---
title: "Merlin Stock Soars After The Close: Here's Why"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/288776973.md"
description: "Merlin Inc (NASDAQ:MRLN) shares surged over 20% in after-hours trading following the announcement that it completed the critical design review for its C-130J autonomy program with the U.S. Special Operations Command. This milestone advances the project from design development to aircraft integration and formal testing, validating the company's AI-powered autonomous flight architecture for large military aircraft."
datetime: "2026-06-04T21:09:35.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/288776973.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/288776973.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/288776973.md)
---

# Merlin Stock Soars After The Close: Here's Why

**Merlin Inc** (NASDAQ:MRLN) shares are rising in extended trading on Thursday after the company announced it completed the critical design review for its C-130J autonomy program.

-   **Merlin stock is surging to new heights today. What’s fueling MRLN momentum?**

## **Merlin Completes Critical Design Review**

Merlin announced the successful completion of the critical design review for its C-130J autonomy program with the U.S. Special Operations Command, advancing the company from design development into aircraft integration activities.

The autonomous flight company said the milestone allows the program to enter a structured formal test campaign.

“Completing the Critical Design Review validates the architecture we’ve built for safe, scalable autonomy on large aircraft like the C-130J,” said **Matt George**, founder and CEO of Merlin.

“We are grateful for USSOCOM’s partnership and guidance in this effort as CDR is another important step in demonstrating that our system meets the rigorous standards required for our USG customers’ real-world deployment.”

Merlin went public in March via SPAC merger with **Inflection Point Acquisition Corp IV.** The company develops AI-powered autonomous flight software and systems for aircraft.

## **MRLN Shares Move Higher After The Close**

**MRLN Price Action:** Merlin shares were up 20.61% in after-hours, trading at $8.66 at the time of publication on Thursday, per Benzinga Pro.

**Read Also: Jamie Dimon Pitches SpaceX IPO To 2,500 Wealthy JPMorgan Clients Thursday**

_Image: Shutterstock.com_

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