Merlin Labs
Merlin Labs develops AI-powered autonomous flight software (Merlin Pilot) that operates fixed-wing aircraft from takeoff to touchdown, serving U.S. Department of Defense programs and commercial cargo operators. The publicly traded company (NASDAQ: MRLN) is prime contractor on a $105 million USSOCOM C-130J autonomy contract.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersBoston, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Merlin Labs does
Merlin Labs is a Boston-based autonomous aerospace company developing the Merlin Pilot, a full-stack AI-powered autonomous flight system designed to operate aircraft from takeoff to touchdown with or without a human crew on board. The Merlin Pilot combines a deterministic rule-based safety core with machine learning perception, learning-based weather navigation, and natural-language processing for air traffic control communications, and is engineered to be aircraft-agnostic so that the same autonomy stack can be adapted to C-130J tactical transports, KC-135 aerial refueling tankers, Cessna Caravans, Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard testbeds, and converted commercial cargo airframes. Supporting products include a FAA Technical Standard Order-authorized Remote Data Concentrator (developed with Shadin Avionics), the Condor product family targeting large multi-crew commercial cargo aircraft, and the Autonomy Core platform co-developed with GE Aerospace for military and civil flight management systems.
The company's revenue model is anchored on a defense-first, sales-led go-to-market. Primary revenue derives from U.S. Department of Defense programs, most notably a $105 million IDIQ contract from U.S. Special Operations Command under which Merlin is prime contractor for C-130J autonomy integration, plus undisclosed U.S. Air Force KC-135 autonomy work executed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. Merlin participates in investor conferences (Jefferies Defense Tech Summit, ROTH Capital Partners, Maxim Group Defense Tech Conference) and receives equity research coverage from TD Cowen, consistent with a public-company enterprise sales motion. The company filed for and completed a SPAC business combination with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. IV in March 2026, raising approximately $200 million in PIPE proceeds at an $800 million pre-money valuation and listing on NASDAQ under ticker MRLN, followed by an $80 million follow-on PIPE in April 2026 that brought total cash resources to approximately $183 million.
Beyond the defense core, Merlin is pursuing commercial cargo autonomy (Condor targeting a Boeing-projected market growing from 2,340 to nearly 3,900 large cargo aircraft over twenty years), civil certification pathways with the FAA and Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand on the Cessna Grand Caravan 208B, and international defense expansion via an exclusive UAE partnership with Remah International Group. Customer diversification is in motion across defense primes (Northrop Grumman, GE Aerospace), cargo operators (Everts Air Cargo, Quikjet, World Star Aviation), and civil authorities, but near-term revenue remains heavily concentrated in U.S. Department of Defense contracts. FY2025 revenue was approximately $8.5 million, with Q1 2026 revenue of approximately $1 million up 15% year-over-year and trailing-twelve-month growth reported at 514%.
Merlin Labs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Merlin Labs
- Legal name
- Merlin, Inc.
- Website
- https://merlinlabs.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Merlin Labs develops AI-powered autonomous flight software (Merlin Pilot) that operates fixed-wing aircraft from takeoff to touchdown, serving U.S. Department of Defense programs and commercial cargo operators. The publicly traded company (NASDAQ: MRLN) is prime contractor on a $105 million USSOCOM C-130J autonomy contract.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Merlin Labs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Autonomous Aviation Software
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Military Avionics, Mission Computers & Flight Controls (IMABAMAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN), Special-Mission Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (ISR, AEW&C, Patrol) (IMABAAAH)
Keywords
Where Merlin Labs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Merlin Labs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- U.S. Defense Contracts: Primary revenue stream from U.S. Department of Defense contracts, including the $105M IDIQ contract with USSOCOM for C-130J autonomy integration and undisclosed USAF contracts for KC-135. Revenue recognized as task orders are funded and work performed under applicable accounting standards. Represents the majority of current revenue.
- Commercial Cargo Autonomy: Future revenue stream from commercial cargo aircraft operators, targeting the large cargo fleet projected to grow from 2,340 to nearly 3,900 aircraft over 20 years. Merlin Pilot for Commercial Cargo (Condor product family) targets converted commercial cargo airframes through partnerships with freight operators and lessors.
- Autonomy Platform Licensing: Potential licensing revenue from the Autonomy Core platform developed with GE Aerospace, targeting both military and civil aviation applications. KC-135 Center Console Refresh program identified as first deployment opportunity.
- Civil Certification Services: Revenue opportunity from Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) certification pathway for civil autonomous flight operations. Company progressing through FAA and NZ Civil Aviation Authority certification processes for Cessna Grand Caravan autonomous operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | USSOCOM C-130J IDIQ Contract |
| Other | Multi-year contract | KC-135 Autonomy Program |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | PIPE Financing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Merlin Labs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Merlin Labs develops and sells the Merlin Pilot, an AI-powered autonomous flight system that operates aircraft from takeoff to touchdown with or without a human crew. The software is aircraft-agnostic, integrating sensor perception, machine-learning decision-making, deterministic safety logic, and natural language processing for ATC communication, and is designed for civil and military certification from day one. Supporting offerings include the Condor product family for large multi-crew aircraft and the FAA TSO-authorized Remote Data Concentrator (RDC) hardware component developed with Shadin Avionics.
Product overview
Merlin Labs is developing the Merlin Pilot as its core autonomous flight system — an AI-powered software platform that can operate any aircraft from takeoff to touchdown, with or without a human crew on board. The Merlin Pilot is aircraft-agnostic, designed to adapt to any plane in operation today and in the future. Supporting products include Condor (the first named product targeting large multi-crew commercial cargo aircraft in civil and defense markets), the custom Remote Data Concentrator (a FAA-authorized hardware component that bridges analog aircraft sensors to Merlin's digital flight control computers), and the Autonomy Core platform developed in partnership with GE Aerospace targeting the KC-135 and broader military and civilian aircraft. The company operates at the intersection of aviation and artificial intelligence, pursuing both military programs (USSOCOM C-130J, USAF KC-135) and civil certification pathways with the FAA and Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Merlin Pilot: AI-powered autonomous flight system designed to operate aircraft from takeoff to touchdown with or without a human crew.
- Condor
- Autonomy Core
Products and services
- Merlin Pilot AI-powered autonomous flight system designed to operate any aircraft from takeoff to touchdown, with or without a human crew on board. Combines deterministic rule-based control with machine learning, sensor perception, and natural language processing for ATC communication. Sold to defense and commercial cargo customers under IDIQ contracts and licensing arrangements.
- Condor Merlin's product family designed to bring AI-powered autonomy to large multi-crew aircraft in civil and defense markets, including converted commercial cargo airframes. Builds on technology tested with USSOCOM on the C-130J.
- Remote Data Concentrator (RDC) Custom hardware component developed in collaboration with Shadin Avionics that ingests analog data from aircraft sensors, converts it to digital format, and transmits it to Merlin's flight control computers. FAA TSO-authorized for civil and military aviation use.
- Autonomy Core Next-generation AI-powered autonomy and pilot-assist platform co-developed with GE Aerospace, combining GE's Flight Management Systems and open system architecture with Merlin's autonomy software suite. Targets crew reduction, single-pilot operations, and uncrewed flight on military and civil aircraft.
Quantifiable outcome
- IDIQ contract ceiling value of $105M from USSOCOM demonstrating government customer validation
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Merlin Labs
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Merlin Labs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability4 records
Feature8 records
Merlin Labs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- World Star AviationminorFreighter lessor partnership to integrate Condor autonomy system into converted commercial cargo airframes. Collaboration advancing commercial cargo aircraft autonomy targeting large cargo fleet projected to grow from 2,340 to nearly 3,900 aircraft over next two decades.
- Remah International Group (UAE)minorExclusive teaming agreement establishing Merlin and Remah International Group as exclusive partners for autonomous flight systems in UAE. Partnership identifies suitable use cases and aircraft platforms while RIG supports implementation and sustainment for regional defense operators.
- Red 6minorCo-participant in Northrop Grumman's Beacon testbed ecosystem alongside Merlin Labs and Shield AI. Advancing augmented reality pilot training system and autonomous technologies for defense applications.
- Shield AIminorCo-participant in Northrop Grumman's Beacon testbed ecosystem integrating Hivemind AI agent (previously used on X-62 autonomous F-16 tests). Partnership advancing autonomous capabilities for US defense applications.
- Everts Air CargominorPartnership for automated air cargo network trials in Alaska. Merlin completed 25 test flights reaching remote rural locations including Fort Yukon, Galena, Huslia, Tanana, and Prudhoe Bay under FAA contract. First automated air cargo network in US operated by non-human pilot.
- GE AerospacecoreCollaboration to develop 'Autonomy Core,' a next-generation AI-powered autonomy and pilot-assist platform for military and civil aircraft. GE's Flight Management Systems expertise combined with Merlin's autonomy software and avionics packages. KC-135 Center Console Refresh program identified as first teaming opportunity, with expansion potential across transport, refueling, and civilian aircraft. GE's FMS footprint includes 14,000+ aircraft globally.
- Northrop GrummancoreAgreement to integrate Merlin Pilot onto Northrop Grumman's Beacon testbed ecosystem using Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard aircraft. Merlin provides mission autonomy software, engineering integration for software-in-the-loop testing, flight test operations, and on-site personnel for flight tests in Mojave, California. Partnership accelerates next-generation uncrewed systems development.
- QuikjetminorPartnership for first-of-its-kind in-flight pilot fatigue study using WHOOP wearable devices. Monitors physiological health indicators (stress, sleep quality, body temperature, heart rate) of commercial cargo pilots. Research informs autonomous flight technology development and aviation safety standards.
- U.S. Air ForcecoreCooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with USAF for autonomous contingency management capabilities. KC-135 autonomy testing with airworthiness plan acceptance. Collaboration on fault detection, recovery, mission adaptation, and system resilience. AFWERX partnership supporting innovation pathways.
- SNCminorPartnership for KC-135 test flight campaign with SNC. Collaboration advancing autonomous capabilities for US Air Force aerial refueling fleet.
- U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)corePrime contractor for C-130J autonomy program under $105M IDIQ contract awarded June 2024. Integration of Merlin Pilot autonomous flight system into Special Operations Forces C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. Program advances through PDR and CDR milestones with goal of demonstrating autonomous capabilities to enhance operational safety for US warfighters.
- AmeriflightminorPartnership for autonomous flight system integration onto cargo aircraft. Ameriflight operates regional cargo flight network, providing operational testing environment for Merlin Pilot in commercial cargo applications.
- Dynamic AviationminorPartnership involving 55 aircraft for autonomous flight system deployment and testing. Early commercial partnership for Merlin Pilot integration onto Dynamic Aviation aircraft fleet.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Merlin Labs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Shield AI: Defense AI autonomy company building the Hivemind agent for uncrewed aircraft. Co-participant with Merlin in Northrop Grumman's Beacon testbed ecosystem and the most direct competitor for DoD autonomy dollars.
- Reliable Robotics: Autonomous flight company focused on cargo aircraft automation; closely comparable to Merlin's commercial cargo (Condor) and Cessna Caravan autonomy work targeting pilot-shortage-driven cargo operations.
- Anduril Industries: Large defense technology company building autonomy and AI-enabled systems (including Lattice and Fury/CCA); competes with Merlin for DoD autonomy programs and shares the SHIELD program inclusion.
Emerging players
- Xwing: Autonomous cargo flight developer using Cessna Caravans for regional cargo; overlaps with Merlin's FAA Alaska cargo and Caravan STC programs in target use case and aircraft platform.
- Joby Aviation: Autonomous eVTOL developer pursuing FAA certification for crewed/autonomous flight; comparable autonomy-certification journey and pilot-shortage thesis but focused on urban air mobility rather than fixed-wing cargo/tanker.
- Wisk Aero: Autonomous eVTOL company (Boeing subsidiary) pursuing FAA certification of self-flying aircraft; comparable autonomy-stack + certification playbook but distinct airframe category.
- Daedalean: AI/machine-learning autonomy software for crewed aircraft, pursuing EASA and FAA certification; competes in the same ML-for-aviation-certification lane as Merlin Pilot.
- Skydio: U.S. autonomous systems company (drones and autonomy for defense/public safety); overlaps with Merlin in defense autonomy procurement and AI-stack positioning rather than fixed-wing aviation.
Broad incumbents
- Northrop Grumman: Defense prime that is both a Merlin partner (Beacon testbed, Model 437 Vanguard integration) and a competitor as a prime contractor capable of in-housing autonomy for special-mission aircraft.
- GE Aerospace: Avionics and flight management systems incumbent with 14,000+ aircraft footprint; partnered with Merlin on Autonomy Core for KC-135 and could internalize autonomy over time, making it both a channel and a competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Merlin Labs social profiles
Digital presenceMerlin Labs compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Merlin Labs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Merlin Labs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Merlin Labs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors15 records
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Merlin Labs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Merlin Labs
What does Merlin Labs do?
Merlin Labs develops and sells the Merlin Pilot, an AI-powered autonomous flight system that operates aircraft from takeoff to touchdown with or without a human crew. The software is aircraft-agnostic, integrating sensor perception, machine-learning decision-making, deterministic safety logic, and natural language processing for ATC communication, and is designed for civil and military certification from day one. Supporting offerings include the Condor product family for large multi-crew aircraft and the FAA TSO-authorized Remote Data Concentrator (RDC) hardware component developed with Shadin Avionics.
Is Merlin Labs a public or private company?
Merlin Labs is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Merlin Labs founded?
Merlin Labs was founded in 2018. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Merlin Labs based?
Merlin Labs is headquartered in Boston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Merlin Labs make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. U.S. Defense Contracts are the primary driver. The others are commercial Cargo Autonomy, autonomy Platform Licensing and civil Certification Services.
Who are Merlin Labs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Shield AI, Reliable Robotics and Anduril Industries. Emerging players are Xwing, Joby Aviation, Wisk Aero, Daedalean and Skydio. Broad incumbents are Northrop Grumman and GE Aerospace.
Does Merlin Labs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Merlin Labs.
What industry is Merlin Labs in?
Merlin Labs's product category is Autonomous Aviation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAMAE, Military Avionics, Mission Computers & Flight Controls, with a secondary code of IMABAFAN, Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.