REGENT's Seaglider Demonstrates Critical Rescue Capabilities for U.S. Marine Corps
- MM24 News Desk
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
REGENT Craft has successfully demonstrated its Viceroy Seaglider vessel in a series of rescue scenarios for the U.S. Marine Corps, proving its potential to close critical gaps in maritime MEDEVAC and CASEVAC missions. The tests, which included beach extraction and open-water rescue operations, showcased the vehicle's unique ability to combine high speed with stable water-surface maneuverability where traditional boats and helicopters face limitations.
What if a vehicle could fly to a rescue scene at nearly 200 miles per hour, then land calmly on the water to pluck survivors to safety? This vision is rapidly becoming a reality, and it’s being developed not for a sci-fi movie, but for the U.S. Marine Corps. In a significant step forward for naval mobility, REGENT Craft has proven that its revolutionary Seaglider vessel is up to the task, performing flawlessly in a series of demanding rescue demonstrations.
The company recently completed three critical mission demonstrations: dockside boarding of a non-ambulatory patient, a beach extraction directly from the shore, and an open-water life raft rescue in challenging sea conditions.
These scenarios were designed to test the Seaglider's ability to perform real-world MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation) and CASEVAC (Casualty Evacuation) operations, a capability gap in today's maritime defense. While boats are slow and helicopters can be hampered by stability issues or availability, the Seaglider is designed to operate seamlessly in the niche between them.
“These rescue demonstrations represent significant progress in our Seaglider prototype test campaign," said Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of REGENT. He explained that their ongoing real-world testing is proving the vehicle can deliver the speed, stability, and safety that traditional platforms often lack in complex environments.
The ultimate goal is clear: "These demonstrations show how Seaglider vessels can bring lifesaving capability to the places that need it most and bring our warfighters home safely,” Thalheimer stated, according to the company's announcement.
So, what exactly is a Seaglider? The Viceroy Seaglider vessel is a wing-in-ground-effect vehicle that operates in three distinct modes. It floats on its hull, can rise up on hydrofoils to skim above the waves, and flies in ground effect about 30 feet off the water's surface.
This multi-mode operation allows it to achieve remarkable performance, with plans for it to travel at speeds up to 160 knots (180mph), carry a payload of 3,500 pounds, and cover distances up to 1,400 nautical miles in its hybrid form.
This unique profile makes it ideally suited for rescue. A Seaglider can fly at high speed to a distress location, land on the water to maneuver precisely alongside survivors or a raft, board them directly, and then take off again for a rapid transit to a medical facility.
Furthermore, its spacious interior can be configured to incorporate the necessary medical equipment, gear, and personnel for critical care during transport. The vehicle’s performance impressed those with direct experience in the field. “Maritime MEDEVAC and CASEVAC are among the most demanding missions in the military," said Tom Huntley, General Manager of REGENT Defense and a former rescue helicopter pilot.
He confirmed that the Marine Corps provided challenging real-world scenarios and that the prototype performed exceptionally across all requirements, from rapid response to precision maneuvering and medical loading. This successful demonstration is part of a growing and significant partnership.
Earlier this year, the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab expanded its contract with REGENT to a substantial $15 million. This investment underscores the militarHelicoptery's confidence in the Seaglider as a next-generation mobility platform, particularly for contested littoral environments where speed and versatility are paramount for success and survival.
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