Regent Extends USMC Contract, Totaling $20M in Collaboration

September 30, 2026

REGENT Craft, the Rhode Island-based developer and manufacturer of all-electric Seagliders, announced today it has extended its collaboration with the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, adding $5 million in mission dollars and bringing the total value of the partnership to $19.25 million to date.

REGENT’s MCWL agreement has grown in stages: a $4.75 million Phase I/II base contract that validated the technical feasibility of the Seaglider, followed by a $9.5 million Phase III that advanced full-scale prototype demonstrations. Phase IV adds $5 million in mission dollars and includes six deliverables centered on demonstrating the full-scale Seaglider prototype's capabilities in operationally relevant environments, alongside advances in command-and-control integration to support how Seagliders would be tasked, tracked, and coordinated within defense operations.

"What started as a feasibility question has become a real operational program, and that trajectory says a lot about where this technology is headed,” said Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO, REGENT. “The Marine Corps' continued investment reflects growing confidence that Seagliders aren't a future concept; they're a capability the Marines can start integrating now into the force imminently."

"This next phase of our MCWL partnership is about putting the technology in the hands of the warfighter so they can fully realize the advantages Seagliders bring to the forward-operating areas,” said Becky Russo, Director, Defense Mission Integration. “We look forward to demonstrating this technology to the Marines so they can put it through its paces and ensure it's designed to meet their mission needs."

Seaglider Benefits for Defense
Seagliders provide a fast and efficient solution for defense operations in contested logistics, ensuring the safe and timely movement of personnel and equipment in and out of conflict zones. Their benefits include:

• High speed — The Viceroy Seaglider will travel up to 180 mph on routes up to 180 miles.
• Runway independence — Seagliders take off and land on water, eliminating the need for vulnerable runway infrastructure.
• Fuel resilience — Seagliders are fully rechargeable from shore or ship, ensuring a reliable and resilient energy supply.
• Low signal — Flying within one wingspan of the water, Seagliders remain below radar and above high-range sonar, and their electric propulsion system minimizes heat and infrared signature.
• Low costs — Simple design and fewer parts mean significantly reduced operating and maintenance costs for Seagliders compared to legacy aviation and maritime platforms.

On September 2, 2026, REGENT's Viceroy prototype successfully flew in Narragansett Bay, RI, marking a key milestone in the test campaign. Meanwhile, Squire continues a rapid test campaign, demonstrating its applicability across a multitude of mission sets.

Source : REGENT