Avionics International reports, “Honeywell, a supplier of avionics systems, and Merlin, a small company developing software for autonomous military aviation, have partnered to bring more autonomy to military and commercial aircraft. The initial focus of the partnership will be fixed-wing military aircraft, the companies said on Thursday. ”
Full Story (Avionics International)
Tag: Merlin
Self-Flying Cessna Begins Testing for FAA Validation
Flying Magazine reports, “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.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
MIT and Merlin to Collaborate on Integration of Collision Avoidance Technology
Aviation International News reports that MIT Lincoln Laboratory “is working with flight automation system developer Merlin on plans to implement new collision avoidance technology.” The organizations “will explore the commercialization of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System Xu on uncrewed aircraft. Initially, the collaboration will focus on implementing the ACAS Xu’s RTCA DO-368 software standard with the Merlin Pilot automation system Merlin is developing for use on existing aircraft.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)
U.S. Special Ops Command Partners with Merlin to Automate C-130s
Flying Magazine reports, “The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has awarded a $105 million contract to Merlin to build virtually autonomously operated C-130J Super Hercules transports. Although the description of the resulting aircraft is that they have ‘reduced aircrew capability,’ one of the requirements for the contract is that they be able to fly takeoff to touchdown without human intervention.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)