FutureFlight
Merlin Labs Partners With Special Missions Operator to Convert King Airs for Autonomous Flight
Merlin Labs is developing what its calls a "drop-in autonomy kit" that can convert aircraft such as the twin-engine King Air for remotely piloted operations.
Merlin Labs Dynamic Aviation King AIr
Merlin Labs is partnering with Dynamic Aviation to convert the operator's King Air fleet for autonomous operations. (Photo: Merlin Labs)

Merlin Labs has agreed to a partnership to convert up to 55 Textron King Air twin turboprops operated by Dynamic Aviation for autonomous flight. The Boston-based company has raised $25 million to support its plans to bring its “drop-in autonomy kit” into commercial service.

The first King Air from Dynamic’s fleet is being used for flight testing at a facility in the Mojave Air & Space Port in California. Merlin intends to convert multiple aircraft types under FAA supplemental type certificates for use in a variety of public- and private-sector applications.

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