GE Aerospace, Merlin team on AI-powered autonomy for military and civil aircraft

Questions and answers:

Q: What is the GE Aerospace and Merlin autonomy core initiative? A: It is a next-generation AI-enabled autonomy and pilot-assist platform designed to bring autonomous capabilities to existing and future military and civil aircraft.

Q: What technologies are involved? A: The system combines GE Aerospace’s Flight Management System and Modular Open System Architecture with Merlin’s AI-powered autonomy software, avionics packages, and datalink solutions.

Q: Which aircraft programs will use the autonomy core first? A: The KC-135 Center Console Refresh (CCR) program is the initial platform, aimed at modernizing aging cockpit components and enabling reduced crew operations.

CINCINNATI - GE Aerospace in Cincinnati and Merlin Labs, a developer of autonomous flight technology in Boston, announced a joint effort to develop a next-generation autonomy and pilot-assist platform.

The platform will introduce artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled capabilities to existing and future military and civil aircraft, enabling crew reduction and supporting uncrewed flight operations. GE Aerospace’s Flight Management System already operates on more than 14,000 aircraft worldwide, providing an opportunity to integrate Merlin’s autonomy software into legacy military platforms. The autonomy core aims to become the system of record for high-assurance aerial systems, enabling single-pilot operations (SPO) and reduced crew workload.

"At GE Aerospace, we're constantly working to find innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Working with Merlin, we're able to combine our proven Flight Management System expertise and Modular Open System Architectures with Merlin's autonomy software to unlock new capabilities," said Matt Burns, general manager of Avionics Systems at GE Aerospace.

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Flight management

The initiative combines GE Aerospace’s expertise in flight management and open system architecture with Merlin’s autonomy software, avionics packages, and datalink solutions to deliver a scalable, certifiable solution for SPO and uncrewed flight. Matt George, CEO of Merlin, said the collaboration enables quick deployment of autonomy capabilities across multiple platforms, expanding customer reach and boosting revenue growth.

The KC-135 Center Console Refresh program is the first opportunity to introduce the autonomy core, addressing aging cockpit components and sustaining the Air Force’s refueling fleet. Merlin already has agreements with the Air Force Materiel Command to integrate autonomy onto the KC-135, a first step toward uncrewed operations. Expansion is expected across transport, refueling, and civil aviation.