The ABI Instrument Performance Simulation (AIPS) is a leap forward in both the design and use of simulation in the development of a remote sensing system. It includes many features that separately are incremental improvements but when taken together are a significant enhancement of simulation capabilities. The new capabilities enable new uses during the ABI development process that will have significant cost and schedule benefits. AIPS is also specifically designed for extensibility, significantly reducing the effort required to modify the simulation for application to other remote sensing systems.