Merlin Labs updates
All 5 published updates about Merlin Labs, newest publication date first; updates without a stated date come last.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.