USAF Accepts Merlin Airworthiness Plan | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-02.10.25

Airborne-NextGen-02.11.25

Airborne-Unlimited-02.12.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-02.13.25

Airborne-Unlimited-02.07.25

Thu, Nov 14, 2024

USAF Accepts Merlin Airworthiness Plan

Significant Progress Toward Certification Of Merlin Pilot For KC-135

Merlin announced that its airworthiness plan for the Merlin Pilot KC-135 testing has been accepted by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). The joint USAF-Merlin project will evaluate the viability of scaling Merlin Pilot to large transport aircraft.

This milestone shows that Merlin’s processes are consistent with USAF airworthiness standards and allows the company to progress toward aircraft integration, design completion, and testing operations.

The acceptance follows Merlin’s recently announced collaboration with the Air Mobility Command (AMC) and Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) to design, integrate, test, and demonstrate its Merlin Pilot on the KC-135. The collaboration agreement was signed in February 2024 and this is its first milestone to be executed. It lays the foundation for Merlin Pilot’s certification and eventual Military Flight Release.

Matt George, CEO and founder of Merlin commented, “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. This is an important milestone for both Merlin and the USAF as we continue to build the Merlin Pilot to exceed the military’s operational needs.”

Integration of Merlin Pilot on the KC-135 kickstarts its Part 25 airworthiness programs and is central to continued advancements on this class of aircraft. Merlin is targeting end of 2024 for design completion, with ground and flight testing, and demonstrations to be carried out in 2025.

FMI:  merlinlabs.com/

Advertisement

More News

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (02.09.25)

“We are very pleased to enter into this MoU agreement with Gogo, especially as we aim to offer our Airbus ACJ operators and business leaders the highest standard connectivity>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (02.09.25)

Aero Linx: Rhode Island Pilots Association (RIPA) The Rhode Island Pilots Association represents the GA community based at seven airports in the State of Rhode Island. Our mission >[...]

Airborne-Flight Training 02.06.25: AeroEducate, Mil KingAirs, PilotWorkshops

Also: Lufthansa Dreamliner Sim, ATC Can't Quit, NBAA Leadership, Acting FAA Head ierra Space is becoming the newest content provider for EAA’s AeroEducate online resource and>[...]

Airborne 02.05.25: No Outs 4 ATC, Sporty's Acquires, 'Black' Boxes

Also: NOTAM System Restored, Textron Mil Trainers, Axiom Space, Police Rescues Cirrus Pax The Trump administration’s attempt at downsizing the federal workforce has run into >[...]

Airborne 02.03.25: Drone Pilot Bust, New Acting FAA Boss, PNE Lear Accident

Also: 2 Blimps For OSH, USCG-Airbus Deal, Japan Buys T-6s, Starliner Boss Replaced A 56-year-old California man recently pled guilty after he flew his drone into a Super Scooper fi>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC