Merlin Labs develops autonomous flight technology, specifically the Merlin Pilot, an advanced system designed to operate aircraft without human intervention. This system can be integrated into various types of aircraft, making it adaptable to different sizes and ages. The technology is being developed in collaboration with aviation authorities like the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand to ensure it meets safety and regulatory standards. Unlike competitors, Merlin Labs takes a phased approach by initially pairing the autonomous system with human pilots, which helps ensure safety and build trust in the technology. The goal is to provide a scalable solution for commercial airlines, cargo transport companies, and private aircraft owners, positioning Merlin Labs as a significant player in the future of aviation.

Floodgate

Harpoon

Bling Capital

First Round Capital

BoxGroup

Quiet Capital

Howard Morgan

Shrug Capital

Ben Ling

Western Technology Investment

Baillie Gifford

Snowpoint Ventures

US Department of Defense

Federal Aviation Administration

Automotive & Transportation

Aerospace

Merlin Labs

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded Merlin a USD1 million contract to demonstrate a highly automated flight control system in conjunction with a safety

Merlin USD1 million FAA grant will “allow for the first autonomous system integrated into the NAS” - Urban Air Mobility News

PHOENIX - Honeywell in Phoenix and Merlin Labs, a Boston-based developer of autonomous flight technology for fixed-wing aircraft, announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on introducing autonomous systems across various aircraft, including military fleets.

Honeywell and Merlin collaborate on autonomous flight tech for civil and military aircraft

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.

Merlin Labs Acquires EpiSci for AI Flight

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 appointment of three C-level executives to its leadership team. Soo Cho, a former Palantir executive with over a decade of people management and employment counsel experience, will serve as Merlin’s Chief Operating Officer leading the company’s people and internal business operations, including ongoing flight test campaigns. Additionally, Merlin appointed Patrick DePriest, its former Vice President of Finance, to Chief Financial Officer, as well as Grant Crenfeldt, its former Director of Operational Compliance and Safety, to Chief Executive Officer of Merlin New Zealand. Upleveling Merlin’s leadership team comes on the heels of recent commercialization and certification achievements. These include entering an agreement with the United States Air Force (USAF) to design, integrate, test, and demonstrate aspects of the Merlin Pilot on the KC-135 Stratotanker for the first time, as well as receiving a Part 135 Air Operators Certificate to support future operational freight routes in New Zealand. These milestones are indicative of the vigorous work Merlin is doing to safely certify and commercialize the Merlin Pilot, underscoring the importance of advanced operational expertise and a strong leadership team

Merlin Elevates Executive Team With Appointment Of Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, And New Zealand Chief Executive Officer

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

Merlin Completes Design And Build Of Certification System Bench To Accelerate Company’S Path To Supplemental Type Certification

A Merlin helicopter then launched a Training Variant Torpedo (TVT) abeam of Type 23 frigate HMS Portland.

Royal Navy: HMS Queen Elizabeth's aircraft launch torpedoes and test weapons during Carrier Strike Group task

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

Merlin Partners With Mit Lincoln Laboratory (Ll) To Continue Work To Dramatically Improve Aviation Safety

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merlin, the leading developer of safe, autonomous flight technology for fixed-wing aircraft, today announced it received a Part 135 Air Operators Certificate to support future operational freight routes in New Zealand. Upon the Merlin Pilot’s completed product certification by the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA), Merlin will be able to conduct critical data collection flights on selected regional freight routes, as well as leverage its dedicated test facility in Kerikeri for current and future certified products. Merlin opened this Kerikeri center for operations in May 2023, and has been progressing both organizational and product certification since its Project Specific Certification Plan (PSCP) was first approved in August 2021 by the CAA. The data collected during these freight routes is critical for future development decisions that will be implemented globally, as well as ensuring in-air operability and certification of the Merlin Pilot with both the CAA and the Federal Aviation Association (FAA). In May 2023, Merlin also achieved its state of involvement (SOI) 1 milestone with the CAA, putting the Merlin Pilot on a viable path to certification and commercial operation. “Achieving an organizational Part 135 certification gives us the opportunity to work with a forward-thinking regulator as well as leverage New Zealand as a sandbox for our current and future products

Merlin Awarded Part 135 Organizational Certification For Air Freight Operations In New Zealand

A large, regional feeder airline for UPS and other overnight express carriers last week tentatively committed to buy 20 remote-controlled cargo jets, with a novel design, for middle-mile deliveries.Ameriflight, which flies 156 small turboprop aircraft daily to more than 200 destinations in the U.S. and the Caribbean, signed a letter of intent with San Diego-based Natilus for 20 Kona feeder aircraft valued at $134 million, the companies announced.Natilus is developing a family of pilotless aircraft it claims will increase cargo volume by 60% and cut carbon emissions in half, thereby making air shipments more affordable. The efficiency gains are possible because of carbon-fiber composite airframes and a blended-wing body — essentially a uniframe in which sections meld together — that creates more usable volume and better aerodynamics than a traditional airliner.The absence of pilots also leaves more room for cargo.The Kona is a short-haul feeder aircraft with a maximum payload of 4.7 tons and 900-mile range designed to carry the equivalent of seven LD3-45 small shipping containers. It is powered by two rear propeller engines. Other variants are a medium-haul jet with a 73-ton capacity, similar to a Boeing 767, and a long-range unmanned vehicle with a 121-ton payload.The triangular blended wing-body configuration is a departure from tube-and-wing aircraft, which are loaded in a linear fashion. By rotating the cargo to 45 degrees, the diamond configuration maximizes space in the aircraft for more loading positions, a highly desirable quality in an e-commerce era when light boxes fill up planes before the takeoff weight limit is reached

Ups Feeder Airline Intends To Buy 20 Pilotless Cargo Jets

Develops autonomous flight technology for aircraft

Merlin Labs

Develops autonomous flight technology for aircraft

Merlin Labs

Develops autonomous flight technology for aircraft

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