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

Completed design reviews move the program into integration, with cybersecurity approval and airworthiness acceptance still ahead.

Rhea-AI Summary

Merlin (MRLN) received an $8.9 million task order to advance its C-130J autonomy program with U.S. Special Operations Command.

Following completed preliminary and critical design reviews, Merlin is executing the next phase of Merlin Pilot integration and validation preparation ahead of future flight demonstrations. Work includes flight control tuning, crew-interaction evaluations, failure testing and simulated flight-test dry runs before aircraft installation. The task order also covers ground test preparation, cybersecurity approval and airworthiness acceptance. Government review of test and safety documentation and work toward an Interim Authorization to Test remain part of the path to testing.

3 points · 0 major

PositiveiHow this balance works

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How the balance worksHow Sentiment works

0 major · 2 points

Hollow bars mark forward-looking points. How the balance works

Positive

• Moderate point$8.9 million task order awarded for Merlin’s next C-130J autonomy phase with USSOCOM. 8.9% of market cap
• Minor pointPreliminary and critical design reviews completed, establishing milestones before the current integration phase.
• Minor pointIntegration and validation work underway includes flight control tuning, crew-interaction evaluations, failure testing and simulated dry runs.

Negative

• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Cybersecurity approval and airworthiness acceptance remain work items supporting future flight demonstrations.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Government review of test and safety documentation is required ahead of ground testing.

Key Figures

Task order value: $8.9 million

Task order value

$8.9 million

Next phase of the C-130J autonomy program with USSOCOM

Historical Context

1 past event · Latest: Sep 09

1 event

1. Sep 09

   C-130J certification strategy

   24h Move

   -7.4%

   Completed preliminary and critical design reviews on the C-130J program before this next task-order phase.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

preliminary design review, critical design review, flight control law, interim authorization to test

4 terms

preliminary design review technical

"completion of its Preliminary Design Review (PDR)"

Preliminary design review is a formal assessment early in the development of a product, system, or project where engineers present initial designs to confirm they meet key requirements and can proceed to detailed work. For investors, it matters because passing this milestone reduces technical and schedule risk—like getting approval for a building’s blueprints before construction—making it more likely the project will stay on time and budget and improving prospects for future funding or revenue.

critical design review technical

"and Critical Design Review (CDR)"

A critical design review (CDR) is a formal, high‑level assessment where engineers and independent reviewers confirm a product or system’s detailed plans meet required performance, safety and regulatory needs before committing to full-scale production or implementation. For investors it signals reduced technical and schedule risk—like approving a final blueprint before construction—so passing a CDR often increases confidence in a project’s timeline, budget predictability and likelihood of commercial success.

flight control law technical

"through flight control law tuning"

A flight control law is the set of software rules and algorithms in an aircraft’s flight control system that translates pilot commands and sensor data into commands for the control surfaces and engines. It determines how inputs (stick/yoke, pedals, autopilot) are interpreted, can include protections (limits on attitude, speed, or load) and different operating modes (for example normal, alternate, or direct) that change how much processing or augmentation the system applies. The term refers to the control logic itself, not the physical actuators or pilot controls, and changes to a flight control law alter how the aircraft responds rather than its mechanical components.

interim authorization to test regulatory

"required for an Interim Authorization to Test (IATT)"

A temporary regulatory permission that allows a company to conduct controlled testing, performance evaluations, or limited clinical use of a medical product (often a diagnostic test or device) within a jurisdiction while the regulator reviews supporting data. It typically comes with conditions—such as restricted settings, reporting requirements, time limits, and oversight—and does not constitute full market approval or broad authorization for general commercial use. The authorization is intended to let regulators collect real‑world data or let developers complete validation work before a final decision is made.

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The newly awarded task order takes Merlin Pilot through integration and validation preparation on the path to flight demonstrations

BOSTON, Nov. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merlin, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRLN), an aerospace and defense technology company building the operating system of record for autonomous flight, today announced it was awarded a new task order worth $8.9 million for the next phase of its C-130J autonomy program with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Following the completion of its Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR), Merlin is now executing on its next task order, which includes system integration, ground test preparation, cybersecurity approval, and airworthiness acceptance to support future flight demonstrations.

“This task order brings us closer to demonstrating how Merlin Pilot can reduce the demands on C-130J aircrews and expand the operational capacity of the aircraft,” said Matt George, CEO and Founder, Merlin. “As government demand for autonomy grows, the priority is delivering capabilities that can be integrated into existing fleets and trusted in demanding operational environments. This next phase puts our design to the test, validating how the system performs, how crews interact with it, and how it responds in off-nominal conditions. Through our work with USSOCOM, we’re building a path from autonomy development to practical mission capability, giving aircrews greater support and commanders more flexibility in how they employ their aircraft.”

Merlin’s C-130J autonomy development program is designed to potentially reduce crew workload across all phases of flight. This next task order advances system integration and validation through flight control law tuning, human factors evaluations, failure mode testing, and simulated flight-test dry runs to verify system behavior and readiness before aircraft installation. It also includes updating test plans, procedures, verification matrices, and safety assessments for Government review ahead of ground testing; advancing the cybersecurity assessment and documentation required for an Interim Authorization to Test (IATT); and delivering an updated airworthiness plan to support flight test demonstrations. The completion of these milestones moves the program closer to demonstrating those capabilities on the C-130J aircraft.

About Merlin

Merlin is an aerospace and defense technology company building the operating system of record for autonomous flight. Through a first-principles approach, the company is redefining what’s possible across aviation, aerospace, and defense with the goal of delivering full-stack autonomy for any aircraft, military or civilian, from takeoff to touchdown. The Merlin Pilot system powers a growing range of aircraft and mission profiles, proven through hundreds of autonomous flights from test facilities across the globe. With $100M+ total in IDIQ contract ceiling value under its C-130J autonomy program with USSOCOM, Merlin is advancing American leadership in autonomous aviation. To learn more, visit www.merlinlabs.com or follow us on X @merlinaero.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding: the scope, timing, and anticipated outcomes of our work under the task order; the potential for Merlin Pilot to reduce crew workload, expand the operational capacity of the C-130J, and provide greater support to aircrews and flexibility to commanders; the anticipated demand for autonomy among government customers; and our ability to integrate our technology into existing fleets. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, assumptions, and projections about future events and trends. These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including without limitation the risks and uncertainties detailed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” of our final prospectus, dated May 13, 2026, filed with the SEC on May 13, 2026, and our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are available from the SEC. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

Media Contacts
Kristen Georgette
617-842-6064
merlin@pluckpr.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/34e181f0-718e-4216-8331-3633d86acd74

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What is Merlin’s $8.9 million USSOCOM task order for?

The $8.9 million task order funds the next phase of Merlin’s C-130J autonomy program with USSOCOM. It covers system integration, ground test preparation, cybersecurity approval and airworthiness acceptance to support future flight demonstrations.

Has Merlin completed the design reviews for its C-130J autonomy program?

Merlin has completed both the Preliminary Design Review and Critical Design Review. The company is now executing the next task order, which advances integration and validation preparation before aircraft installation and future flight demonstrations.