Merlin Labs, a U.S. AI startup, announced the acquisition of EpiSci, a company known for its AI flight systems for F-16 jets. This move aims to combine their expertise in AI aviation. Merlin is also collaborating with the U.S. Air Force on an unmanned KC-135 refueling aircraft, with a test flight expected next year. Additionally, they are developing an AI system for unmanned C-130 transport planes. This acquisition positions Merlin as a key player in the AI unmanned flight systems market.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merlin, the aviation technology company developing the world’s most capable pilot to advance the future of automated flight, today announced its partnership with MIT Lincoln Laboratory (LL) in the first step towards an operational next generation collision avoidance technology. This partnership will see the two organizations explore the commercial adoption of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System Xu (ACAS Xu) on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The partnership will focus on the initial integration and further implementation of the ACAS Xu software standard (RTCA DO-386) with the Merlin Pilot, allowing Merlin to deliver enhanced automated collision avoidance measures based on the outputs from ACAS Xu that exceed the standards of the National Airspace System. Funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), MIT LL’s ACAS X is an onboard next generation airborne collision avoidance system designed to help pilots and unmanned aircraft safely navigate the airspace, eventually set to replace the current Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System II (TCAS). The ACAS Xu version of the system is tailored for unmanned aircraft systems and is fully compatible with the new airspace procedures and technologies of the FAA’s next generation air transportation system. By partnering with MIT LL to integrate the ACAS Xu software with the Merlin Pilot, progressive steps are being made toward integrating unmanned aircraft systems into the National Airspace System safely and scalably

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merlin, the aviation technology company developing the world’s most capable pilot to advance the future of automated flight, today announced the completion of the design and build of the company’s Certification System Bench, which was built to the fidelity required for certification testing. The Certification System Bench is a flight test simulator with both certifiable software and hardware components that allows Merlin to constantly test its advanced automation systems from its Boston headquarters. Unlike traditional in-flight testing, the Certification System Bench can be utilized irrespective of weather, maintenance schedules, and pilot availability. Further, Merlin’s Certification System Bench features cameras that provide remote accessibility and testing abilities for Merlin’s distributed, global team, and also includes three screens that represent the pilot deck as well as accurate instrument panels and primary flight displays. “In many ways, the Certification System Bench acts as a testing ‘funnel.’ It allows us to test hundreds of cases with speed and ease, selecting edge cases to take to in-flight testing. As a result, we’re able to reduce the use of our test aircraft and keep it for limited cases only,” said Sherif Ali, Chief Engineer for the certified Merlin Pilot project