News archive: Merlin (Merlin Labs) | Airframer

20 October

ReleaseMerlin expands flight operations with move to North Central State Airport

17 September

The two companies are exploring the concept as a right-sized option alongside larger airlift assets.

Textron and Merlin unveil pilot-optional SkyCourier concept

Built on the twin-engine Cessna SkyCourier, the design explores forward-loading cargo architecture and unimproved-runway operation for dispersed forces.

9 September

ReleaseMerlin announces plans to pursue a civil certification strategy for large aircraft

12 August

The Flight Control Computer and Automated Communication System have both reached Stage of Involvement 3.

Merlin Pilot clears key New Zealand certification stage

Merlin's autonomy platform has moved a step closer to full certification following agreement with regulators on its AI based capabilities.

23 July

ReleaseMerlin and IAI sign agreement to advance AI-powered autonomy for commercial cargo aircraft

26 June

ReleaseElroy Air to become publicly traded company via business combination with Inflection Point-led SPAC

4 June

ReleaseMerlin successfully completes critical design review for C-130J autonomy program with USSOCOM

14 May

ReleaseMerlin unveils plans for AI-powered autonomy for commercial cargo aircraft

29 April

ReleaseMerlin, Inc. announces $80 million PIPE investment to accelerate program execution and unlock new growth opportunities

16 March

ReleaseMerlin and Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. IV announce closing of business combination

5 March

ReleaseMerlin successfully completes Preliminary Design Review for C-130J autonomy program with USSOCOM

17 November

ReleaseMerlin Labs, Inc. and Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. IV announce upsizing of PIPE investment to more than $200 million

28 October

ReleaseMerlin achieves Stage of Involvement (SOI) 2 milestone with Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, advancing path to certification

23 September

ReleaseGE Aerospace and Merlin announce autonomy core initiative for advanced aviation

18 September

ReleaseMerlin establishes Hanscom Field as new flight test hub to advance AI in aviation

14 August

ReleaseMerlin to go public via business combination with Inflection Point-led SPAC as leading defense prime contractor for AI in aviation

7 August

Beacon brings together flight-proven software and hardware with partner technologies to test autonomous systems in real-world mission scenarios.

Six partners aboard for Beacon autonomy testbed trials

Flight trials on the Scaled Composites Model 437 aircraft and Northrop Grumman hardware will begin this year using autonomy software from partners including Applied Intuition and Shield AI.

31 July

Red 6 is providing augmented reality training tools to simulate high-threat mission environments on the Beacon platform.

Merlin and Red 6 join forces with Northrop Grumman on Beacon

Two companies will support autonomy testing on the Vanguard using software and augmented reality tools in Mojave, California.

22 May

ReleaseMerlin secures Experimental Certificate of Airworthiness in New Zealand, accelerating certification flight testing

8 May

ReleaseMerlin progresses flight test campaign of certification-ready aircraft

1 May

ReleaseMerlin continues certification-ready flight test operations at Quonset State Airport

19 March

ReleaseMerlin achieves FAA approval for custom Remote Data Concentrator; progresses the development and certification of the Merlin Pilot

12 November

ReleaseMerlin’s airworthiness plan achieves acceptance by United States Air Force to bring reduced crew capabilities to the KC-135 Stratotanker

12 September

The successful flight campaign demonstrates Merlin’s ability to integrate safety-critical technology on Part 23 aircraft.

Merlin begins flight testing of certification-ready aircraft

The company says that it is validating takeoff to touchdown advanced automation, which for pilots, represents a system that is truly 'set it and forget it.'

6 August

ReleaseMerlin kicks off KC-135 test flight campaign with SNC to progress autonomous capabilities for the United States Air Force

13 June

The Airframer Bulletin