Textron, Merlin Unveil Autonomous SkyCourier UX Concept Aircraft

Uncrewed design comes in response to ‘growing military interest’ in autonomous contested logistics.

Jack Daleo

Monday, September 14, 2026 at 02:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Textron Aviation and Merlin Labs are jointly exploring the Cessna SkyCourier UX concept aircraft for contested logistics missions. [Credit: Textron Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Textron Aviation introduced the Cessna SkyCourier UX concept, a twin turboprop aircraft designed for military logistics, integrating autonomous aviation software.
This concept aims to bridge the gap between small tactical drones and large military transport aircraft, offering a medium-payload solution (approx. 6,000 lbs) for cargo delivery in austere and contested environments.
Paired with Merlin Pilot autonomous software, the SkyCourier UX is envisioned to enable reduced-crew or fully uncrewed operations, improving cargo accessibility and supporting operations from unimproved runways.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Just a few months after Textron Aviation announced its first military order for the Cessna 408 SkyCourier, the manufacturer on Monday unveiled a SkyCourier UX concept aircraft that would pair the twin turboprop with autonomous aviation software for a variety of military logistics missions.

According to Textron, the design, presented this week at the Air & Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, would be for mission profiles that fit somewhere between those of small tactical cargo drones and large military transport aircraft. It is intended to improve cargo accessibility, maximize usable volume, and support operations from austere locations.