Source: Merlin
Merlin Makes Progress Toward Autonomous Flight Certification for the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan.
Source: Merlin
Merlin Makes Progress Toward Autonomous Flight Certification for the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan.
By: Graham Warwick
October 28, 2025
U.S. startup Merlin has reached a significant milestone in developing its Merlin Pilot autonomous flight system, progressing toward certification in the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan as its first application.
Merlin announced it has achieved the second Stage of Involvement (SOI 2) milestone with the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand under its Caravan supplemental type certification program, which is on a concurrent validation path with the FAA.
SOI 2 is the second of four certification audit steps under the DO-178 airborne software standard. The company previously achieved SOI 1 in May 2023, when its planning documentation was accepted by the New Zealand regulator.
The SOI 2 development review marks the point at which around 50% of the software data for the flight control computer has been formally reviewed. This gives regulators “meaningful insight into how Merlin has been executing against the approved plans,” the company says.
Two stages remain in the DO-178 process — SOI 3 verification review and SOI 4 final compliance review. “Each stage of this process deepens regulator confidence, reduces program risk, and advances the Merlin Pilot toward certification,” said Tim Burns, Merlin’s Chief Technology Officer.
Separately, Merlin has signed a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Air Force to enhance the Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (AGRA), supporting advanced contingency management for next-generation uncrewed and collaborative air systems.
AGRA is a government-owned autonomy framework that is modular, adaptable, and uses open interfaces to ensure interoperability and reduce vendor lock. Through this CRADA, Merlin and the Air Force will explore methods for autonomous fault detection, recovery, and mission adaptation, enabling aircraft to better respond to unexpected events or system degradation.
In July, rival developer Reliable Robotics also signed a CRADA with the Air Force to align its commercial autonomous flight capabilities with AGRA, ensuring interoperability between civilian and military air traffic systems.
Advancing Autonomous Aviation
Source: Textron Aviation
Textron Aviation and Aeromot collaborate to develop an in-air openable jump/cargo door for the Cessna Caravan.
By: Textron Aviation
July 10, 2025
Textron Aviation, in collaboration with Aeromot Aeronaves e Motores S.A., has announced a Cooperation Agreement to develop an in-air openable jump/cargo drop door for the Cessna Caravan. The work will take place at Aeromot’s facility in Brazil.
Aeromot, a leading aeronautical technology company, will use technical and engineering data provided by Textron Aviation to pursue a Brazilian Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the new door installation, issued by ANAC (Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency).
The new door system is intended for in-air jump and cargo drop operations, and is expected to become a factory option for new-production Caravan aircraft upon certification. This capability will expand mission profiles such as skydiving, logistics support, and specialized airborne operations.
“Brazil is home to over 200 Cessna Caravans, ranging from commercial operators to the Brazilian Air Force and State Police units,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Missions Sales, Textron Aviation. “This development will enhance Caravan capability not only in Brazil but for the global fleet.”
The collaboration is also expected to support local jobs in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, where Aeromot is headquartered.
An Air Nation Group Company
Source: Textron Aviation
Cessna celebrates milestone with more than 3,100 aircraft delivered.
By: Wichita, Kan.
March 31, 2025
Textron Aviation announced it is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Cessna Caravan, marking four decades of global success for the iconic single-engine utility turboprop.
Since its introduction in 1985, the Caravan family has become one of the world’s most versatile aircraft, operating in remote areas, rugged environments, and demanding conditions—from water and backcountry strips to humanitarian missions and commercial service.
“Customers continue to select the Caravan because of its unmatched versatility,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. “Whether flying business, humanitarian operations, or remote adventures, the Caravan gets them there.”
More than 3,100 Caravan and Grand Caravan EX aircraft have been delivered, with certification in 100 countries and over 25 million flight hours accumulated worldwide.
The cockpit now features Garmin’s G1000 NXi avionics suite, and a brighter, modernized flight deck is expected to enter service in 2025. Textron Aviation remains committed to evolving the platform to meet the needs of pilots and operators across the globe.
Originally conceived as a rugged, low-cost workhorse, the Caravan continues to excel in government, military, law enforcement, air ambulance, cargo, and humanitarian missions.
An Air Nation Group Company
Source: Radio Free Asia
The Z-9 routinely operates from Chinese warships.
U.S. operator will convert Grand Caravan EX aircraft to hybrid-electric propulsion
By: Greg Waldron
February 18, 2025
A Chinese navy Harbin Z-9 helicopter conducted a dangerous intercept of a Philippine government Cessna 208B Caravan over the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
The Z-9 reportedly approached within 3m (10 ft) of the Caravan, which was carrying journalists from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The close passes occurred twice on the aircraft’s left side, according to officials quoted by Radio Free Asia.
In video posted online, the Caravan’s pilot can be heard warning the Z-9 that it was too close and endangering the aircraft’s crew and passengers. The helicopter persisted for nearly 30 minutes, at one point photographing the Caravan and ordering it to leave the area.
The incident comes just a week after another unsafe Chinese intercept involving a PLA Air Force J-16 fighter and an Australian P-8A maritime patrol aircraft.
Chinese military aircraft have a long history of aggressive intercepts in international airspace, though such encounters reportedly decreased after diplomatic discussions in 2023.
The intercepted Caravan was assembled in China through a joint venture between Cessna and China Aviation Industry General Aircraft. It previously served with Hai Au Aviation before being acquired by the Philippine BFAR in 2023.
The Z-9, based on the Airbus AS365 Dauphin, is commonly used aboard Chinese warships for reconnaissance, strike missions, and anti-submarine warfare.
An Air Nation Group Company
