Beacon AI, a startup based in San Carlos, California, has deployed its Murdock pilot assistant on active US Air Force refueling and transport aircraft. The system provides real-time support to flight crews by managing checklists, performance calculations, and route optimization.
The company, founded in 2021, has secured at least 13 contracts with the US Department of Defense. In January 2026, it announced a $4 million agreement with the Air Mobility Command to adapt its platform for airlift and refueling missions over a two-year period.
In April 2026, Beacon AI signed a $49.5 million contract with USSOCOM to implement its AI suite across more than 350 special operations and Air Force aircraft. This follows a $15 million Series A funding round completed in October 2024.
During operational testing in 2025, the platform demonstrated capabilities during taxi and landing phases. The system also successfully received an over-the-air software update during a flight, a feature developed under an earlier AFWERX contract to reduce operational downtime.
