Policy/Cert
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Even in today’s increasingly interconnected world, rural and remote communities face logistical challenges in accessing essential goods. Geographical barriers, harsh weather conditions, and high transportation costs can create significant obstacles to obtaining fresh groceries, medicines, and other important necessities.
We believe highly automated flight systems are one tool that can aid in rural connectivity, offering solutions that are not only reliable but also sustainable. From delivering critical supplies in Alaska and beyond, to supporting land management in the United States, these innovations are reshaping how we think about access and logistics in remote areas.
Connecting Remote Communities
Only 20% of Alaska’s land is accessible by road, leaving air travel as the primary means of connecting many remote communities. For these areas, aviation is not just a convenience—it’s a lifeline. Planes deliver food, medicine, and other critical supplies to towns that might otherwise be isolated for weeks. However, this lifeline is not without challenges.
Weather in Alaska can be unpredictable and harsh. Mountains often obstruct runways, fog can roll in without warning, and icy conditions can halt flights altogether. These issues can delay deliveries, causing perishables to spoil or essential goods to arrive too close together to be usable. Additionally, air transport in these regions is costly, with goods like a pack of toilet paper exceeding $20 due to the high cost of shipping by air.
Highly automated flight systems, such as those developed by Merlin, offer a sustainable solution to these challenges. In 2023, Merlin partnered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, to demonstrate how automated aircraft can provide reliable, cost-effective cargo networks.
The use of satellite-based navigation systems like Required Navigational Performance (RNP), pioneered by Alaska Airlines, has already improved aviation reliability in the region. Building on this foundation, automated systems are the next leap forward, enabling safer and more efficient operations even in Alaska’s harshest environments.
New Zealand Connectivity
Merlin currently conducts operations in New Zealand, a country renowned for its aviation innovation and home to many remote communities heavily reliant on air transport. In these areas, highly automated aircraft are poised to revolutionize the delivery of perishable goods. With quicker turnaround times and reduced overhead costs, these systems ensure that fresh produce and essential supplies reach remote locations more efficiently. This technology not only enhances the reliability of supply chains but also bolsters the economic vitality of rural communities by making goods more affordable and accessible.
Supporting Land Management Across Vast Public Lands
Land management is another critical application for highly automated aircraft, particularly for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which oversees 245 million acres of public land across the United States. Staffing shortages have made this immense responsibility increasingly challenging, but autonomous systems offer a transformative solution. From monitoring wildlife populations and ecological conditions, to assessing wildfire risks, these systems could enhance BLM’s abilities to oversee an enormous land mass.
A Future of Resilience and Connectivity
Highly automated flight systems represent a future where no community is too remote and no terrain too challenging. Merlin’s work with fixed-wing autonomous aircraft is paving the way for a more connected and resilient world.
Learn how Merlin is Building Trust in Autonomous Aviation here