Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. After spending several years in the Pacific Northwest, she has returned to the Knoxville area.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

Textron Aviation and Merlin unveiled a concept on Monday for an autonomous cargo airplane based on the Cessna SkyCourier, proposing to replace the cockpit with a nose cargo door and hand flying duties to Merlin’s autonomy software.
So far, the Cessna SkyCourier UX exists as a design study and a model on the show floor at the Air &amp; Space Forces Association’s Air, Space &amp; Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. The companies have not named a customer or set a timeline for building one.
Boston-based Merlin would supply Merlin Pilot, the autonomous flight system it has flown on Cessna Caravans and Beechcraft King Airs. Textron Aviation would supply the airframe, a turboprop twin that the FAA certified in 2022 and FedEx feeder on short cargo routes, among other roles.
Design objectives call for roughly 6,000 pounds of cargo, three LD3 containers—the standard boxes airlines load into an airplane’s lower hold—and takeoffs and landings from unpaved strips with nobody on board. Those figures match the crewed SkyCourier freighter already in service. The partners said they are also studying kneeling gear and built-in loading systems, predicting that the airplane would fill a gap between small cargo drones and military transports too large for the job.
“Military planners are increasingly focused on how to sustain forces across distributed and contested operational environments,” said Textron Aviation v-p of defense and special mission sales Bob Gibbs. “The Cessna SkyCourier UX concept reflects our commitment to examining practical solutions to real-world mission challenges by leveraging real, certified products with innovative adaptation.”
“The future of contested logistics needs more capacity and access to places we wouldn’t risk a crew,” added Merlin founder and CEO Matt George. “Merlin Pilot has already flown hundreds of autonomous flights on Cessna Caravans, Beechcraft King Airs, and other aircraft. This concept pairs Merlin Pilot with a proven platform, the SkyCourier, to explore what an aircraft could look like when it’s designed around autonomy and cargo instead of a crew. Solving contested logistics today takes proven autonomy and a proven airframe.”
Building on a certified airplane already in production gives the concept an established manufacturing base and support network, Textron Aviation said.
On the commercial side, Merlin <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2026-05-18/merlin-introduces-condor-autonomy-platform-large-freighters">introduced its Condor product family</a> in May and framed it as software that flies alongside pilots rather than replacing them. The SkyCourier UX would carry no pilot.
Autonomy software Merlin is building for U.S. Special Operations Command C-130J transports <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2026-06-05/merlins-autonomous-c-130j-passes-critical-design-review">passed a critical design review</a> in June under a contract worth up to $105 million. In August, Merlin said New Zealand’s regulator had <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2026-08-14/merlin-clears-certification-hurdle-ai-cockpit">accepted its testing evidence</a> for the flight control computer and the software that talks to controllers. <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2026-07-31/iai-joins-merlins-push-automate-cargo-aircraft">Israel Aerospace Industries agreed in July</a> to pursue autonomous freighter conversions with Merlin.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Textron Aviation, Merlin Unveil Uncrewed SkyCourier Concept

Design study swaps the cockpit for a nose cargo door

Textron Aviation and Merlin unveiled a concept for an autonomous cargo airplane based on the Cessna SkyCourier.

Textron, Merlin Unveil Uncrewed SkyCourier Concept

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The U.S. defense group displayed a UAS model at the Air & Space Forces Association conference

Lockheed Martin Will Build Four Vectis Drone Prototypes

U.S. Air Force is seeking a more affordable replacement for MQ-9A Reapers

Swarm Pitches Gamera for New U.S. Drone Requirements

David Donald

The new drone has a target price well below that of the current MQ-9A

GA-ASI Aims Wildfire at Reaper Replacement

Second-generation SiCore battery cells reach 500 Wh/kg

Amprius Batteries Boost Energy for Long-endurance Drones

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Remotely piloted R44 helicopter landed on an offshore-style deck at a Louisiana airport

Robinson Unmanned R44 Airtruck Flies Offshore Cargo Demos

Charlotte Bailey

MQ-9B-mounted radar could complement piloted GlobalEye assets

Saab Fields Interest In LoyalEye Surveillance System

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

In this article

Cessna SkyCourier 408

Merlin

Textron Aviation

More In Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Lockheed Martin Will Build Four Vectis Drone Prototypes

The U.S. defense group displayed a UAS model at the Air & Space Forces Association conference

Swarm Pitches Gamera for New U.S. Drone Requirements

U.S. Air Force is seeking a more affordable replacement for MQ-9A Reapers

GA-ASI Aims Wildfire at Reaper Replacement

The new drone has a target price well below that of the current MQ-9A

Amprius Batteries Boost Energy for Long-endurance Drones

Second-generation SiCore battery cells reach 500 Wh/kg

Robinson Unmanned R44 Airtruck Flies Offshore Cargo Demos

Remotely piloted R44 helicopter landed on an offshore-style deck at a Louisiana airport

Saab Fields Interest In LoyalEye Surveillance System

MQ-9B-mounted radar could complement piloted GlobalEye assets

Elroy Air, Bristow Fly Autonomous Freighter in Louisiana

Hybrid-electric Chaparral drone makes first uncrewed eIPP flights

Saab Details Plans For Future Fighter Tech Demonstrators

At air force show, the company displayed mock-up of autonomous collaborative platform

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN