The Combat Air Forces Weapons and Tactics Conference (WEPTAC) took center stage at Nellis AFB on January 15 and 16, bringing together a cross-section of the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and industry partners. Hosted by the United States Warfare Center and directed by Air Combat Command’s (ACC) Directorate of Operations, WEPTAC is a premier forum for discussing current warfighting challenges, exploring emerging threats, and shaping the future of joint force employment.
Our team at M42 was honored to take part in the concurrent industry tradeshow, where we showcased our latest technology solutions and gathered invaluable feedback from the warfighters themselves. The conversations we had were just as important as the displays—a unique opportunity to hear firsthand how today’s operators view existing products and what they’re looking for in next-generation capabilities.
A Focus on Joint Warfighting
Although WEPTAC has traditionally been an Air Force-dominated event, this year’s increased participation from other services underscored the growing emphasis on joint and multi-domain operations. Attendees and speakers highlighted the importance of interoperable platforms and networks that could be quickly adapted to the needs of various mission sets, from air superiority to ground operations and everything in between.
Driving Innovation Through Direct Feedback
By speaking directly with operators, we gained better insight into their day-to-day realities—where technology excels, where it falls short, and what improvements matter most when lives are on the line. Understanding these perspectives helps inform our development roadmap, ensuring that future iterations of our platform address real-world needs and challenges.
Shaping Tomorrow’s Capabilities
Senior leadership, including ACC’s commander and other MAJCOM leaders, were actively engaged, providing a broader strategic vision for the Air Force and its sister services. Over two days, we saw how the alignment of industry innovation with operational requirements can accelerate effective solutions. As we continue refining our offerings, we’re mindful of the need to integrate smoothly into diverse operating environments, unify data sharing, and secure mission-critical information.
Looking Ahead
We left WEPTAC 2025 energized by the collaborative spirit that brings warfighters and industry partners together. Events like these foster the kind of open dialogue and rapid feedback cycle that drive meaningful advances in defense technology. Our focus remains on supporting those on the front lines with secure, adaptable capabilities—delivered in close partnership with the men and women committed to ensuring our national defense.
For more information on our presence at WEPTAC or to learn about our ongoing defense initiatives, reach out to our team.