TAMPA, Fla. – to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, KC-135 Stratotankers fly around the world refueling warplanes in the air, but one takeoff had a different purpose.

Engineers were on board from Merlin. It is a new technology, helped by artificial intelligencewhich could allow a plane to fly without a pilot. It is an autonomous flight system.

On-board sensors monitor the flight instruments, engines and environment around the aircraft. Use actuators like a pilot’s hands to pull yolks or switches.

READING: How Sarasota schools plan to use AI to keep students safe

“What makes Merlin unique is that you do the whole plan start to finish, push a button and hit go,” said Mark Ward, Merlin’s vice president of flight operations.

The company said autonomous flight with artificial intelligence will improve efficiency and safety for flight crew. It has been tested on smaller aircraft.

“We’re building a pilot that can move from different aircraft. It’s going to keep getting smarter. It’s going to learn as it goes, and that, in turn, is going to make the airway safer,” said Merlin team member Ashley Pelzek.

For starters, the Merlin could only replace the co-pilot, reducing crew size for efficiency.

MORE: Florida mother sues AI platform after son takes his own life after months of online chatter

On Tuesday, the Air Force accepted Merlin’s airworthiness plan for the KC-135. It’s a step towards fully testing an unmanned but high-tech flying tank.

Merlin is planning another round of testing, but it is not yet known where it will take place.

Follow the news on Fox 13:

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: