<p><strong>Merlin, Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ:MRLN) shares are trading higher Friday after the company announced Thursday the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) for its C-130J autonomy program with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).</p>



<ul>
<li>Merlin shares are powering higher. What’s behind MRLN gains?</li>
</ul>



<h2>CDR Completion</h2>



<p>The CDR completion validates the system’s design readiness and advances Merlin from design development into aircraft integration activities. The milestone positions the program to enter a formal test campaign, including aircraft-level testing.</p>



<p>The review is part of Merlin’s previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract under its C-130J autonomy program with USSOCOM. The program is focused on reducing crew workload through all phases of flight, with potential expansion pathways across other Department of War or commercial aviation platforms.</p>



<p>“Completing the Critical Design Review validates the architecture we’ve built for safe, scalable autonomy on large aircraft like the C-130J,” said <strong>Matt George</strong>, CEO and founder of Merlin. “As we move into integration, ground testing, and eventually flight demonstrations, we’re focused on proving autonomy from takeoff to touchdown.”</p>



<h2><strong>Surge Reclaims 50-Day SMA, but Long-Term Damage Remains</strong></h2>



<p>At $9.37, the stock is trading 31.7% above its 20-day SMA ($7.44) and 5.5% above its 50-day SMA ($9.29), which is the first time in a while price is clearly reclaiming the intermediate trend line. The longer-term picture is still damaged, with shares trading 37% below the 100-day SMA ($15.56) and 49.8% below the 200-day SMA ($19.53).</p>



<p>The moving-average structure remains bearish overall—20-day SMA below the 50-day SMA, and the 50-day SMA below the 200-day SMA—so this premarket surge reads more like a counter-trend rally unless price can hold above the 50-day area after the open. A practical &#34;line in the sand&#34; is whether the stock can build acceptance above the $9.29–$9.37 zone instead of fading back into it.</p>



<p>MACD is the cleaner momentum lens right now: it's above its signal line and the histogram is positive, which points to improving upside momentum versus the prior downswing. In plain English, when MACD is above the signal line, it usually means sellers are losing control and buyers are starting to press again—even if the longer-term trend hasn't fully flipped.</p>



<p>April marked the recent swing high and also the 52-week high near $17.00, followed by a breakdown in May that pushed price to the 52-week low at $5.78. That May break below support is why the stock still has &#34;repair work&#34; overhead, and why rallies can run into supply as trapped holders look to exit.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Key Support</strong>: $8.50 — a nearby pivot zone that sits just below the 50-day area and could be the first spot buyers defend if the gap starts to fill</li>
</ul>



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<h2>Merlin Shares Advance</h2>



<p><strong>MRLN Price Action:</strong> At the time of publication, Merlin shares are trading 32.73% higher at $9.54, according to data from Benzinga Pro.</p>



<p><em>Image via Shutterstock</em></p>

MRLN

<p>Merlin Inc. (NASDAQ: MRLN) shares surged after completing the Critical Design Review for its C-130J autonomy program with USSOCOM, validating design readiness and advancing integration activities. The stock rose over 32% to $9.54, reclaiming short-term moving averages despite a bearish long-term trend.</p>

Merlin Clears Critical Design Review, Stock Rockets Higher