From Pilot to Mission Commander Preparing Aviators to Dominate Contested Battlespaces Through Safe, Effective, and AI-Enabled Next-Gen Training
Existing conflicts are fundamentally reshaping the role of the pilot, highlighting the need for training to adapt at the same pace as frontline operations, rather than treating training as an afterthought. Tomorrow’s aviators will increasingly act as mission commanders, managing complex networks of crewed and uncrewed systems, integrated artificial intelligence and making critical decisions in contested operating environments. In this current context, operating effectively in contested battlespaces will become just as important as traditional flying skills.
Pilot shortages, resource constraints, and increasing operational demand are placing unprecedented pressure on training regimes. Traditional approaches focused on progressing as many pilots through the pipeline are no longer sufficient. Air forces must now consider how to generate, sustain and measure mission-ready aircrew across air force, army aviation and naval aviation, under contested conditions, with fewer instructors, fewer aircraft hours, more synthetic training, autonomy, and multinational dependency. Degraded communications, disrupted situational awareness, electronic warfare and increased prevalence of autonomy in a drone-saturated battlefield are driving new training requirements to reflect combat realities.
The Military Flight Training Conference returns to unite our 25+ year community of senior air force leaders, training commands and industry to explore the evolving role of the military aviator, as AI, autonomy and crewed-uncrewed teaming become integral to future air operations. From ab initio to red air training, topics include autonomous systems mission commander training, AI supervision and trust, swarm command and control, human-machine interfaces, ethical decision-making, and the testing and certification of autonomous systems.
Through each dedicated stream covering Fixed Wing, Mission Aircrew and Autonomous Air Systems and Rotary Wing and Vertical Lift Operations, the Military Flight Training Conference will prepare the next generation of aircrew for the future fight. Through a focus on real-world combat readiness, future doctrine, CCA integration and lessons learnt from current conflicts, join the aviation training community to prepare for the realities of contested wartime operations rather than ideal operating conditions.
Key areas of discussion:
Autonomous systems mission commander training
The impact of drone technology
Swarm command and control
Human-machine interface management, MUM-T and CCA
AI supervision and trust calibration
Rules of engagement and ethical decision-making
Testing, validating and certifying autonomous systems
Meet Training Commanders Shaping Future Aircrew Requirements
Influence Investment Priorities and Position Your Capability Against Live Training, Readiness, and Transition Challenges
Engage Operators, Instructors and Programme Leads Facing Real Pipeline Pressure
Turn Visibility into Meetings with the Military Flight Training Community
Why Military and Government Should Attend MFT
Compare Approaches with Allied Training Leaders and Strengthen Interoperability Across Multinational Training Communities
Understand how Peers are Tackling Pipeline Pressure, Instructor Shortages and Reduced Flying Hours
Explore Practical Uses of Simulation, LVC, AI and Data to Improve Readiness
Access Modern Insights from Commanders Operating in Today’s Conflicts to Prepare for Next-Gen Training
Event Highlights
Watch the 2026 Highlights Video
Hear direct from our attendees and enquire today to discover how you can connect with the military aviation industry's most senior operations leaders. Our event will enable you to secure your position as a leading voice in shaping the future in Military Flight Training.
Sponsorship provides a unique opportunity to showcase your capabilities to senior military leaders and training professionals actively seeking solutions to enhance readiness, modernise training pipelines and improve operational effectiveness.
Defence iQ's 26th Military Flight Training event convenes the military flight training community, bringing together senior decision-makers from air forces, government and industry in one location. Through tailored networking opportunities, sponsors can build valuable relationships and generate meaningful business conversations that are difficult to achieve at larger, less focused trade shows.
It’s the only opportunity where we get to meet with our colleagues from industry and the military, both informally and formally, so we can really tackle the difficult problems we’re all facing.
Principal Officer for NATO Flight Training Europe
Billie Flynn
It’s an opportunity to gain relevant, real-world insight into how Western air forces are training today and how the technologies we all have are shaping the future. It’s immeasurable to have the chance to spend time with senior decision-makers, to understand where their priorities lie, what they’re looking for as customers, and how we can help them.
VP, Technology and strategic development – International test pilots school ltd
Charles “Magnum” Metrolis
It’s a great venue to connect with all of our allies and partners who are focused on the shared objective of delivering the best military flight training.
Leader, Diplomat, Strategist, Boeing
Luca Rancati
Being in a position to speak directly with the end user is essential for us to develop the right products and solutions. It allows us to better understand their challenges, their perspective, and what they need.
Commercial Director, AEREA S.pA.
Ryan Pulliam
This event has been incredibly valuable for us. Just by being here, we’ve made a tonne of great contacts. We anticipated it would be a good event, but it has really exceeded our expectations, and I believe we’ve made connections with representatives from almost every country, as well as NATO.
Co-founder, Specular Theory
Captain Simone Villetard
It’s a great opportunity to gain different perspectives and ask some of the questions you might think are difficult. They’re actually quite approachable at different levels, so it’s really encouraging to see that you’re not alone in this process and that so many other people are looking at the same issues.
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