Merlin, the leading developer of safe, autonomous flight technology for fixed-wing aircraft, has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Technical Standard Order (TSO) authorization for its custom Remote Data Concentrator (RDC), developed in collaboration with Shadin Avionics. This FAA approval supports Merlin’s ability to create certified advanced automation for an aircraft platform, and marks a significant milestone in the ongoing flight test campaign of its certification-ready autonomy platform.

Designed to support the Merlin Pilot’s advanced automation capabilities, the RDC ingests analog data from existing and new aircraft sensors, converts it to a digital format, and transmits it to Merlin’s flight control computers. Merlin collaborated closely with Shadin Avionics to define the system, hardware, and design specifications. Receiving the FAA’s TSO authorization confirms that Merlin’s custom RDC meets rigorous airworthiness standards for both civil and military aviation applications, and once certified, is adaptable for various aircraft types and classes, including the C-130J and the KC-135.

"Our team is meeting technical milestones regularly, which significantly advances the Merlin Pilot toward certification while enhancing aviation safety and efficiency," said Matt George, CEO and founder of Merlin. "The FAA’s authorization of our RDC is a major achievement in our Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) program, reinforcing the strength of our collaboration with Shadin Avionics and our commitment to the highest aviation standards. This approval is a critical step toward integrating safe and reliable autonomy into both civil and military airspace."