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BACQ - Merlin Labs (Autonomous Aviation)
Posted on 10/23/25 at 9:10 pm
Posted on 10/23/25 at 9:10 pm
I want to officially put this stock on your radar though I’ve mentioned it a time or two in passing.
This is an AI aviation company that’s going public via SPAC in early 2026.
The business is pretty easy to understand. They want to fly planes autonomously. It’s a software company. They don’t own planes.
Partnership model: Merlin Labs collaborates with aviation companies like Dynamic Aviation to install its technology on existing aircraft fleets.
Focus on technology: The company's focus is on developing and selling the autonomous flight system itself.
No intention to be an airline: Merlin Labs has stated it has no intention of becoming an airline or operating planes itself, aiming instead to provide its services to other operators.
The stock ripped higher today closing at $12.75 on NEWS of a collaboration with the USAF. Merlin already has several govt contracts under its belt.
I jumped back in today with 200 shares, but it’s very early still. Less than 500 watchers on StockTwits is comical.
Unfortunately I sold my 1,860 rights/warrants yesterday
Merlin Labs
This is an AI aviation company that’s going public via SPAC in early 2026.
The business is pretty easy to understand. They want to fly planes autonomously. It’s a software company. They don’t own planes.
Partnership model: Merlin Labs collaborates with aviation companies like Dynamic Aviation to install its technology on existing aircraft fleets.
Focus on technology: The company's focus is on developing and selling the autonomous flight system itself.
No intention to be an airline: Merlin Labs has stated it has no intention of becoming an airline or operating planes itself, aiming instead to provide its services to other operators.
The stock ripped higher today closing at $12.75 on NEWS of a collaboration with the USAF. Merlin already has several govt contracts under its belt.
I jumped back in today with 200 shares, but it’s very early still. Less than 500 watchers on StockTwits is comical.
Unfortunately I sold my 1,860 rights/warrants yesterday
Merlin Labs
3
Posted on 10/23/25 at 9:18 pm to bayoubengals88
Contracts in place:
- July 2022: U.S. Air Force OTA Contract (value in tens of millions)
Agreement under Other Transaction Authority to develop and integrate Merlin Pilot autonomous flight technology into the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft for reduced crew operations.
- April 2023: FAA Contract ($1 million)
Award to demonstrate autonomous flight control system in Alaska-based trials for rural air cargo delivery, focusing on FAA certification of non-human pilot operations.
- February 2024: U.S. Air Force CRADA
Multi-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Air Mobility Command and Air Force Materiel Command to integrate Merlin Pilot on KC-135 Stratotanker for autonomous refueling demonstrations and next-generation capabilities.
- June 2024: U.S. Special Operations Command SBIR Phase III IDIQ Contract ($105 million, 5 years)**
Indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to design, test, integrate, and sustain advanced autonomy systems on C-130J Super Hercules for reduced aircrew, with expansion to broader SOF fixed-wing fleet.
October 23, 2025
- Merlin Labs Signs New CRADA with USAF: Boston-based Merlin announced a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Air Force to enhance autonomous flight technology. The partnership focuses on improving mission resilience in contested environments through human-machine teaming and advanced software, building on Merlin's prior USAF collaborations. This supports their upcoming public listing via merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp.
And Northrop (major defense contractor):
Merlin Labs' Agreement with Northrop Grumman
- July 30, 2025: Partnership Agreement for Beacon™ Testbed Integration
Non-monetary collaboration to integrate Merlin Pilot autonomous flight software into Northrop Grumman's Beacon™ ecosystem, a next-gen testbed unveiled in June 2025. Focuses on accelerating development, testing, and validation of autonomy capabilities on military aircraft like the Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard (modified for optional autonomy), aligning with U.S. government defense requirements. Supports Merlin's platform-agnostic strategy and reduces risks for uncrewed systems in contested environments, building on Merlin's USSOCOM C-130J and USAF KC-135 integrations.
- July 2022: U.S. Air Force OTA Contract (value in tens of millions)
Agreement under Other Transaction Authority to develop and integrate Merlin Pilot autonomous flight technology into the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft for reduced crew operations.
- April 2023: FAA Contract ($1 million)
Award to demonstrate autonomous flight control system in Alaska-based trials for rural air cargo delivery, focusing on FAA certification of non-human pilot operations.
- February 2024: U.S. Air Force CRADA
Multi-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Air Mobility Command and Air Force Materiel Command to integrate Merlin Pilot on KC-135 Stratotanker for autonomous refueling demonstrations and next-generation capabilities.
- June 2024: U.S. Special Operations Command SBIR Phase III IDIQ Contract ($105 million, 5 years)**
Indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to design, test, integrate, and sustain advanced autonomy systems on C-130J Super Hercules for reduced aircrew, with expansion to broader SOF fixed-wing fleet.
October 23, 2025
- Merlin Labs Signs New CRADA with USAF: Boston-based Merlin announced a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Air Force to enhance autonomous flight technology. The partnership focuses on improving mission resilience in contested environments through human-machine teaming and advanced software, building on Merlin's prior USAF collaborations. This supports their upcoming public listing via merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp.
And Northrop (major defense contractor):
Merlin Labs' Agreement with Northrop Grumman
- July 30, 2025: Partnership Agreement for Beacon™ Testbed Integration
Non-monetary collaboration to integrate Merlin Pilot autonomous flight software into Northrop Grumman's Beacon™ ecosystem, a next-gen testbed unveiled in June 2025. Focuses on accelerating development, testing, and validation of autonomy capabilities on military aircraft like the Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard (modified for optional autonomy), aligning with U.S. government defense requirements. Supports Merlin's platform-agnostic strategy and reduces risks for uncrewed systems in contested environments, building on Merlin's USSOCOM C-130J and USAF KC-135 integrations.
This post was edited on 10/23/25 at 9:23 pm
Posted on 10/24/25 at 5:30 am to bayoubengals88
Nice I’ll start a small position
Posted on 10/24/25 at 11:12 am to bayoubengals88
In!
Bayou lead us to the promised land
Bayou lead us to the promised land
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