Partnering with the FAA designated University of Alaska Fairbanks UAS Test Site and Everts Air Cargo, Merlin Pilot will be the autonomy system integrated into the National Airspace System (NAS).
Trials are due to start in the second quarter of this year to reach underserved areas of Alaska while reducing the risk to pilots.
Merlin will use crewed aircraft combined with Merlin Pilot, its integrated hardware and software solution, to serve rural cargo destinations.
During initial tests, safety pilots will monitor the experimental flight control system.
All routes will originate from Fairbanks and fly to Fort Yukon, Galena, Prudhoe Bay, Huslia and Tanana.
Matthew George, Co-Founder and CEO of Merlin, says, “The Merlin Pilot is being developed to make the skies safer and more accessible. These initial flight trials are vital to maturing our in-flight capabilities and it’s rewarding that this work will also serve a material need in the communities of Alaska.
“To date, we have conducted hundreds of missions with our Merlin Pilot on five aircraft types from our dedicated flight test facility in Mojave, California. Alongside the FAA, and our operating partner Everts Air Cargo, we’re thrilled that the Merlin Pilot will soon be learning in a real world, complex environment.”