Merlin Labs announced that it has completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for its C-130J autonomy solution, developed in a program with and for the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). This is a significant step towards an autonomous flight system for the HERCULES aircraft. It was the CEO of Merlin Labs, Matt George, to reveal the milestone in a company statement.
The aim is to integrate the “Merlin Pilot” into the C-130J, an autonomy core that will bring advanced automation capable of managing flight operations from takeoff to touchdown. Clearing the Preliminary Design Review confirms critical technical and safety requirements have been met, enabling progress into the next stage of development, which will lead to the Critical Design Review.
The Merlin Pilot, once mature, is intended to be applicable to “a wide range of aircraft types”. According to Merlin Labs it is a system designed from the outset for autonomous flight, rather than adapted from conventional autopilot technology.
In June 2024, Merlin Labs received a USSOCOM Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract valued at up to $105 million to lead this effort for the C-130J. The option of flying autonomously is seen as a way to expand operational flexibility and reduce reliance on human crews in specific mission scenarios. Merlin Labs is also working with the USAF for a Merlin Pilot solution for the KC-135 tanker aircraft.
Merlin Pilot first flew experimentally in 2019 and the Company aims to make it a “platform agnostic” solution. In the short term, the AI could dramatically reduce the workload on the pilots and/or replace half of the human crew, but fully autonomous mission conduct is a long term goal.
The next stages of the C-130J program will include system integration and ground testing followed by flight demonstrations. If successfully implemented, autonomous flight systems could allow transport aircraft to perform certain missions with reduced crew requirements or fly crewless, high-risk resupply missions.
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