Air Force Eyes Merlin Autonomy System for Entire Tanker Fleet
Under a new contract, the company will develop an automated flight plan system that can be integrated across current and future tankers.
Under a new contract, the company will develop an automated flight plan system that can be integrated across current and future tankers.
The developer of autonomous flight software for Part 23 aircraft says its test campaign will culminate in a supplemental type certificate.
Company engineers observed pilots as they performed a variety of tasks, collecting data to identify where automation can be most helpful.
The manufacturer says the technology is designed to accelerate its path to supplemental type certification with regulators in the U.S. and New Zealand.
The Boston-based company says the approval puts it on a viable path to certification and commercial operations for Merlin Pilot, its flagship autonomous flight system.
The Merlin Pilot will be the first automated flight control system to secure NAS integration, and aims to reduce workloads amid the ongoing pilot shortage.