Acceptance of the "airworthiness plan" allows the KC-135 autonomous flight test program to get underway, Merlin said. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]
Key Takeaways:
The U.S. Air Force has approved a plan to integrate an AI-driven robotic flight system, "Merlin Pilot," into its KC-135 tanker fleet.
Autonomous flight developer Merlin is set to begin flying the converted Boeing 707s with this AI system in 2025.
This initiative, which required the Air Force's acceptance of Merlin's airworthiness plan, aims to enhance pilot efficiency and national security by advancing military aviation autonomy.
The U.S. Air Force has signed off on a plan to put AI in the left seat of its KC-135 tanker fleet.
Autonomous flight developer Merlin announced it will begin flying the converted Boeing 707s, among the oldest airframes in the fleet, with Merlin Pilot, an AI-driven robotic flight system, in 2025.
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Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
