Avionics
Merlin’s Autonomous C-130J Passes Critical Design Review
USSOCOM program advances into aircraft integration phase
A gray U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules turboprop transport aircraft in flight
Merlin is developing its autonomous Merlin Pilot system for the C-130J Super Hercules under a contract with U.S. Special Operations Command.

Merlin has completed the critical design review (CDR) for its C-130J autonomy program with U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), moving the program out of design development and into aircraft integration, the company announced on Thursday.

Completion of the CDR confirms the system’s design is ready for the next phase of development. The program will first advance through hardware-in-the-loop simulation before moving to aircraft integration and ground testing, with flight demonstrations to follow, a Merlin spokeswoman told AIN. Boston-based Merlin completed the preliminary design review in March. No specific C-130J airframe has been designated for integration yet, the spokeswoman said, citing USSOCOM’s current operational demands.

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