Merlin Wins $8.9 Million USSOCOM Task Order to Move C-130J Autonomy Program Into Integration and Validation Preparation
Merlin announced in Boston on November 10, 2026, that it had been awarded a new $8.9 million task order for the next phase of its C-130J autonomy program with U.S. Special Operations Command. The award follows completion of the program Preliminary Design Review and Critical Design Review.
The new phase covers system integration, ground test preparation, cybersecurity approval and airworthiness acceptance to support future flight demonstrations. Merlin said the C-130J program is designed to reduce crew workload across all phases of flight.
Merlin describes itself as an aerospace and defense technology company building the operating system of record for autonomous flight. The release gave no specific date for flight demonstrations.
(Source: Merlin)
Source: Merlin
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国空军 C-130J 运输机起飞（资料图）。照片：CC0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: A U.S. Air Force C-130J takes off (file photo). CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
