Merlin Labs, Inc., an aerospace and defense technology company building the operating system of record for autonomous flight, today announced the successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for its C-130J autonomy program with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Completion of the PDR is a major milestone in the program’s technical maturation and clears the way for an immediate transition into the Critical Design stage, an essential step in validating the maturation of the system’s design. Upon completion of the PDR, Merlin’s preliminary integration design and airworthiness approach for demonstration were approved, marking a key step toward assured, certification-grade autonomy.

The PDR is part of Merlin’s awarded $105 million Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, supporting the development of a production-ready reduced aircrew capability for Special Operations Forces (SOF) C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. Under this contract, Merlin is rapidly advancing its AI-powered autonomy stack onboard the C-130J, with internally scoped pathways for expansion across the broader SOF fixed-wing fleet.

“Completing the PDR is a pivotal milestone for our C-130J program, bringing us closer to delivering highly assured autonomy that elevates mission performance, enhances safety, and expands operational flexibility for Special Operations Forces,” said Matt George, CEO and founder of Merlin. “This work ensures our autonomy platform meets the rigorous safety standards required for operational deployment while driving the next wave of innovation in military aviation.”

The next stages of the contract following the Critical Design Review encompass system integration and ground testing, and a series of takeoff to touchdown flight demonstrations.