Simulation technology for free flight system performance and survivability analysis

Before new automated technologies can be incorporated into the air-traffic-management system, they need to be analyzed and tested extensively. This analysis and testing is required not only to demonstrate functionality, but also to determine overall system performance and dependability. The risks and costs of operational testing preclude its routine use, especially to test system survivability where intentional serious failures will be forced to occur to ensure that they are handled properly. Fortunately, simulation provides a practical alternative. This paper describes a simulation system designed to assess the performance and survivability of various automated technologies in terminal area flight. It also presents some preliminary results of the system's use.