Merlin Adds Two Former Air Force Leaders to Federal Advisory Board

Two former Department of the Air Force leaders have joined the federal advisory board of autonomous flight technology company Merlin.

According to Matt George, co-founder and CEO of Merlin, retired Maj. Gen. Kyle Kremer and Preston Dunlap bring extensive experience that will support the progression and commercialization of the Merlin Pilot automated flight control system.

Kremer previously held the role of director of strategy, plans, requirements and programs at Air Mobility Command. His responsibilities included leading future air mobility capability and employment concept development.

Dunlap, a past Potomac Officers Club event speaker, was selected as the first chief technology officer and chief architect officer for the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, Merlin said. As CTO and CAO, he oversaw over $74 billion worth of research, development and acquisition programs. Dunlap, who also previously served four defense secretaries, resigned from DAF in April 2022 after three years of service.

According to the former chief architect, working with Merlin’s CEO and technologists is an honor, citing the company’s focus on deploying autonomous technologies.

In April, Merlin secured a $1 million contract from the Federal Aviation Administration to demonstrate Merlin Pilot during flight trials in an Alaska test site.