Regent Craft, the Rhode Island-based developer and manufacturer of all-electric seagliders, completed the first on-water tests of its first full-scale crewed seaglider.
The 12-passenger Viceroy seaglider prototype is 55ft long with a 65ft wingspan. It’s claimed to be the largest-ever all-electric flying machine and represents a novel mode of transportation.
The high-speed vessel operates exclusively over water in three modes — floating on the hull, foiling above the waves on hydrofoils, and flying in ground effect within one wingspan of the surface of the water.
Follwing maritime tradition, Regent christened the vessel – ‘Paladin’ – before lowering her into Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island.
Officially commencing sea trials, Regent test captains completed the first in a series of on-water tests that will culminate in the first human seaglider flight mid-year.
Regent Seaglider gallery
Sea trials followed months of rigorous sub-system testing of the critical onboard systems, including motors, batteries, electronics, mechanical systems, and vehicle control software.
“Stepping off the dock and onto the Viceroy seaglider prototype for the first time was surreal” said Mike Klinker, co-founder and CTO of Regent Craft.
“I felt honored to be in the cockpit as she left the dock for the first time and started sea trials. This was the first voyage of a vessel that is destined to transform mobility — the era of seagliders has begun.”
Since Regent’s founding in 2020, the company has made rapid progress toward market entry for the Viceroy seaglider.
“Sea trials are just the beginning,” said Billy Thalheimer, Regent co-founder and CEO.
“This is the first step toward delivering Viceroy seagliders around the world and fulfilling our global order book. Today, we’re one step closer to meeting what we have now validated as massive global market demand for seagliders.”
Market demand
Regent has built a global order book worth more than $9 billion across six continents, as well as developing partnerships across government offices, businesses, and community groups in coastal regions around the world.
Regent continues to advance its dual use mission with U.S. Marine Corps, continuing their partnership in developing the seaglider’s advanced maritime defence, logistics, and search-and-rescue capabilities.