Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

The U.S. Air Force has accepted Merlin’s airworthiness plan for a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker retrofitted with its autonomous flight control system, called Merlin Pilot. Announcing the news on November 12, the Boston-based company said it aims to begin flight demonstrations with the Merlin Pilot-equipped KC-135 inflight refueling platform in 2025.
Merlin’s airworthiness plan outlines its approach to obtaining and maintaining military airworthiness approval for the Merlin Pilot KC-135, which the company is developing in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force’s Air Mobility Command and Air Force Materiel Command. Meanwhile, the company is working with the U.S. Special Operations Command <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2022-07-14/merlin-labs-raises-105-million-partners-us-air-force-autonomous-flights">to automate the C-130J Super Hercules</a> transport aircraft.&nbsp;
“We’re building the Merlin Pilot to not just meet safety standards, but redefine them. Integrating the Merlin Pilot onto one of most important aircraft in the USAF’s fleet is crucial to advancing military aviation into a new era of pilot efficiency and national security, as well as progressing autonomy at scale,” said Merlin founder and CEO Matt George.
The Merlin Pilot combines advanced autopilot and navigation technologies with artificial intelligence-driven natural language processing capabilities, allowing the system to communicate verbally with air traffic control just like a human pilot.&nbsp;
<h2>Early Operations Maintain a ‘Pilot in the Loop’</h2>
While Merlin’s ultimate goal is to enable fully autonomous flights with no crew on board, it plans to first offer the system as a pilot aid, alleviating pilot workload and enabling reduced-crew or single-pilot operations in both military and civilian airplanes.&nbsp;
On the commercial side, Merlin plans to make the “drop-in autonomy kit” available for retrofit under supplemental type certificates for a variety of legacy aircraft, including the Cessna Grand Caravan and Beechcraft King Air. It recently partnered with Honeywell to integrate its autonomous flight technology with the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-10-18/honeywell-and-merlin-will-merge-autonomous-technology-anthem">Honeywell Anthem</a> avionics suite.&nbsp;
In September, Merlin launched a flight test campaign with its first “certification-ready” Merlin Pilot-equipped Cessna Caravan. According to Merlin, that flight test campaign will culminate in an FAA supplemental type certificate that the company can use as a basis to integrate the Merlin Pilot into other Part 23 aircraft.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

U.S. Air Force Approves Merlin's Airworthiness Plan for Autonomous KC-135

Inflight refueling aircraft slated for first autonomous flight in 2025

The U.S. Air Force has accepted Merlin’s airworthiness plan for a KC-135 Stratotanker retrofitted with the Merlin Pilot autonomous flight control system.

USAF Approves Merlin's Airworthiness Plan for Autonomous KC-135

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Entire contingent on T&I committee warned that executive actions are causing chaos

House T&I Dems Call on Duffy To Explain Funding Halts

Charles Alcock

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

EBAA and GAMA say new report shows true costs of environmental restrictions

Europe’s Economy Faces Big Hit from Green Limits on Bizav

Duffy nomination received a 77-22 vote in the Senate

U.S. Senate Confirms Sean Duffy as DOT Secretary

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

In this article

Merlin

Boeing

More In Regulations and Government

House T&I Dems Call on Duffy To Explain Funding Halts

Entire contingent on T&I committee warned that executive actions are causing chaos

Europe’s Economy Faces Big Hit from Green Limits on Bizav

EBAA and GAMA say new report shows true costs of environmental restrictions

U.S. Senate Confirms Sean Duffy as DOT Secretary

Duffy nomination received a 77-22 vote in the Senate

Utah Partners with Beta To Launch AAM Operations

Beta will install electric aircraft charging stations in Utah

NBAA’s Rocheleau Returns To FAA as Deputy Administrator

Rocheleau served as COO for NBAA

Sean Duffy Nomination Easily Clears Senate Commerce Vote

Approval paves way for full Senate consideration

Flurry of White House Actions Reaching into Aviation

Regs are on halt, ASAC dismantled, and key agency positions vacant

In Washington, Taxes, Tariffs on Upcoming Agenda

Industry hopeful of bonus depreciation renewal but wary of potential tariffs

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN