Textron Aviation and Merlin Introduce Cessna SkyCourier UX Concept Aircraft

Concept pairs FAA-certified Cessna SkyCourier with Merlin Pilot autonomy to explore a scalable, autonomous approach to sustaining dispersed forces when traditional logistics routes are constrained or unavailable.

Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and Merlin, Inc. today introduced a concept Cessna SkyCourier UX™ aircraft that combines Textron Aviation’s proven Cessna SkyCourier platform with Merlin’s aircraft-agnostic software solution for autonomous aviation. Revealed at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference, the concept explores a new cost-efficient and scalable approach to addressing logistical challenges with supplying forces dispersed across contested operational environments when traditional supply routes are constrained, vulnerable or otherwise unavailable.

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The Cessna SkyCourier UX concept explores autonomous resupply operations for dispersed forces operating in contested environments

“Military planners are increasingly focused on how to sustain forces across distributed and contested operational environments,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Defense and Special Mission Sales. “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.”

Addressing Evolving Sustainment Requirements

Introduced at the Air & Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference, SkyCourier UX responds to growing military interest in sustaining forces operating from dispersed locations across increasingly complex operational environments. Built on the twin-engine turboprop Cessna SkyCourier platform, the aircraft concept is designed to provide an additional option for transporting cargo and critical supplies across the final leg of distribution networks.

Defense organizations worldwide are evaluating new approaches to logistics resilience as forces operate farther from traditional supply hubs and adversaries gain greater ability to disrupt established transportation routes. Interest in contested logistics continues to grow as defense organizations evaluate how to sustain dispersed forces operating from austere locations and across extended distances. Recent experimentation involving autonomous and pilot-optional cargo aircraft, combined with investments in autonomous resupply programs, highlights increasing attention on logistics resilience and distributed sustainment.

The SkyCourier UX concept explores how a medium-payload, fixed-wing aircraft with the ability to fly autonomously could help address logistics requirements through right-sized lift, offering commanders additional options while adding flexibility and preserving the force's core mobility fleet. Designed to support cargo movement within a theater of operations, and with the ability to take off and land on unimproved runways, the SkyCourier UX could provide an option for sustaining operations when access becomes challenged.

Filling the Gap Between Drones and Airlifters

The Cessna SkyCourier UX aircraft concept is designed to occupy a space between small tactical cargo drones and large military transport aircraft. Not every logistics mission requires a large airlifter, and many autonomous cargo systems lack the payload capability required for operational sustainment missions. Leveraging the capabilities of the Cessna SkyCourier platform, the UX concept offers fully autonomous takeoff and landing alongside meaningful payload capacity, short-field performance and the flexibility needed to support intra-theater distribution and expeditionary operations.

Beyond autonomous flight operations, the concept explores how the absence of an onboard crew could enable new cargo aircraft configurations optimized for logistics missions. Design concepts under evaluation include a forward-loading cargo architecture that replaces traditional cockpit volume with additional cargo space and provides direct access through a large nose opening. Combined with aircraft kneeling capability and integrated loading systems, these concepts are intended to improve cargo accessibility, maximize usable volume and support efficient operations from austere locations.

“The future of contested logistics needs more capacity and access to places we wouldn’t risk a crew,” said Matt George, CEO and founder of Merlin. “Merlin Pilot™ has already flown hundreds of autonomous flights on Cessna Caravans, Beechcraft King Airs and other aircraft. This concept pairs it with a proven platform, the Cessna 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."

Ongoing work by Merlin will include engineering studies and evaluations aimed at building confidence in autonomous and pilot-optional resupply operations.

“By pairing a proven aircraft platform with autonomy technology, we're exploring new approaches to contested logistics operations while also examining how autonomy may enable more efficient cargo aircraft designs that increase usable volume, improve cargo accessibility and support mission sustainment requirements,” said Gibbs.

Leveraging a Proven Aircraft Foundation

Because it is based on an FAA-certified aircraft already in production, the platform benefits from an established manufacturing system, global support network and mature sustainment infrastructure. These advantages provide a practical foundation for evaluating future autonomous and pilot-optional logistics capabilities while leveraging existing aerospace infrastructure and industrial capacity to deliver at scale for the warfighter.

Based on current design objectives, the Cessna SkyCourier UX light lift aircraft would be capable of carrying approximately 6,000 pounds of payload, accommodating up to three LD3 cargo containers and operating from austere runways. Potential applications include hub-to-spoke distribution, sustainment of expeditionary bases, transportation of mission-critical repair parts, delivery of medical supplies and support for island and remote-airfield operations.

A model of the Cessna SkyCourier UX concept will be showcased publicly for the first time at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Booth #235.

About Textron Aviation
We inspire the journey of flight. For nearly 100 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft and Cessna brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight. For more information, visit www.txtav.com.

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.

About Textron
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders.

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