BOSTON - Self-flying aircraft may be closer to takeoff than you think. On Thursday, Boston-based Merlin Labs announced it began what it claims is the first test campaign of a certification-ready, takeoff-to-touchdown autonomous flight system. The company’s Merlin Pilot is designed to one day allow small aircraft to fly with no humans on board, Jack Daleo writes for Flying. Continue reading original article.
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
9 September 2024 - Merlin, an autonomous flight technology for fixed-wing aircraft, announced it successfully began the flight test campaign of its certification-ready Cessna Caravan aircraft equipped with the Merlin Pilot. The company says once its autonomous tech is proven, it is extensible across additional aircraft types and classes, including the Merlin Pilot’s integration on the C-130J and the KC-135 in partnership with the United States Air Force.
The aircraft was converted to include a glass cockpit with advanced avionics, new sensors, autopilot, and an automated communication system. The advanced automation systems feature dual redundancy akin to those found in the Part 25 air transport category aircraft, ensuring enhanced reliability and safety standards. The aircraft initially underwent integration check flights in June 2024, and functional check flights, and is now working through open, inner, and closed looping testing flights, which will culminate in Q3 2024 with validation of Merlin’s automatic flight control system.
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Jamie Whitney, Senior Editor
Military + Aerospace Electronics
