Company advances full-scale Viceroy Seaglider prototype and Squire Seaglider drone testing while scaling toward commercial production in Rhode Island.
REGENT, the developer and manufacturer of SeagliderTM vessels, today announced the start of its 2026 test campaign as the company continues testing its Viceroy Seaglider prototype and autonomous Squire Seaglider drone. The campaign marks an important step toward bringing a new category of high-speed maritime mobility to market for commercial and defense applications.
REGENT is actively testing its full-scale Viceroy Seaglider prototype, a 12-passenger electric vessel designed to operate over water in float, foil, and flight modes, at its headquarters in North Kingstown, R.I. The company is continuing its hydro foiling campaign and progressing toward first flight with humans on board this year.
Across the broader program, REGENT is also continuing to test and optimize Squire, its autonomous Seaglider drone, validating systems, controls, and operational envelopes step by step through an ongoing test campaign.
Following a winter focused on design improvements, data review, and simulation, REGENT has entered 2026 with a comprehensive testing effort spanning both on-water operations and simulation-based development. These efforts are helping the company further refine vehicle performance, de-risk operations, and accelerate readiness for commercial service and defense applications.
“2026 is a defining year for REGENT as we continue advancing from prototype testing toward scaled production,” said Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of REGENT. “Demand for Seagliders is growing quickly across both commercial and defense markets, and we’re focused on continuing to prove the technology, scale production, and prepare for entry into service.”
“Sea trials are where breakthrough engineering is tested, refined, and proven,” said Mike Klinker, co-founder and CTO of REGENT. “Every hour on the water, every simulation, and every data point helps us validate our systems, improve performance, ensure high safety standards and reinforce our robust technical moat.”
From prototype to production
As testing progresses, REGENT is also scaling its manufacturing operations to meet growing demand across commercial and defense markets. The company is preparing to open its 255,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Rhode Island this summer, where it will build its commercial Seaglider vessels. REGENT expects its first customer deliveries in 2027.
REGENT is scaling production to meet growing demand across commercial and defense markets. The company’s commercial order book now exceeds $10 billion, including recent orders from The XXV in the United States and Synerjet in Brazil. REGENT is also advancing its defense work, including an expanded contract with the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory and recent discussions with defense leaders on Seaglider applications for contested logistics.
Together, REGENT’s 2026 test campaign and manufacturing scale-up mark the company’s next major step toward bringing Seaglider vessels into service and establishing Rhode Island as a hub for next-generation maritime manufacturing.
About REGENT
REGENT is pioneering the future of maritime mobility through the development and manufacturing of SeagliderTM vessels, high-speed hydrofoiling wing-in-ground effect (WIG) craft that operate over the water within a wingspan of the surface, combining the speed of an aircraft with the convenience of a boat. A dual use company based in Rhode Island, U.S., REGENT has secured global commercial orders valued at more than $10 billion from leading airline and ferry operators around the world, as well as $15 million in contracts with the U.S. Marine Corps. REGENT has raised more than $100 million from investors including 8090 Industries, Founders Fund, Japan Airlines, and Lockheed Martin.
… notes from SP
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