Advanced Aviation Technology company Merlin Labs has made headlines recently with a series of successful automated flight tests. The company reached a major milestone in the development of its advanced automated flight system, allowing the company, with the backing of a $1 million contract with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to complete a series of 25 test flights in Alaska, in the process showcasing its highly automated flight control systems alongside a safety pilot.
Merlin completed 25 test flights in Alaska in partnership with the FAA Designated University of Alaska Fairbanks UAS Test Site and Everts Air Cargo.https://t.co/g16xhndFCB#futureofflight #autonomousflight #autonomy #flysafe #evertscargo #aerospace pic.twitter.com/F0P6Fbe8Go
— Merlin (@MerlinAero) July 6, 2023
This was not the accomplishment of solely Merlin Labs, with the University of Alaska Fairbanks UAS Test Site and Everts Air Cargo playing roles in the development of the software and hardware that was critical for these test flights. The product of years of development is the Merlin Pilot, an integrated hardware and software solution that can be utilized on crewed aircraft. Beginning its journey in Fairbanks, the test flights ventured throughout the state, including destinations such as Fort Yukon, Galena, Huslia, Tanana, and Prudhoe Bay. Throughout the course of these flights, the Merlin Pilot logged over sixty hours of autonomous flight time, collecting data in real-world conditions characterized by challenging terrains and adverse weather.
