Merlin Labs

Merlin is a U.S.-based developer of cost-effective, takeoff-to-touchdown autonomy for both legacy and next-generation airborne systems.

The company's aircraft agnostic, AI-powered software is purpose-built for military and civil programs.

Capabilities

• Autonomous flight

Location

Kerikeri, Northland (North Island)

Sectors served

Defence

Website

merlinlabs.com

Careers

merlinlabs.com/careers

Last checked

28 October 2026

Products and programmes

• Merlin Pilot

  “The Merlin Pilot is a single, aircraft-agnostic solution for autonomous aviation.”

  Source: merlinlabs.com

Where it works in New Zealand

• Kerikeri, Northland Office or base

History

1. 2023

   “The 2023 Alaska campaign included 25 test flights from Fairbanks to Fort Yukon, Galena, Huslia, Tanana, and Prudhoe Bay, with a safety pilot aboard.”

   Source: merlinlabs.com
2. 2026

   “A public demonstration of the Caravan work came on July 17, 2026, when Merlin Pilot completed an autonomous landing at Oshkosh”

   Source: merlinlabs.com
3. 2026

   “In August 2026, the Flight Control Computer and Automated Communication System achieved Stage of Involvement 3 with the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand”

   Source: merlinlabs.com

Common questions about Merlin Labs

Answered by the directory from the checked facts on this page.

Where is Merlin Labs based in New Zealand?

Kerikeri, Northland.

From merlinlabs.com

What does Merlin Labs make or run?

Its products and programmes include Merlin Pilot.

From merlinlabs.com

What are Merlin Labs' milestones?

The directory lists 3, from 2023 (“The 2023 Alaska campaign included 25 test flights from Fairbanks to Fort Yukon, Galena, Huslia, Tanana, and Prudhoe Bay, with a safety pilot aboard.”) to 2026 (“the Flight Control Computer and Automated Communication System achieved Stage of Involvement 3 with the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand”). See History

From merlinlabs.com/news/cessna-grand-caravan-a-testbed-for-aircraft-agnostic-autonomy

Which sectors does Merlin Labs serve?

Defence.

From merlinlabs.com/company

How can I contact Merlin Labs?

Through its website, merlinlabs.com.

Updates

• Publication date not stated by the source · added to the directory 25 October 2026 · Other

  Flight Autonomy vs. Mission Autonomy

  The article distinguishes between flight autonomy, which operates the aircraft safely, and mission autonomy, which determines how to pursue an objective. It argues that these are complementary layers with different responsibilities rather than a single scale of autonomy.

  Merlin Labs

  Organisation's own announcement: Flight Autonomy vs. Mission Autonomy · checked 25 October 2026

  Summary written and checked automatically against quotes from the source.

• Publication date not stated by the source · added to the directory 25 October 2026 · Other

  Merlin Adds L-39 Albatros to Its Test Fleet, Helping Merlin Pilot™ Extend to More Tactical Mission Sets

  Merlin Labs has added an Aero L-39C Albatros to its test fleet as its first jet. The aircraft is intended to serve as a dedicated jet testbed for flight testing and the continued development of Merlin Pilot for tactical aircraft.

  Merlin Labs

  Organisation's own announcement: Merlin Adds L-39 Albatros to Its Test Fleet, Helping Merlin Pilot™ Extend to More Tactical Mission Sets · checked 25 October 2026

  Summary written and checked automatically against quotes from the source.

• Publication date not stated by the source · added to the directory 25 October 2026 · Other

  Merlin Moves its U.S. Flight Operations to North Central State Airport

  Merlin has moved its U.S. flight operations to North Central State Airport in Smithfield, Rhode Island, concluding operations at Quonset State Airport. The move provides additional hangar capacity to support an expanding aircraft fleet and growing flight testing requirements.

  Merlin Labs

  Organisation's own announcement: Merlin Moves its U.S. Flight Operations to North Central State Airport · checked 25 October 2026

  Summary written and checked automatically against quotes from the source.

• Publication date not stated by the source · added to the directory 25 October 2026 · Event

  Presence Is Deterrence: Autonomy for the World’s Unwatched Waters

  Merlin Labs hosted the President of Palau at its Rhode Island test flight facility, where he expressed a desire for the nation to serve as a test case for autonomous aviation in the Pacific.

  Merlin Labs

  Organisation's own announcement: Presence Is Deterrence: Autonomy for the World’s Unwatched Waters · checked 25 October 2026

  Summary written and checked automatically against quotes from the source.

• Publication date not stated by the source · added to the directory 25 October 2026 · Other

  The Cessna Grand Caravan: A Testbed for Aircraft-Agnostic Autonomy

  Merlin Labs uses the Cessna Grand Caravan as a testbed to evaluate software and collect flight data for developing its autonomous pilot system. The aircraft's low operating costs and suitability for short transport missions allow for frequent flight testing to guide software updates.

  Merlin Labs

  Organisation's own announcement: The Cessna Grand Caravan: A Testbed for Aircraft-Agnostic Autonomy · checked 25 October 2026

  Summary written and checked automatically against quotes from the source.

Jobs

The directory does not list this organisation's roles yet; see its careers page.

Careers page

Sources

Each fact above was checked against the quoted text on these pages. Editorial sources were checked by hand.