REGENT Craft has completed the world’s first manufacturing facility dedicated to building Seagliders, a new type of high-speed vessel that combines features of boats and aircrafts.
The company announced the milestone during the Reindustrialize conference in Detroit, where it also showcased a virtual tour of the facility and new interactive demonstrations.
The factory is located at 1 Seaglider Way, Quonset Business Park, North Kingstown, Rhode Island. It will serve as REGENT’s primary production center for customers worldwide and support the company’s growing defense programs.
Seaglider Tech Into Full-Scale Production
Seagliders are wing-in-ground effect vehicles designed to travel over water at high speeds. They operate in three modes: float, foil, and fly.
The vessels begin by moving through the water like a traditional boat. Once they gain speed, hydrofoils lift the hull above the water surface, reducing drag and improving efficiency.
After that, the craft transitions into low-altitude flight. It travels just above the water while remaining within a wingspan of the surface, allowing it to combine the speed of an aircraft with the operating convenience of a marine vessel.
This design aims to provide faster coastal transportation while using electric propulsion. The technology is attracting interest from ferry operators, transportation companies, and defense organizations seeking new mobility options.
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Rhode Island Facility for Large-Scale Manufacturing
The new facility covers approximately 255,000 square feet. It includes dedicated production areas for structural assembly, wing integration, hydrofoil installation, battery systems, testing, and final acceptance operations.
REGENT designed the factory to support future production growth. The layout allows manufacturing capacity to increase in stages while maintaining quality control and certification requirements.
The location inside Quonset Business Park offers several operational advantages. These include direct access to the waterfront for testing, established transportation infrastructure, and proximity to a skilled workforce with experience in maritime and manufacturing industries.
The company has integrated quality inspection systems, tooling, metrology equipment, and production tracking throughout the facility. These measures are intended to ensure consistency and traceability during vessel production.
According to REGENT Chief Executive Officer Billy Thalheimer, the facility was built to support long-term manufacturing growth while delivering Seaglider vessels to customers across multiple continents.
The company will produce both its 12-passenger Viceroy Seaglider and the Squire Seaglider drone at the site. The factory will also support the development of a domestic supply chain focused on advanced maritime manufacturing.
Supporting a Growing Global Order Book
REGENT says its commercial order book now exceeds $10 billion. The orders come from airlines, ferry companies, and transportation providers across six continents.
The completion of the manufacturing facility provides the infrastructure needed to fulfill those commitments. It also positions the company to scale production as customer demand increases.
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Beyond commercial transportation, REGENT is expanding its presence in defense applications. The company reports that it has secured contracts worth $15 million with the US Marine Corps.
Defense agencies have shown growing interest in fast, efficient vessels capable of operating in coastal environments. Seagliders offer a potential option for transporting personnel, equipment, and supplies over water while reducing travel times.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
The manufacturing facility is expected to become a significant economic contributor for Rhode Island. Through the state’s Qualified Jobs Program, REGENT has committed to creating 300 jobs at the site over the next decade.
The company also sees the potential for future workforce growth. Employment could expand to 750 positions as production increases.
The jobs will cover a wide range of specialties. These include manufacturing, engineering, logistics, operations, quality assurance, and supply chain management.
REGENT says it has already invested $71.5 million into Rhode Island’s economy and created more than 100 jobs before the factory’s completion. The project is also expected to support suppliers, subcontractors, and service providers throughout the region.
Local officials have formally renamed the facility at 1 Seaglider Way. The designation reflects the site’s importance to the state’s industrial and maritime future.
Detroit Event Highlights Manufacturing Vision
The company used the REindustrialize conference in Detroit to unveil a new digital model of the completed factory. Visitors experienced an immersive 3D environment that recreated the production floor.
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The exhibit allowed attendees to see how Seaglider vessels move through different stages of manufacturing. REGENT also presented a Seaglider flight simulator that demonstrated the craft’s float, foil, and fly operating modes.
A full-scale interior mock-up of the Viceroy Seaglider was displayed at the event. This gave visitors a closer look at the passenger experience and vessel design.
Detroit was selected as the launch venue because of its long connection to American manufacturing and industrial development. The company used the event to highlight the role advanced manufacturing can play in the next generation of transportation.
The completion of the Seaglider Manufacturing Facility marks an important step for REGENT as it moves from development into large-scale production. With commercial demand growing, defense partnerships expanding, and manufacturing operations now in place, the company is preparing to deliver a new category of maritime transportation to customers worldwide.
