GlobeNewswire·Nov 10, 2026, 8:05 AM ET

Merlin Awarded $8.9 Million Task Order To Advance USSOCOM C-130J Autonomy Program from Design Into Integration

Merlin Inc. (NASDAQ: MRLN) was awarded an $8.9 million task order from U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the next phase of its C-130J autonomy program.
This phase follows the completion of the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR).
The task order covers system integration, ground test preparation, cybersecurity approval, airworthiness acceptance, flight control law tuning, human factors evaluations, failure mode testing, and simulated flight-test dry runs.
Merlin aims to validate system performance, crew interaction, and responses to off-nominal conditions to support future flight demonstrations.
The program includes updating test plans, verification matrices, safety assessments, cybersecurity documentation for an Interim Authorization to Test (IATT), and an updated airworthiness plan.
Merlin's C-130J program is designed to reduce crew workload across all flight phases using the Merlin Pilot operating system.
Total IDIQ contract ceiling value for the C-130J autonomy program with USSOCOM exceeds $100 million.
Merlin is headquartered in Boston, operates as an aerospace and defense technology company, and has completed hundreds of autonomous flights globally.