(San Carlos, CA) – Beacon AI has successfully completed its AFWERX contract to prototype and validate an advanced pilot assistance system designed for critical phases of flight. The project was conducted in collaboration with key U.S. Air Force stakeholders, including AFWERX, the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), and the 6th Air Refueling Wing.
San Carlos, California: Beacon AI, an aviation-intelligence startup headquartered in Silicon Valley, has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to adapt and flight-test its AI Copilot platform on Mobility Air Forces aircraft. The Other Transaction Authority (OTA) award, issued through the Department of the Air Force’s Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) program, combines $4M of DoD and private investment funding to integrate Beacon's cutting-edge technology into the fleet.
Air Mobility Command (AMC) operates over 1,000 airlift and aerial-refueling aircraft that support U.S. global reach operations. Crews routinely fly ultra-long haul missions that test human endurance and require split-second decisions in complex airspace. Beacon’s platform addresses these challenges through its Murdock AI Assistant and Lighthouse data platform.
Matt Cox, Beacon AI co-founder and CEO, added, “We designed Murdock to be adaptable across many aircraft types, and to work with any professional pilot, military or commercial. Partnering with AMC accelerates delivery of trustworthy AI assistance where it can make a difference to crews who fly the world’s toughest missions.”
Why It Matters
- Pilot Assistance First – This effort aligns technology with current needs in decision advantage and emerging requirements.
- Hardware-lite Integration – Designed for modular and open mission system architectures, minimizing aircraft changes and speeding fleet rollout.
- Safety and Readiness – Alerts crews and operations centers to emerging fatigue or environmental risks, giving greater situational advantage.
- Operational Efficiency – Context-aware software enables crews to handle complex tasks more effectively, reducing mistakes.
- Commercial Impact – Lessons from Mobility aircraft translate directly to the two-trillion-dollar global airline and cargo sector, positioning Beacon for dual-use growth.
- Requirements Development – AI pilot assistants are an inevitable part of the future of aviation. This effort will help inform the requirements.
About Beacon AI
Beacon AI is a California-based aviation software technology company specializing in developing advanced systems to augment commercial and defense pilots. Our AI pilot assistant is like R2-D2 for pilots. The company’s mission is to enhance the future of flight by making flight operations safer and more efficient. Beacon’s innovative solutions address the complex challenges faced by the aviation sector, backed by leading investors including Costanoa Ventures, Scout Ventures, Sam Altman through Apollo Projects and Hydrazine Capital, and JetBlue Ventures, Mischief, and guided by aviation industry advisors including Hon. Robert Sumwalt (former Chairman of the NTSB) and Ali Bahrami (former Associate Administrator of the FAA).
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces. With a workforce spanning across nine technology areas and 40 other operations around the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.
About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. Headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, AFWERX employs military, civilian and contractor personnel executing an annual $1.4 billion annual budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has awarded over 10,400 contracts worth more than $7.24 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit afwerx.com.
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