Prospect of an Autonomous Hercules Fast-Tracks Funding in Hopes of Quick Breakthrough

Merlin, hot off a few test flights aboard some KC-135s, has gotten a $105 million production contract to automate the C-130J.

The contract was granted under an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to lay the groundwork for a "production-ready reduced aircrew capability" using their favorite fixed-wing aircraft, the C-130J Super Hercules. The contract will make use of some nifty Utilizing Small Business Innovation Research or SBIR authorities to really hit the ground running, hopefully shortening the runway for a production-ready autonomous kit for the C-130J specifically.
Merlin notes that its previous partnership with the Air Force from 2022 included multiple phases in a similar vein, even including design integration for the C-130J, testing, flight testing, full takeoff & landing demos, maturation of autonomy skills, and additional integration in Special Operations Force aircraft. This most recent contract will focus on making that autonomous aircrew capability real-life usable, and provide some funding to begin integration should it pan out.

“The contract award marks a milestone in the collaboration between USSOCOM and Merlin, accelerating our ability to bring high levels of autonomy to a variety of fixed wing platforms to support the warfighter. In addition, the magnitude of the contract is an important proof point that USSOCOM continues to bring innovative capabilities out of testing and into production track programs,” said Matt George, co-founder and CEO, Merlin. “The forward-thinking approach to autonomy that USSOCOM has shown throughout the process of vetting Merlin for award is essential to a scalable industry and safe future. We look forward to expanding our partnership with this team as we continue to deliver operationally relevant capabilities.”

It's good news for Merlin, who has managed to jump from a lesser-known member of the military's AAM-adjacent projects right to the front of the pack, with systems that are apparently closer to fruition than one would think in 2024. Having the capability to automate a C-130J would be a definite 'get' for SOCOM and the USAF, allowing them to pawn off routine flights on the automation and allocate human pilots to missions of greatest import - a boon in a world where not even $180,000 bonuses can keep fighter jocks from wandering off into the world of civil aviation. Fully automated flights may not be in the cards for a while, should the systems need some time to prove themselves without the watchful eye of man. Even then, a functional "pilot" with autonomous capability can stretch human resources by acting as a helpful second-in-command to a human.

FMI: www.merlinlabs.com