Jerry Petersen 
- The task order was issued under an IDIQ contract awarded in 2024
- That contract seeks to enable special forces to operate C-130J aircraft with fewer crew members
- Previous milestones under the contract include the completion of the preliminary design review and the critical design review
Merlin, an aerospace and defense technology company focused on autonomous flight systems, has received an $8.9 million U.S. Special Operations Command task order for the next phase of its C-130J autonomy program. Merlin said Tuesday that work under the award covers integrating the Merlin Pilot system with the aircraft, preparing for ground tests, obtaining cybersecurity approval and securing government acceptance that the system is safe to fly.
What Is Merlin Pilot?
Merlin Pilot is Merlin’s artificial intelligence-powered autonomy system. It is designed to work on different aircraft types and is meant to fly an aircraft from takeoff to landing, managing onboard systems and monitoring its surroundings. It has logged hundreds of flights across several platforms and is being adapted for commercial cargo transport.
“This task order brings us closer to demonstrating how Merlin Pilot can reduce the demands on C-130J aircrews and expand the operational capacity of the aircraft,” commented Matt George, CEO and founder of Merlin.
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Before the system is installed on the aircraft, Merlin will adjust the software that translates autonomy commands into aircraft control inputs. It will also assess how crews interact with the system, test how it responds to malfunctions and rehearse flight tests in simulation.
Ahead of ground testing, the company will update its test plans and procedures for government review. It will also update the documents tracking how each requirement will be checked, as well as its safety assessments. Merlin will advance the cybersecurity assessment and paperwork needed for an Interim Authorization to Test, which is a temporary approval to operate the system during testing. It will then deliver an updated plan showing how it will establish the system’s safety for flight demonstrations.
What Contract Was the Merlin-USSOCOM Task Order Issued Under?
The task order was issued under a $105 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract Merlin received from USSOCOM in June 2024. USSOCOM awarded the contract using Small Business Innovation Research authorities.
The contract funds work toward a production-ready system that would let special operations forces fly C-130J Super Hercules aircraft with fewer crew members. The contract calls on Merlin to design how its automation system will fit into the C-130J, integrate the system and test it on the ground, pass a review confirming its readiness for flight testing and then carry out flight tests. Merlin must also demonstrate automated flight from takeoff to landing, further develop the system’s autonomous skills and integrate it on other SOF fixed-wing aircraft over five years.
Merlin completed the preliminary design review early this year, Airforce Technology reported. The review approved Merlin’s preliminary design for installing its system on the C-130J and its approach to showing that the aircraft can fly safely during demonstrations. Completing the review cleared Merlin to begin the critical design stage, which assesses whether a design is mature enough to proceed.
As of June, the critical design review was completed. The review confirmed that the system’s design was ready and finalized its configuration for the C-130J, moving Merlin from design work to installing the system on the aircraft and the beginning of formal test campaign, work that is covered by the latest task order.
