Merlin has signed an agreement with the US Air Force to develop autonomous flight technologies for improved mission resilience and adaptability in contested or degraded environments.
The collaboration will integrate US Air Force operational data with Merlin’s work in autonomy architecture, human-machine teaming, and mission software.
Their goal is to design systems that enhance mission assurance, reduce operator workload, and increase aircraft survivability.
This research will focus on autonomous fault detection, recovery, and dynamic mission adaptation, allowing aircraft to respond to system failures or unexpected operational changes.
The agreement also emphasizes open, modular designs compatible with future US Air Force and commercial platforms, supporting government-owned and interoperable architectures.
“Through this collaboration, we can align Merlin’s expertise with the USAF’s operational priorities, helping to define autonomy standards that strengthen the entire defense ecosystem,” stated Merlin General Manager for Tactical Autonomy Chris Gentile.
Latest Projects
Merlin is working on multiple US programs and collaborates with several defense firms to advance autonomous flight technologies across different aircraft platforms.
Last month, GE Aerospace and Merlin announced a partnership to develop “Autonomy Core,” an AI-driven platform for military and civilian aircraft.
The system aims to enable single-pilot and unmanned operations, reduce crew workload, and support the growing trend toward aviation automation.
In 2024, Merlin secured a $105-million contract to develop autonomous capabilities for the US Special Operations Command’s C-130J Super Hercules.
The project focuses on integrating and testing production-ready systems that enhance safety and mission flexibility.
