Merlin collaborates with US Air Force to pilot autonomous technology on KC-135 tanker.

Merlin, a company specializing in the development of safe and autonomous flight technologies, has entered into a partnership with the United States Air Force (USAF). This collaboration, which involves the Air Mobility Command (AMC) and the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), aims to transform the iconic KC-135 Stratotanker by integrating Merlin's cutting-edge Pilot system for autonomous operations.
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The KC-135 is a strategic refueling aircraft essential to the US military. (Picture source: US DoD)

This multi-year agreement with the USAF marks a strategic initiative to gradually enhance the capabilities of the KC-135, starting with reducing the crew's workload and progressing towards fully autonomous flight capabilities. This initiative underscores a step towards improving the Air Force's operational efficiency and readiness for future missions.

Merlin's Pilot system, designed to enhance the safety and autonomy of fixed-wing military aircraft, will undergo extensive testing and validation processes. This initiative aims to assess the system's effectiveness and reliability on the KC-135 tanker, which has been a cornerstone of aerial refueling and operational missions for the USAF for over 60 years. This foray into the military domain signifies a critical step in Merlin's journey to refine automation technology for defense applications.

Matt George, CEO and co-founder of Merlin, emphasized the significance of this partnership, highlighting the opportunity to enhance their automation systems, including the ability for autonomous close formation flying specifically for the KC-135 fleet.

The KC-135 Stratotanker, developed by Boeing, is a strategic refueling aircraft essential to the US military, specifically designed for the air refueling mission. This aircraft was developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype, which also served as the basis for the Boeing 707, although the KC-135 features a narrower fuselage and is shorter than the 707. Recognized as the USAF's first jet-powered refueler, the KC-135 replaced older propeller-driven tankers and marked a turning point in air refueling capability due to its increased speed and efficiency.

Since its introduction in the 1950s, the KC-135 has played a crucial role in the United States' military strategy, enabling fighter jets and other USAF aircraft to remain on missions longer without needing to return to base for refueling. This not only extended the operational range of the American air forces but also enhanced their ability to maintain a continuous presence in key regions around the world.

The KC-135 is equipped with several distinguishing features, notably its in-flight refueling system that allows for the transfer of fuel to other aircraft mid-flight. This capability is crucial for extended military operations and missions requiring high mobility. Moreover, over the years, the KC-135 has been upgraded to meet the evolving needs of the USAF, with improvements made to its navigation, communication, and refueling systems.

As Merlin and the USAF move forward with this partnership, the integration of autonomous flight technology into the KC-135 is set to transform aerial military operations, offering new heights of mission efficiency and capabilities.