Flying

Merlin’s Self-Flying Cessna Begins Testing for FAA Validation

Merlin Labs has begun test flights for its "Merlin Pilot" autonomous flight system, aiming to achieve takeoff-to-touchdown self-flying capabilities, with the ultimate goal of operating aircraft ...
Inside Unmanned Systems

Merlin Labs: Bringing Autonomy to the Air Force’s Bread-and-Butter Fleet

The U.S. Air Force’s autonomy future may rest less on next-generation platforms than on the 400 C-130Js and 300 KC-135s ...
Flying

Air Force Eyes Merlin Autonomy System for Entire Tanker Fleet

The U.S. Air Force has contracted Merlin Labs to develop and integrate self-flying capabilities for its tanker fleet, starting with the KC-135 Stratotanker. This initiative aims to automate critical ...
The Boston Globe

Self-flying plane startup lands $105 million defense contract

Boston-based Merlin, a startup that makes software to automate aircraft, has been awarded $105 million by the US Special Operations Command, part of the Department of Defense. Merlin is to develop a ...
The Boston Globe

You’ve heard of self-driving cars. What about self-flying planes?

Robot vacuum cleaners are one thing. Robot cars, too. But robot airplanes? A Boston startup called Merlin says it’s just a matter of time before planes will fly themselves. Merlin has teamed up with ...