Executive Summary : The integration of human operators and autonomous systems is becoming increasingly prevalent in modern defense operations. However, there are still significant gaps in operator confidence and planning effectiveness when using these systems. Low confidence and poor deployment can lead to wasted potential or, even worse, serious risks to man and machine. As militaries adopt these technologies, how can the simulation and training community enhance the warfighter’s ability to collaborate with these systems and trust in their effectiveness? In this presentation, we will explore how continuous simulation—integrated at every phase of the warfighter's planning process, from receiving the warning order to conducting mission rehearsals—can bridge this gap. By empowering warfighters to build confidence in autonomous solutions and explore optimal deployment strategies, we can enhance their operational effectiveness. Join us as we uncover how optimizing human-machine collaboration with simulation can help warfighters win the wars of tomorrow.