ZAP Missile Launch Envelope

ZAP relies on faster-than-real-time 5-DOF embedded weapon simulations to determine trajectory parameters. The ZAP trajectory simulations closely match the manufacturer’s engineering 6-DOF reference simulations, resulting in highly accurate display information over the entire flight envelope. ZAP provides reliable shoot cue information and allows a meaningful allowable steering error to be displayed. After launch, ZAP computes the current time to impact using actual tracked target maneuvers while continually assessing the shot quality to provide an indication of predicted endgame success.
From the initial F-15 implementation, ZAP has expanded to the F/A-18, F-16, F-35, F-22A, AV-8B, and various FMS platforms. FAAC also provides the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter the ZAP equivalent software package known as the Airborne Missile Trajectory Event Modeler (AMTEM). With the expansion to the various platforms, ZAP is often referred to as the Common Weapon Employment Zone (Common WEZ) software. Common WEZ goals include reduced costs to the taxpayer, common weapon employment cues across platforms, and most importantly providing the warfighter with the best possible information to take into combat.