Merlin Demonstrates Autonomous Flight Capabilities at Texas Department of Transportation Project NEXUS eIPP Kickoff Event
Merlin showcased how autonomy can support safer, more efficient aviation operations
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BOSTON, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Merlin, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRLN), an aerospace and defense technology company building the operating system of record for autonomous flight, today participated as an invited guest in the kickoff event for the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), alongside eIPP partners Joby Aviation, BETA Technologies, and other industry leaders. TxDOT launched Project NEXUS at the Alliance Airport with multiple industry flight demonstrations and participation from Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, along with many senior transportation and congressional leaders at the federal and state level.
TxDOT invited Merlin to the event as a supporting participant, enabling Merlin to demonstrate core capabilities of its AI-powered autonomy platform, the Merlin Pilot™, including autonomous takeoff and landing, AI-powered Air Traffic Control communications, and dynamic autonomous in-flight re-planning and threat avoidance. The demonstration, narrated by CEO and founder, Matt George, showcased how the Merlin Pilot can safely and effectively perform responsibilities traditionally managed by human pilots, supporting TxDOT’s efforts to progress Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technologies that could enable faster, more efficient, and potentially more sustainable ways to transport people and goods.
Merlin’s participation in the event builds on the company’s ongoing work around the world with aviation regulators and government customers to develop, test, and eventually certify autonomy across both civil and military aircraft. By participating in events such as the Project NEXUS kickoff, Merlin is helping demonstrate how autonomy can predictably operate in the United States National Airspace System (NAS), while reducing pilot workload, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing safety.
“Safely integrating advanced air mobility into the National Airspace System requires close collaboration among industry, regulators, and government leaders,” said Tim Burns, Chief Technology Officer at Merlin. “The Project NEXUS kickoff provides an important forum for that work, and we were pleased to have the opportunity to demonstrate how Merlin Pilot can safely execute critical flight responsibilities traditionally managed by human pilots. Events like this help generate the real world operational data and shared understanding needed to move autonomy as well as other next generation technologies from development toward safe deployment at scale.”
TxDOT’s Project NEXUS was selected for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) eIPP earlier this year. The multi-state initiative brings together Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and the Choctaw Nation to help advance the safe integration of AAM into the NAS. Project NEXUS will provide the FAA and the broader federal government with a diverse operational environment in which to evaluate emerging technologies and use cases.
About Merlin
Merlin is an aerospace and defense technology company building the operating system of record for autonomous flight. Through a first-principles approach, the company is redefining what’s possible across aviation, aerospace, and defense with the goal of delivering full-stack autonomy for any aircraft, military or civilian, from takeoff to touchdown. The Merlin Pilot system powers a growing range of aircraft and mission profiles, proven through hundreds of autonomous flights from test facilities across the globe. With $100M+ total in IDIQ contract ceiling value under its C-130J autonomy program with USSOCOM, Merlin is advancing American leadership in autonomous aviation. To learn more, visit www.merlinlabs.com or follow us on X @merlinaero.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding: the anticipated outcomes, timing, and scope of TxDOT’s Project NEXUS and the FAA’s eVTOL and Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program (eIPP); Merlin’s expectations regarding the capabilities, performance, and applications of the Merlin Pilot autonomy platform; and the anticipated benefits and future development of Merlin’s autonomous flight technology generally. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, assumptions, and projections about future events and trends. These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including without limitation the risks and uncertainties detailed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” of our final prospectus, dated May 13, 2026, filed with the SEC on May 13, 2026, and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, filed with the SEC on August 13, 2026. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.
Media Contacts
Kristen Georgette
617-842-6064
merlin@pluckpr.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/22b52767-de3f-4992-b235-4763e844d840
