Highlights
C-130J SOCOM IDIQ
Sole-source IDIQ H9240824D0001 (“Automated Crew & Workload”), signed 7 Jun 2024. Ceiling $105M; ordering period through 6 Apr 2029 on the award record. About $15.96M obligated on the PDR/CDR order (H9240824F0010); that order’s period of performance ended 31 Jul 2026. Stages 3–7 were unfunded as of the 13 May 2026 prospectus. Remaining performance obligations at 30 Jun 2026 were $593 thousand. (USAspending IDIQ · PDR/CDR order · prospectus 13 May 2026 · 10-Q)
KC-135 + GE Aerospace
Merlin has described progress integrating on the KC-135 with the U.S. Air Force, and a 23 Sep 2025 joint release with GE Aerospace on an “autonomy core” collaboration naming the KC-135 Center Console Refresh as the first teaming opportunity. The prospectus says the teaming agreement runs 36 months and ends in 2028 unless extended. (GE/Merlin PR 23 Sep 2025 · prospectus)
SkyCourier UX with Textron
On 14 Sep 2026, Textron Aviation and Merlin introduced a Cessna SkyCourier UX concept at Air, Space & Cyber. Design objectives cited (~6,000 lb payload, up to three LD3 containers) are design objectives for a concept aircraft. Merlin 14 Sep 2026 · Merlin 18 Sep 2026
MDA SHIELD
Multi-award IDIQ with a $500 initial order; $151B is the shared vehicle ceiling (not Merlin-specific). IDV dated 3 Dec 2025. Active on paper. (USAspending)
Full partnerships and contracts table
Statuses reflect the public record as of 5 Oct 2026. Ceiling dollars are vehicle ceilings unless stated as obligated.
| Partner | Type | Aircraft / scope | Value | Date | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USSOCOM | Sole-source IDIQ (SBIR Phase III) | C-130J | $105M ceiling; ~$16M obligated on design orders | 7 Jun 2024 – 6 Apr 2029 | Active vehicle | USAspending |
| MDA SHIELD | Multi-award IDIQ | Not platform-specific | $500 initial order; $151B is the shared vehicle ceiling | IDV 3 Dec 2025 | Active on paper | USAspending |
| AFWERX / AFRL | Direct-to-Phase II OTA (Apollo) | Early autonomy stack | ~$9.1M ceiling / ~$7.1M obligated | Awarded 2 Aug 2019; completed ~1 Jun 2023 | Completed | Federal Compass |
| USAF / AMC / AFMC | Multi-year agreement | KC-135 | Not stated | Announced 12 Feb 2024 | Active | Merlin |
| USAF / AFWERX | CRADA | Contingency management | Not stated | 22 Oct 2025 | Active | Business Wire |
| GE Aerospace | Exclusive teaming | KC-135 CCR first opportunity | Not disclosed | 23 Sep 2025; term to 2028 | Active | GE PR · prospectus |
| Northrop Grumman | MOA (Beacon) | Model 437 Vanguard testbed | Not disclosed | 30 Jul 2025; term to Jul 2027 | Active | Merlin · prospectus |
| Honeywell | MOU (Anthem) | Military fixed-wing initially | Not disclosed | 17 Oct 2024 | Quiet since announcement | Honeywell |
| Textron Aviation | Concept aircraft | Cessna SkyCourier UX | Not disclosed | 14 Sep 2026 | Concept / studies | Textron |
| Remah International (UAE) | Exclusive teaming | Platform TBD | Not disclosed | 23 Apr 2026 | Scoping | GlobeNewswire |
| Lockheed Martin; Sierra Nevada | Named integration partners | Phase 2 Integrate model | N/A | Prospectus 2026 | Named in filing | prospectus |
| Shadin Avionics | Hardware / FAA TSO | Remote Data Concentrator | Not disclosed | 19 Mar 2025 | TSO issued | Merlin |
| Dynamic Aviation | Fleet partnership | 55 King Airs | Not disclosed | 26 May 2021 | Quiet since announcement | PR Newswire |
| Ameriflight | Fleet autonomy agreement | Cargo fleet | Not disclosed | 10 Dec 2021 | Quiet since announcement | PR Newswire |
| World Star Aviation | Non-binding MOU | Condor / Part 25 freighters | Not disclosed | Highlighted 14 May 2026 | Non-binding | GlobeNewswire |
| Israel Aerospace Industries | Non-binding MOU | Part 25 cargo / Condor | Not disclosed | 23 Jul 2026 | MOU | Merlin |
| Quikjet | Research collaboration | Pilot fatigue study | Not disclosed | 18 Feb 2025 | Study announced | Merlin |
| Ngai Tahu / Air Kaikoura | Freight ops | Cessna Caravan | Not disclosed | 2024 season; blog 13 May 2025 | Ops narrative; post-pivot status unclear | Merlin |
| FAA BAA (Alaska) | Definitive contract | Cessna 208B; UAF ACUASI | $969,000 | 2022–2023 | Completed | USAspending |
| Texas eIPP / TxDOT NEXUS | Invited demonstration | Demo at Perot Field | N/A | 10 Sep 2026 | Demo completed | Merlin |