Regent’s Viceroy seaglider prepares for trials
The all-electric Viceroy seaglider wing-in-ground-effect vehicle has been designed for defence and civilian use. (Image: Regent)
A US-based company has been preparing to test its full-scale prototype by late 2024 with potential for defence applications including intelligence, surveillance and rapid deployment in contested environments.
Regent, a US-based manufacturer of electric-powered wing-in-ground-effect vehicles, has said it expected the full-scale prototype of the all-electric Viceroy seaglider to begin testing in late 2024 and continue trials throughout the following spring.
Speaking with Shephard at the Emerging Technologies for Defense exhibition in Washington, DC, Tom Huntley, vice-president for government relations and defence at Regent, highlighted the Viceroy’s potential defence applications.
The company announced a US$4.8 million contract with the US Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL) in October 2023 to demonstrate seaglider technology for defence logistics operations.
Huntley told Shephard that Viceroy could be utilised for intelligence, surveillance and
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters]()
US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters
The USCG exercised a $507 million contract option for the acquisition of 10 extra FRCs. This new order will raise the total number of Sentinel-class vessels procured by the service from 67 to 77.
-
![DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology]()
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
![Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract]()
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
-
![Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028]()
Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028
Acquired under Canada’s Department of National Defence ISTAR UAS project, the drones will be deployed from the Halifax-class frigates.
-
![US Navy prepares next step of the F-35 Block 4 upgrade while GAO predicts acquisition delays]()
US Navy prepares next step of the F-35 Block 4 upgrade while GAO predicts acquisition delays
The US Navy published a pre-solicitation notice of intent for the third phase of the F-35 Reprogramming Verification & Validation System. Meanwhile, with a five-year delay in its schedule, GAO foresees more postponements in the completion of the Block 4 effort.
