GE Aerospace Merlin Partner on Autonomous Flight for KC-135

Post by : Meena Rani

In a significant move for aviation innovation, GE Aerospace and Merlin have announced a collaboration aimed at advancing autonomous flight capabilities for both military and civil aircraft.

The partnership focuses initially on the KC-135 Stratotanker, the oldest aerial refueling aircraft still in service with the U.S. Air Force. As part of the Cockpit Component Refresh (CCR) program, the project will modernize the KC-135’s cockpit, addressing aging systems while integrating new autonomous features designed to reduce cockpit crew requirements.

KC-135: A Legacy Aircraft with a Modern Upgrade

The KC-135, operational for decades, remains a cornerstone of the U.S. Air Force’s refueling operations. Despite its age, its continued reliability has prompted investment in technological upgrades rather than replacement. The CCR program is intended to extend the service life of this iconic aircraft by updating obsolete cockpit systems, modernizing avionics, and preparing the aircraft for the integration of advanced autonomy capabilities.

“Although the KC-135 has been in service for decades, its operational reliability and versatility make it an ideal platform to test autonomous technologies that could redefine future aircraft operations,” said industry experts.

Combining Expertise: GE Aerospace and Merlin

The collaboration leverages GE Aerospace’s long-standing experience in flight management systems, which are installed in over 14,000 aircraft worldwide. GE’s expertise in Modular Open System Architectures (MOSA) ensures that the integration of autonomy features can be implemented efficiently and safely.

Merlin contributes its advanced autonomy software, enabling intelligent flight decision-making, enhanced safety protocols, and potentially reducing the need for multiple crew members. Together, the companies aim to create a platform capable of evolving into fully unmanned or optionally manned aircraft in the future.

Matt Burns, General Manager of Avionics Systems at GE Aerospace, highlighted the innovation potential:

“Working with Merlin, we’re able to combine our proven Flight Management System expertise with Merlin’s autonomy software to unlock new capabilities that will redefine what’s possible for next-generation autonomous flight.”

Strategic Implications for Military and Civil Aviation

The integration of AI-enabled autonomous systems is expected to influence both the military and civil aviation sectors. In military applications, the upgrades could enhance fleet flexibility, optimize crew deployment, and improve mission efficiency. Civil aviation could see similar benefits, particularly in reducing operational costs and enhancing safety through advanced flight management systems.

The USAF is also evaluating strategies to expand its tanker fleet, considering additional KC-46 orders or the development of a purpose-built replacement. The success of autonomous upgrades to the KC-135 may inform these decisions and set a benchmark for next-generation military aircraft.

Future of Autonomous Flight

The GE-Merlin initiative represents a broader trend in aviation, where AI and autonomy are increasingly central to operational planning and fleet management. While initial applications focus on upgrading existing aircraft, the technologies developed through this collaboration could underpin future unmanned systems across various aircraft types.

Experts note that the successful implementation of autonomous systems in legacy platforms like the KC-135 could accelerate adoption across the aerospace industry. This aligns with global interest in reducing human error, optimizing fuel efficiency, and enhancing mission readiness through advanced automation.

GE Aerospace and Merlin’s collaboration signals a critical step toward the next generation of autonomous flight. By modernizing a historic military aircraft, the partnership blends decades of operational expertise with cutting-edge AI technologies. The initiative not only extends the life of the KC-135 but also lays the foundation for future unmanned or optionally manned aircraft, influencing both civil and military aviation.

KC-135 Stratotanker, GE Aerospace, Merlin Autonomy, autonomous flight