Merlin Labs, a company specializing in autonomous flight software, is set to go public through a merger with Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp., valuing the company at $800 million. The move positions Merlin as a pioneering publicly traded prime contractor in the autonomous flight sector.
Merger with Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp.: A Path to the Public Market
The deal involves a merger with Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) backed by Inflection Point Asset Management. Bleichroeder will raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO) and use those funds to acquire Merlin, taking the company public.
Transaction Expected to Close in Early 2026
The transaction is slated to close in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. Inflection Point and other investors have committed $125 million in capital, with $78 million funded upon signing the business combination agreement.
„The Operating System of Record for Aircraft”: Merlin’s Vision
„We’re taking Merlin public to deliver the world’s first defense-grade autonomy stack and advance towards delivering the operating system of record for aircraft big and small,” said Matt George, Merlin’s CEO and founder. He added that going public will allow the company to „double down on our existing customers, expand the volume and types of platforms we support, and accelerate our revenue growth.”
The „Merlin Pilot”: An Autonomous AI Pilot for Defense and Civil Aircraft
Merlin is developing the „Merlin Pilot,” an autonomous AI pilot designed to operate defense and civil planes, rotorcraft, and drones. The company has secured multiple contracts with the Defense Department to integrate and test the Merlin Pilot on aircraft like the C-130J and KC-135 tanker.
Partnership with Northrop Grumman: Testing Autonomous Flight on the Model 437 Vanguard
Merlin has partnered with Northrop Grumman to test the Merlin Pilot on the Model 437 Vanguard aircraft, built by Northrop subsidiary Scaled Composites, through a program known as Beacon.
