The motion simulation facility consists of several interconnected segments, which when utilised together, provides the hardware-in-the-loop capability for optronic sensor systems research at the CSIR. Research focuses on new and novel electro-optic sensors and the modelling, simulation, engineering, testing, evaluation and development of advanced electro-optical sensor systems for day, night and multispectral surveillance. Researchers also evaluate and design countermeasure and electronic warfare techniques in the visual and infrared wavelengths.

The hardware-in-the-loop simulation capability reduces the time and cost of the evaluation, testing and development of a device under development, as evaluations are done in a controlled, high-fidelity laboratory environment that allows for repeatability and allows for a significant reduction in risk when compared to expensive flight trails. A simulation environment also allows for user-defined test scenarios.

The facility offers several capabilities, including:

• Directed infrared countermeasure effectiveness evaluation
• Characterisation of a missile seeker
• Missile flight analysis
• Target tracking evaluation
• Bi-directional reflection distribution function measurements
• Inertial navigation unit evaluation
• Missile approach warning system evaluation
• Infrared countermeasure effectiveness evaluation