Abstract: A method to simulate target detection and recognition is provided. The method includes receiving ground truth attributes defining one or more respective simulated physical objects and receiving collection attributes defining one or more collections. Each collection is a simulation of automated target recognition applied to simulated sensor output associated with simulated sensing of the one or more simulated physical objects. The method further includes simulating detection of the one or more simulated physical objects and recognition based on the ground truth attributes and the collection attributes, generating detection data about at least one detected object based on the simulated target detection, and outputting the detection data.