GE Aerospace, Merlin Join Forces on Autonomy

Partners are targeting the Air Force’s Center Console Refresh program for the first integration of their combined system.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 02:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

GE Aerospace’s flight management systems are installed on more than 14,000 aircraft, which are now candidates to be equipped with Merlin’s Pilot autonomy platform. [Courtesy: GE Aerospace]

Key Takeaways:

Merlin Labs and GE Aerospace are partnering to develop an "autonomy core" platform for civil and military aircraft.
This collaboration aims to enable reduced-crew, single-pilot, and fully autonomous uncrewed flight capabilities.
The first integration target for the system is the U.S. Air Force’s KC-135, with future plans to expand to other tankers, turboprops, and civil aviation.
The partnership combines GE's expertise in flight management systems and open architecture with Merlin's advanced AI-powered autonomy software.

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Autonomous flight system developer Merlin Labs is joining forces with GE Aerospace to equip civil and military aircraft with reduced-crew, single-pilot, and fully-autonomous uncrewed capabilities.

Merlin and GE on Tuesday announced their team-up to develop an “autonomy core”—a certifiable autonomy and pilot-assist platform designed to reduce crews. The partners are targeting the U.S. Air Force’s KC-135 Center Console Refresh (CCR) effort for the first integration of the system. Later, they will expand to tankers and turboprops used for refueling, transport, and civil aviation missions.