NAVAIR Publishes New Textbook On M&S Credibility
In December 2025, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) published a new textbook, titled Modeling and Simulation Credibility. The 492-page, publicly releasable book is authored by the SURVICE Engineering Company’s David Hall (with input from numerous contributors) for the Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division’s Verification, Validation and Accreditation (VV&A) Office in support of the Navy Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Office. It provides a comprehensive understanding of NAVAIR’s cost-effective M&S credibility assessment process, including details and examples of VV&A activities and how they provide support to the credibility of M&S. Also included are numerous examples that demonstrate not only how to apply the processes to M&S in existing system developments but also how to evaluate, improve, and appropriately document the credibility of any M&S tool used in the Department of Defense.
The risk-based credibility assessment process detailed in the book was initially developed for, and applied to, aircraft survivability M&S, but it has been continuously expanded over the past 30+ years and demonstrated for a wide variety of M&S types and applications. The publication is thus ultimately intended to provide fundamental material, background, and training to new VV&A practitioners and system acquisition professionals, as well as review material for experienced VV&A analysts.
The book is available for download from the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) R&E Gateway (visit https://discover.dtic.mil/ and search for accession number AD1346450) and the JASP website (https://www.jasp-online.org/resources/modeling-and-simulation-credibility/).
MQ-20 Drone Controlled From F-22 Cockpit for First Time
In October 2025, a test flight at the Nevada Test and Training Range at Nellis Air Force Base, NV, successfully demonstrated command and control of an airborne MQ-20 Avenger drone by a pilot flying in a nearby F-22 Raptor. The contractor-sponsored flight, which is reportedly the first such demonstration of this important manned-unmanned teaming capability, was part of the Air Force’s ongoing Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and loyal wingman programs. During the demonstration, the F-22 pilot used an in-cockpit tablet, the GRACE open architecture, and proprietary software-defined radios and data links to direct the MQ-20. The Avenger is considered to be an ideal CCA test surrogate while competing semi-autonomous CCA drone prototypes continue to be developed, tested, and considered for acquisition. Likewise, the Raptor is the primary fighter platform the Air Force envisions to pair with CCA drones, though other platforms are expected to be added as well.
For more information, visit https://www.defensenews.com.
Runway Optional: New X-BAT Autonomous VTO Fighter Unveiled
In October 2025, aerospace and defense developer Shield AI unveiled its new artificial intelligence-driven unmanned vertical takeoff fighter, called X-BAT. Most notably, the new multirole, unmanned fighter features the ability to take off and land without a runway, fly 2,000 nautical miles fully armed, and operate autonomously either in standalone mode or collaboratively with other aircraft (such as in a loyal wingman configuration). Accordingly, the aircraft promises to significantly enhance the U.S. military’s ability to execute a wide range of strike; counter-air; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); and other missions, especially in contested areas. The “brain” of the X-BAT is the company’s Hivemind software, which the Air Force has been using in its X-62A VISTA, a modified experimental F-16 that can fly—and even dogfight—autonomously.
For more information, visit https://www.defensenews.com.
New Space Force Publication and Documentaries
In March 2025, the U.S. Space Force published a high-level framework for how it plans to achieve/maintain global superiority in future space warfare. The 20-page publication, titled Space Warfighting: A Framework for Planners, defines key concepts and terminology to promote standardized use among primary participants and stakeholders. To download the publication, visit https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25907120-space-warfighting-a-framework-for-planners-blk2-final-20250410/.
In addition, in May and June of 2025, the Space Force released two short documentary films highlighting the Force’s mission, responsibilities, and capabilities to deliver combat-ready forces and equipment. The first film, titled “The United States Space Force: America’s Invisible Front Line,” is a 20-minute overview of the importance of the space domain in protecting U.S. national security and other interests; the Space Force’s structures, organizations, and focus areas; and some of the specific technologies, countermeasures, and activities in which the Force is currently involved. The documentary can be viewed on the Space Force website (https://www.spaceforce.mil/).
The second documentary, titled “Always Above,” is a 12-minute discussion of the role the organization is playing—in partnership with other such agencies as NASA and the Missile Defense Agency—to help safeguard some of the nation’s most vital assets, such as GPS navigation, military operations, and essential satellite infrastructure. The film, which is being screened in select planetarium theaters across the country, can also be viewed on the Space Force website (at https://www.spaceforce.com/news-events/experience/always-above) and on personal VR devices.
