The US Marine Corps Warfighting Lab has expanded its collaboration with electric Seaglider developer REGENT Craft, adding $5 million for prototype capability demonstration and command and control integration.
The extension, announced Sept. 30, brings the total value of the partnership to $19.25 million.
The latest phase includes six deliverables focused on demonstrating the full-scale Seaglider prototype in operationally relevant environments and advancing its integration into defense operations.
The announcement follows the September 2 flight of REGENT’s Viceroy prototype from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, a milestone in the aircraft’s test campaign.
The partnership runs in four phases
The agreement between the Rhode Island-based developer and the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab has been gradually expanded.
A $4.75 million Phase I/II base contract confirmed the technical feasibility of the Seaglider. Phase III added $9.5 million and resulted in full-scale prototype demonstrations.
Phase IV adds $5 million in mission funds. In addition to capability demonstrations, it also includes command and control work to support how Seagliders are deployed, tracked and coordinated as part of defense operations.
“What started as a feasibility question has evolved into a true operational program, and that trajectory says a lot about where this technology is headed,” said Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of REGENT.
“The Marine Corps’ continued investment reflects growing confidence that Seagliders are not a future concept; they are a capability that Marines can begin integrating now into the force soon,” he added.
The final phase will focus on demonstrating the prototype’s capabilities and supporting the coordination of Seagliders in defense operations.
Water starts and electric propulsion
REGENT describes Seaglider as a transportation option for contested logistics, including moving personnel and equipment to and from conflict zones.
The Viceroy Seaglider is designed to cruise at speeds of up to 180 miles per hour on routes of up to 180 miles. These are planned performance specifications and not reported results from the September prototype flight.
Sea gliders take off and land on water, eliminating the need for runway infrastructure. Their all-electric propulsion also allows charging from land or ship, which REGENT sees as an advantage for maintaining energy supplies.
The company says the vehicles fly within a wingspan of the water. This operating position is described as below radar and above long range sonar, with electric propulsion minimizing thermal and infrared signatures.
REGENT also says a simple design and fewer parts reduce operating and maintenance costs compared to older aviation and maritime platforms.
The demonstrations focus on the needs of the naval mission
The next phase gives the Marine Corps further opportunities to evaluate the technology against its mission requirements.
“This next phase of our MCWL partnership is about putting the technology in the hands of warfighters so they can take full advantage of the benefits Seagliders bring to forward theaters,” said Becky Russo, director of Defense Mission Integration.
“We look forward to demonstrating this technology to the Marines so they can put it through its paces and ensure it meets their mission requirements,” Russo added.
The Viceroy prototype successfully flew in Narragansett Bay on September 2 as part of its test campaign. REGENT also reported that Squire is continuing a rapid testing campaign and demonstrating applicability across multiple mission sets.
The expanded Marine Corps agreement focuses on the capabilities and command and control integration of the full-scale Seaglider prototype.
