The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has awarded a $105 million contract to Merlin to build virtually autonomously operated C-130J Super Hercules transports. Although the description of the resulting aircraft is that they have "reduced aircrew capability," one of the requirements for the contract is that they be able to fly takeoff to touchdown without human intervention. “The contract award marks a milestone in the collaboration between USSOCOM and Merlin, accelerating our ability to bring high levels of autonomy to a variety of fixed wing platforms to support the warfighter," said Merlin CEO Matt George in a news release.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/merlin-to-automate-c-130s-next