REGENT Craft, the Rhode Island-based developer and manufacturer of all-electric seagliders, has revealed the first full-scale seaglider prototype and completed the first on-water tests, kicking off sea trials that are expected to culminate in the first human seaglider flight in mid-2025.
As disclosed, REGENT christened the vessel, named Paladin, before lowering it into Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, and officially commencing sea trials. The on-water tests follow sub-system testing of the onboard systems, including motors, batteries, electronics, mechanical systems and vehicle control software.
Mike Klinker, Co-Founder and CTO of REGENT, commented: “Stepping off the dock and onto the Viceroy seaglider prototype for the first time was surreal. 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.”
Billy Thalheimer, REGENT’s Co-Founder and CEO, stressed: “Sea trials are just the beginning. 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.”
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To note, the 12-passenger Viceroy seaglider prototype is said to be the “largest-ever” all-electric flying machine and represents a novel mode of transportation. As per REGENT, it 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.
It is worth mentioning that in 2025, REGENT broke ground on a seaglider manufacturing facility in the Quonset Business Park in Rhode Island, expected to come online in 2026. Furthermore, the company signed an agreement with Strategic Development Fund (SDF), an Abu Dhabi-based investment company and part of EDGE Group, to establish a joint venture that will bring seaglider manufacturing capabilities, maintenance services and crew training to the UAE.
It is understood that high market demand has resulted in REGENT building a global order book worth more than $9 billion, as well as developing partnerships around the world to facilitate market entry.