A method for simulating, for a target tracking system, a first behavior characteristic associated with one or more of a plurality of airborne objects, the method comprising:
- configuring each of a plurality of respective emulator devices, in an assembly, for individual attachment to a single unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), each respective emulator device comprising a first emulation component configured to provide, to a target detection system, a detectable feature that represents a first characteristic associated with a respective type of airborne object being emulated, the detectable feature comprising at least one of a scattering pattern of the airborne object and a signal return associated with one or more moving parts at or in the airborne object;
- coupling, to each of the plurality of respective emulator devices, a plurality of respective first connection tethers, each respective first connection tether configured to operably couple a respective one of the plurality of respective emulator devices to the single UAV at a desired respective spacing from the single UAV, each respective first connection tether configured to allow the single UAV to fly freely when the single UAV is connected to the assembly, each respective first connection tether formed such that at least a portion of each respective first connection tether comprises a first material that is configured so that it does not substantially reflect RF energy;
- coupling the plurality of respective emulation devices to the single UAV via the plurality of respective first connection tethers so that each of the plurality of respective emulator devices maintains at least the desired respective spacing from the single UAV when the single UAV is flying freely while towing the assembly, wherein, the assembly is configured so that, when it is coupled to the single UAV, the assembly does not constrain the single UAV from becoming airborne and flying while towing the assembly, wherein, during a flight of the single UAV when connected to the assembly, the single UAV is not physically connected to any entities other than the assembly and wherein the assembly is not physically connected to any entities other than the single UAV;
- configuring at least one of the plurality of respective first connection tethers to have a respective length that is dynamically adjustable, while the UAV is airborne and flying freely, so as to increase and decrease the desired respective spacing between the single UAV and a corresponding emulator device that is operably coupled to the single UAV via the at least one of the plurality of respective first connection tethers;
- configuring the single UAV for flying with the plurality of respective emulation devices attached to the single UAV via the plurality of respective first connection tethers;
- and
- flying the single UAV, with the plurality of respective emulation devices attached, within range of the target tracking system, wherein, during a flight of the single UAV that is connected to the assembly, each respective emulator device is configured to emulate the first characteristic to the target detection system, such that the assembly presents, to the target detection system, a plurality of first characteristics that together emulate a grouping comprising a plurality of airborne objects that are each flying individually, wherein the increase and decrease of the desired respective spacing between the single UAV and the corresponding emulator device is configured to simulate a change in one or more detectable features of the grouping of airborne objects.