GE Aerospace and Merlin, a leader in assured autonomous flight technology for defense applications, announced a joint initiative to develop an advanced autonomy core platform. This next-generation system will deliver AI-enabled capabilities to both legacy and future aircraft, addressing growing global demand for reduced crew operations and fully uncrewed flight.
GE Aerospace’s Flight Management System (FMS) is currently deployed across more than 14,000 aircraft worldwide. Building on this foundation, the collaboration will integrate Merlin’s advanced autonomy software into GE’s proven avionics systems, creating a scalable, certifiable platform that reduces pilot workload and enables single-pilot operations (SPO). The autonomy core is envisioned as the system of record for high-assurance aerial platforms, supporting both defense and civil missions.
“At GE Aerospace we’re constantly working to find innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Working with Merlin, we’re able to combine our proven Flight Management System expertise and Modular Open System Architectures with Merlin’s autonomy software to unlock new capabilities that will redefine what’s possible for next-generation autonomous flight. This represents an important step forward in aviation autonomy,” said Matt Burns, general manager, Avionics Systems with GE Aerospace.
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The partnership brings together GE Aerospace’s extensive experience in flight management systems and open architectures with Merlin’s autonomy suite, avionics packages, and datalink solutions. Together, the companies will deliver a future-ready solution designed to accelerate the adoption of SPO and uncrewed operations across a wide range of aircraft platforms.
“Our national security relies heavily on our continued air power dominance, and integrated systems that allow for the use of autonomy-focused solutions are essential to that ongoing strength. GE Aerospace’s legacy of providing systems of record to commercial and government customers enables us to rapidly bring complementary capabilities to market,” said Matt George, CEO of Merlin. “By teaming with GE Aerospace, we are able to pair their open system architecture with Merlin’s autonomy capabilities to create and deliver the next generation of avionics systems, extending our work with existing customers, expanding the volume and types of platforms we support, and accelerating our revenue growth.”
The first application of the autonomy core will be in the KC-135 Center Console Refresh (CCR) program, a vital modernization effort aimed at replacing obsolete cockpit components and mitigating Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS). This work will ensure long-term sustainment and mission readiness for the U.S. Air Force’s refueling fleet. The initiative also builds on Merlin’s existing agreement with the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) to integrate autonomy into the KC-135, serving as an important step toward enabling uncrewed operations.