Aircraft
Merlin Starts KC-135 Flight Test Campaign With the USAF
Tests support autonomous flight and aerial refueling studies with the military aircraft
KC-135
Merlin and SNC conducted the first flight tests for the U.S. Air Force's KC-135 automation program at the Pittsburgh Air National Guard Base in Pennsylvania.

Autonomous flight start-up Merlin and its partner Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) have completed the first three test flights for a U.S. Air Force program that aims to automate operations with the KC-135 Stratotanker. 

The USAF issued Merlin and SNC a temporary military flight release on July 22. Their first three KC-135 flights took place at the Pittsburgh Air National Guard Base in Pennsylvania, home of the 171st Air Refueling Wing. 

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