Autonomous Cargo Flights Complete Test Series

A company developing software for autonomous cargo aircraft completed a series of test flights out of Fairbanks. Everts Air Cargo and the UAF Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI) assisted Boston-based Merlin in putting its “non-human pilot” through real-world operational challenges.

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Merlin has a $1 million contract with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to demonstrate a highly automated flight control system. The demonstration involved twenty-five flights from Fairbanks to Fort Yukon, Galena, Huslia, Tanana, and Prudhoe Bay. More than sixty hours of systems-on, autonomous flight time were successfully completed; a safety pilot was aboard to assist the software, called Merlin Pilot.

“As we’ve learned in collaboration with Merlin’s team, it’s very apparent that they are doing this right,” says ACUASI director Cathy Cahill. “Their integrated approach to our unique ecosystem is one of the main reasons they were the first company with which we approached the FAA. They use real data to train the onboard automation system to ensure safety.”

By flying a crewed aircraft augmented with its integrated hardware and software solution, Merlin collected extensive data for handling complex terrain and inclement weather. These test flights are also the first to integrate an autonomous pilot into a natural airspace system.

“The data we’ve been able to gather from these flight trials is critical to the maturation of our in-flight technology, but also to our continued progression in certifying the Merlin Pilot,” says Matthew George, co-founder and CEO of Merlin. “It’s exciting to know our technology can successfully reach remote locations in Alaska, proving an important application for autonomy; its ability to assist in dangerous missions. We’re incredibly thankful for the support and partnership of the FAA, Everts Air Cargo, and ACUASI. Our partners have been critical in our ability to progress the Merlin Pilot.”