Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Autonomous flight control system developer Merlin is preparing to raise capital through an initial public offering by combining its business with Bleichroeder, a special-purpose acquisition company. The U.S. start-up said on August 15 that it aims to complete the transaction on the Nasdaq stock market in early 2026 and expects to raise up to $385 million.
Merlin’s objective is to become a leading contractor converting military aircraft to autonomous operations using its Merlin Pilot system. It has a $105 million contract from the U.S. Special Operations Command to integrate the system in the C-130J aircraft, and a similar agreement with the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-11-12/usaf-approves-merlins-airworthiness-plan-autonomous-kc-135">U.S. Air Force</a> covering the KC-135 refueling platform.
Last month, Northrop Grumman said it plans to use Merlin Pilot for its Beacon testbed for defense-related autonomous flight solutions. This <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-07-31/northrop-grumman-and-merlin-partner-autonomous-flight">project</a> uses a Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard demonstration aircraft to evaluate the technology.
Merlin is also engaged in a partnership with <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-10-18/honeywell-and-merlin-will-merge-autonomous-technology-anthem">Honeywell</a> to integrate autonomous systems with the Anthem avionics suite for multiple aircraft types. It has been conducting flight tests with the Merlin Pilot platform in <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-04-04/merlin-wins-part-145-approval-new-zealand">New Zealand</a> using a Cessna Caravan aircraft for cargo operations.
Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp. (BAC), which is backed by Inflection Point Asset Management, said it intends to file an S-4 registration form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and it submitted a <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2028707/000121390025076135/0001213900-25-076135-index.htm">Form 425 Prospectus</a> on August 13. Announcing the IPO, the companies said the deal gives <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-04-11/merlin-accelerates-autonomous-flight-development-simulator">Merlin</a> a pre-money valuation of $800 million, but did not explain the basis for this assessment. They said that more than $125 million has been committed in PIPE capital, of which $78 million comes from BAC.
According to Merlin, its motivation for going public is to deliver “the first defense-grade autonomy stack and scale it across all forms of aviation, from small drones to civil aircraft to the world’s largest planes.” In a blog published on August 14, Merlin CEO Matt George warns that Chinese companies are making faster progress with autonomous systems than their U.S. rivals.
“Today, the U.S. risks falling behind as its industrial base fractures between niche R&amp;D that can’t scale and legacy primes stretched thin across hundreds of programs,” he stated. Boston-based Merlin has been testing its autonomous flight technology since 2019.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Autonomous Flight Pioneer Merlin Seeks Capital through SPAC-backed IPO

Merlin is combining its business with a special-purpose acquisition company called Bleichroeder

Merlin says it can raise up to $385 million through a Nasdaq initial public offering in early 2026 to support bringing its autonomous flight systems to market.

Autonomous Flight Pioneer Merlin Seeks Capital through IPO

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

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News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

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

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