Merlin Labs has completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for its autonomy system designed for the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft operated by the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM).
The review approved Merlin’s initial integration plan and airworthiness approach for demonstration, representing a major milestone toward achieving certification-ready autonomous flight capability. With the PDR completed, the program will move into the critical design phase in the coming months, with the first flight test scheduled later this year using a modified aircraft.
The contract covering both the preliminary and critical design reviews was awarded in August 2024 as part of a wider five-year program valued at $104 million. The initiative aims to deliver a production-ready aircraft capable of operating with reduced crew requirements, improving safety and operational flexibility for special operations missions.
Once the Critical Design Review (CDR) is completed, the project will transition into system integration, ground testing, and a series of full-flight demonstrations covering the entire mission profile from takeoff to landing.
Merlin is developing an AI-powered autonomy stack intended to enable autonomous flight functions and support the potential adoption of the technology across the broader fixed-wing fleet used by US special operations forces.
