REGENT Craft announced today its launch of the world’s first full-scale crewed seaglider. The 12-passenger Viceroy prototype named Paladin, recently completed its first on-water tests in Narragansett Bay, R.I.
The 55' prototype has a 65’ wingspan. REGENT noted in a press release the Viceroy model is the largest all-electric flying vessel to date. The high-speed craft operates in three modes: floating on its hull, hydrofoiling above the waves, and flying in wing-in-ground-effect within one wingspan of the water’s surface.
REGENT co-founder and CTO Mike Klinker was among the first aboard. “Stepping off the dock and onto the Viceroy seaglider prototype for the first time was surreal,” Klinker said. “This was the first voyage of a vessel that is destined to transform mobility—the era of seagliders has begun.”
REGENT noted that the sea trials follow months of extensive sub-system testing, including evaluations of the motors, batteries, electronics, mechanical systems, and control software, and these tests will continue throughout the year. The company expects the tests will culminate in the first human flight of a seaglider by mid-2025.
The company said it has already secured a global order book valued at more than $9 billion across six continents. REGENT said it is working with governments, businesses, and coastal communities to prepare for market entry and is also developing defense, logistics, and search-and-rescue applications in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps.
In January, REGENT broke ground on its new 255,000-square foot seaglider manufacturing facility at the Quonset Business Park, North Kingstown, R.I. The facility is expected to be operational by 2026 and will be used for component manufacturing, final assembly, and pre-delivery testing of REGENT's Viceroy seaglider model.
