Role of hardware-in-the-loop simulation in fly-by-light system development

It is proposed that hardware-in-the-loop simulation is an effective and relatively inexpensive way to build the experience that will be necessary for acceptance of photonics implementation for future vehicle management systems. This approach has application beyond the normal role of integration and V&V (verification and validation) testing. It can be used as an operational mockup to evaluate manufacturing and installation procedures, to evaluate supportability issues, to demonstrate the advantages of functional and physical integration, and to evaluate the crew interface in normal and abnormal situations. When at a high utilization rate in a way that duplicates mission sequences and environmental stresses, the facility can begin to provide essential durability data