The US Air Force (USAF) has given the green light to Merlin’s airworthiness plan for testing its autonomous flight system, Merlin Pilot, on the KC-135 Stratotanker, a key aircraft in the Air Force’s fleet. This milestone is a significant step forward in the development of autonomous aviation technologies, with the Merlin Pilot system poised to revolutionize the way military aircraft operate.
The approval enables Merlin to move ahead with integrating and testing its AI-powered flight system, which is designed to automate many of the tasks traditionally performed by human pilots. This collaboration between Merlin and the Air Mobility Command (AMC), alongside Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), sets the stage for extensive ground and flight testing, scheduled for 2025. The tests will focus on evaluating the system’s capabilities, scalability, and the potential for automating various operations on larger transport aircraft.
Merlin’s CEO, Matt George, emphasized the importance of integrating Merlin Pilot on the KC-135, noting that it is a crucial step in advancing military aviation and enhancing pilot efficiency.
Merlin Pilot is equipped with advanced sensors and AI algorithms that allow it to monitor the aircraft’s state and surrounding environment, making real-time adjustments to optimize flight paths. The system’s Natural Language Processing (NLP) capabilities enable it to communicate with air traffic control just like a human pilot, facilitating seamless interaction during operations.
The company’s ultimate goal includes expanding the capabilities of the Merlin Pilot across numerous aircraft, and achieving autonomous flight from takeoff to landing.
As Merlin continues to develop its innovative flight technologies, the successful testing and integration of the Merlin Pilot into the KC-135 is expected to be a game-changer for military aviation, paving the way for the next generation of autonomous aircraft in both military and commercial sectors.
