REGENT Completes the World's First Seaglider Manufacturing Facility, Anchoring America's Lead in Maritime Innovation

REGENT Craft, the developer and manufacturer of Seaglider vessels, led by Billy Thalheimer, Mike Klinker, and the team, has announced the completion of the world's first Seaglider Manufacturing Facility, located at 1 Seaglider Way in Quonset Business Park, North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

The milestone was unveiled at the Reindustrialize conference in Detroit, where REGENT introduced a new 3D model and immersive experience that allows visitors to virtually explore the production floor and see Seaglider vessels being built.

A New Era of Maritime Manufacturing.

Seaglider vessels are high-speed hydrofoiling wing-in-ground effect (WIG) craft that operate across three modes: float, foil, and fly. Beginning on the water like a conventional vessel, they transition onto hydrofoils before lifting into low-altitude flight above the surface, combining the speed of an aircraft with the accessibility and operational flexibility of a boat.

The completion of the manufacturing facility marks an important milestone for American industry, establishing a dedicated production hub for an entirely new class of vessel designed and built in the United States. The facility will support REGENT’s global commercial order book, valued at more than $10 billion and spanning customers across six continents, while also serving the company’s expanding defense programs, including contracts with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Advancing American Manufacturing and Transportation.

According to REGENT, the Seaglider Manufacturing Facility represents a commitment to strengthening America's leadership in advanced manufacturing and next-generation transportation. The facility is expected to serve customers across six continents, support the creation of hundreds of skilled manufacturing jobs, and scale production of Seaglider vessels for global markets.

The project reflects a focus on precision engineering, operational excellence, and high standards of quality and safety, principles that underpin both the facility itself and the vessels produced within it.

A Manufacturing Hub for Next-Generation Seagliders.

REGENT’s 255,000-square-foot facility is designed to support the full production of its Seaglider vessels, with dedicated areas for assembly, systems integration, testing, and quality control. Located within Quonset Business Park, the site offers direct waterfront access, strong logistics infrastructure, and access to a skilled maritime workforce.

The facility will serve as the production hub for the Viceroy Seaglider and Squire Seaglider drone, supporting future manufacturing scale-up and strengthening Rhode Island’s role in maritime innovation.

Engineering Seaglider Production at Scale.

According to REGENT, the facility combines advanced manufacturing technologies with the expertise of Rhode Island’s maritime workforce. Every aspect of the factory, from its systems and tooling to its production layout, has been designed to support the consistent, large-scale production of high-quality Seaglider vessels while meeting the traceability and certification requirements expected of next-generation transportation systems.

Driving American Jobs and Economic Growth.

The Seaglider Manufacturing Facility represents a significant investment in American manufacturing and workforce development. Through Rhode Island’s Qualified Jobs Program, REGENT plans to create hundreds of skilled jobs across manufacturing, engineering, quality assurance, logistics, and operations, while supporting a broader network of suppliers and service providers.

The company has already contributed substantially to Rhode Island’s economy and workforce growth ahead of the facility’s completion. Located within Quonset Business Park, a historic center for maritime and defense manufacturing, the facility further strengthens the region’s role in next-generation transportation and industrial innovation.

The project also aligns with broader efforts to revitalize the U.S. maritime industrial base, expand domestic manufacturing capabilities, and reinforce long-term economic and national security priorities.

Bringing Seaglider Manufacturing to Life.

REGENT unveiled the completion of its manufacturing facility at the REindustrialize conference in Detroit, showcasing a new 3D model and immersive experience that allows visitors to explore the production floor and observe Seaglider manufacturing virtually. The company also introduced a Seaglider flight simulator and a full-scale interior mock-up of its Viceroy Seaglider vessel.

The showcase reflected a broader vision of revitalizing American manufacturing through innovation, technology, and public engagement. Detroit’s legacy as a center of industrial excellence provided a fitting setting for demonstrating the future of advanced maritime transportation.