USSOCOM and Merlin Labs Advance Autonomous C-130J Program with Successful Design Review AviationNews – The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and Merlin Labs have reached a pivotal milestone in military aviation, successfully completing the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for an autonomous flight system designed for the C-130J Super Hercules. This development marks a critical step in a five-year, $105 million contract awarded to Merlin Labs, which aims to integrate "reduced aircrew capability" into the Special Operations Forces' C-130J fleet.