A Rhode Island-based startup, REGENT, has successfully completed the first test of its full-size electric seaglider with passengers on board. This vessel called the Viceroy, combines the speed of an aircraft with the versatility of a boat, opening new possibilities for maritime travel.
REGENT has been developing electric seagliders since 2020, and after years of research and testing, the company has now tested its first full-scale prototype. The seaglider, called Viceroy, is designed to operate in three modes: floating on its hull, rising above the water on hydrofoils, and flying just 30 to 60 feet above the water using the wing-in-ground effect. This effect reduces aerodynamic drag, allowing for greater efficiency and higher speeds.
The Viceroy prototype is 55 feet long with a wingspan of 65 feet. It can carry 12 passengers and two crew members or transport up to 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg) of cargo. The seaglider is expected to cruise at speeds of 180 mph (300 km/h) and cover a distance of at least 180 miles (300 km) on a single charge.
REGENT received approval from the U.S. Coast Guard last September to conduct tests on its full-size prototype. Before this, the company spent months testing systems, including motors, batteries, and flight control software. The latest test follows years of development, including a successful quarter-scale prototype that was flown over a two-year period.
The test took place in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, where the Viceroy seaglider demonstrated its ability to float, hydrofoil, and fly just above the water’s surface. REGENT’s Chief Technology Officer and co-founder, Mike Klinker, celebrated the achievement, stating, “The era of seagliders has begun.”
The Viceroy seaglider is expected to transform maritime travel. Unlike boats and ferries, it offers higher speeds and improved efficiency while fully electric. With its ability to operate close to shore, it could provide a new solution for regional travel, cargo transport, and emergency response missions.
The company has already received over $9 billion in orders from businesses and governments across six continents. These orders show the growing interest in seagliders as a viable alternative to transport methods. The startup is also working with the U.S. Marine Corps to explore military and defence applications for this innovative vessel.
The Rhode Island-based startup, founded in 2020, has attracted investments from major industry leaders, including Mark Cuban, Peter Thiel, and Lockheed Martin. With their backing, the company has rapidly developed its seaglider technology and is now preparing for large-scale production.
To meet the growing demand, the company is building a large manufacturing facility in Rhode Island, expected to open next year. This facility will support the production of the Viceroy seaglider and provide training for crew members. The startup aims to deliver its first commercial seagliders in the coming years, bringing a new mode of high-speed, sustainable coastal transport to the market.
