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Merlin Developing Autonomous Flight Tech With Air Force Pilot Input

Company engineers observed pilots as they performed a variety of tasks, collecting data to identify where automation can be most helpful.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 03:05 PM ET

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Merlin engineers Josie Cater, Nick Lepore, and Carl Pankok stand in front of a modified U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker. [Courtesy: Merlin Labs]

Key Takeaways:

Merlin Labs collaborated with the U.S. Air Force on KC-135 Stratotanker flights to gather data for its autonomous flight system, Merlin Pilot.
The system aims to reduce pilot workload, enhance safety, efficiency, and cost savings, addressing pilot shortages without immediately replacing pilots.
This data will support a contract for integrating and testing Merlin Pilot on the KC-135, aligning with the Air Force's broader push to automate various aircraft.
Merlin Labs has also conducted autonomous cargo flight trials for the FAA and is pursuing certifications, indicating widespread interest in its technology.

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This month, engineers from Boston-based Merlin Labs, the developer of a platform-agnostic, takeoff-to-touchdown autonomy system for fixed-wing aircraft, joined U.S. Air Force pilots in the cockpit of a KC-135 Stratotanker.

Over the course of two flights on May 15 and 16 at MacDill Air Force Base (KMCF) in Florida, engineers gathered data that will inform the development of the company’s autonomous flight system, Merlin Pilot. Intended to reduce the workload of pilots amid the ongoing pilot shortage—but not replace them, at least in the short term—the technology has also drawn the attention of government agencies, including the Air Force.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.