Merlin Labs Achieves C-130J Autonomy PDR with USSOCOM

Boston, Mass. - Merlin Labs, Inc., an aerospace and defense technology company, announced the successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for its C-130J autonomy program with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) on March 5, 2026. This significant milestone was communicated in a press release filed by Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. IV.

The PDR approval marks crucial technical progress towards a production-ready reduced aircrew capability for the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, a prime tactical transport for the U.S. military. The completion validates Merlin's preliminary integration design and airworthiness approach, paving the way for an immediate transition into the Critical Design stage, an essential step for achieving certification-grade autonomy.

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