Regent glides the seas for the first time
The seaglider technology demonstrator of the US company Regent, with the quarter-scale (wingspan 5.5 m) of the projected vehicle, has completed its first series of flights in Narragansett Bay, RI. The first-ever vehicle to successfully utilise three modes of maritime operation - floating, foiling and flying - marks a step forward in transportation.
CEO and co-founder Billy Thalheimer has "full confidence in our ability to apply this technology at full scale and bring seagliders to global commercial service by 2025".
The all-electric wing-in-ground effect vehicle flies low (within one wingspan) over the water to take advantage of aerodynamic and operational efficiencies, enabling increased payload capability (1.6 t in its cargo configuration) and greater range than other electric aircraft concepts. (ah)