optical line of sight. Applying the M&D methodology early and often throughout the development process in conjunction with the model-based systems engineering approach, the M&S can fully integrate into the life cycle of EO-laser programs from the development of requirements, the verification of design, the prediction and verification of performance, and the defining of system capabilities and limitations, to the maintenance and upgrades to the system. This disciplined connectivity of M&S to the M&D will lead to cost-effective EO-laser systems.