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Merlin will integrate autonomous software into the cockpit of a Lockheed Martin C-130J and prepare for future ground and flight testing under a new contract from U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM)
The $8.9 million task order follows the completion of a critical design review last March of the C-130J autonomy system.
“This task order brings us closer to demonstrating how Merlin Pilot can reduce the demands on C-130J aircrews and expand the operational capacity of the aircraft,” Merlin CEO Matt George said.
The autonomy system for the C-130Js is designed to reduce crew workload in all phases of flight, ranging from managing radio traffic to controlling the aircraft.
The systems integration task order will tune the flight-control laws, evaluate human factors, test failure modes and simulate flight tests, according to Merlin.
“Through our work with [SOCOM], we’re building a path from autonomy development to practical mission capability,” George said.
The funded path currently stops short of a ground- and flight-test campaign of a C-130J with autonomy software aboard. In March, another Merlin executive detailed several challenges to full integration and testing, including a possible need to upgrade the servos on the C-130Js' actuators to respond quickly enough to automated commands in certain situations.
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