U.S. Air Force To Test Single-Pilot C-130 Flight Crews

The U.S. Air Force has partnered with Merlin Labs to flight test a Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules using an autonomous co-pilot.

Kimberly Johnson

Thursday, August 04, 2022 at 05:48 PM ET

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A HC-130J Combat King takes off from the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Georgia. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force is partnering with Merlin Labs to integrate autonomous flight technology into C-130J Hercules aircraft, aiming to enable single-pilot operations.
This initiative is primarily a response to a global pilot shortage affecting both military and commercial aviation, seeking to increase safety, reduce crew requirements, and enhance operational readiness.
Merlin Labs' system involves retrofitting aircraft with advanced software and hardware for autonomous control, including the ability to respond to verbal instructions from air traffic control.

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Can a Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) C-130J Hercules fly with just one pilot? It’s a scenario the U.S. Air Force is exploring through a new partnership with Merlin Labs, a Boston-based autonomous flight company that’s gearing up to test autonomous operations in the Air Force’s venerable cargo workhorse.

Under the collaboration, Merlin Labs will retrofit a C-130 with software and technology that will slim down the number of onboard crew, from two pilots to one. The C-130, built at Lockheed Martin’s factory in Marietta, Georgia, holds the record for the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft, according to the manufacturer. The Hercules first flew in 1954.