World's First Seaglider Manufacturing Facility Completed in Rhode Island as REGENT Surpasses $10B in Orders

REGENT Craft has officially announced the completion of the world's first Seaglider manufacturing facility, located at '1 Seaglider Way' in the Quonset Business Park, North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

The milestone was unveiled at the REindustrialize manufacturing revival conference in Detroit, where REGENT debuted new 3D models and an immersive 3D experience allowing visitors to virtually walk through the production floor and witness Seaglider manufacturing firsthand.

What Is a Seaglider?

The Seaglider is a high-speed Wing-in-Ground Effect (WIG) craft offering three operational modes: float, foil, and fly. The vehicle begins at low speed on its hull, transitions to hydrofoil mode after leaving the dock, and then enters low-altitude flight within one wingspan above the water surface — combining the speed of an aircraft with the accessibility of a vessel.

Global Production Hub Backed by $10B+ in Orders

The facility will serve as the core production base for REGENT's global commercial order book, which has now exceeded $10 billion across six continents, with customers including major airlines and ferry operators worldwide. The plant will also support REGENT's growing defense business, including a $15 million contract with the U.S. Marine Corps.

REGENT Co-founder and CEO Billy Thalheimer said: "The Seaglider factory is our concrete action to help the United States lead the next generation of manufacturing and transportation technology. From 1 Seaglider Way, we will deliver Seagliders to customers on six continents, create hundreds of high-quality American jobs, and show the world what innovation and manufacturing look like at scale. We built this facility the same way we build our craft: with precision, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to quality and safety."

World-Class Facility Built for the Future of American Maritime Manufacturing

The facility spans 255,000 square feet and features dedicated zones for structural assembly, wing and hydrofoil integration, battery and systems installation, and waterborne testing and acceptance operations, with tool management, metrology, and quality inspection stations integrated throughout.

Situated within the Quonset Business Park along the waterfront, the facility offers direct access to open water for sea trials, supported by robust logistics infrastructure and Rhode Island's deep pool of maritime and manufacturing talent.

The plant layout has been engineered to allow phased capacity expansion without compromising safety or airworthiness certification objectives. REGENT will conduct end-to-end production of the 12-seat Viceroy Seaglider and the Squire Seaglider drone at this facility, while building a domestic supply chain to cement Rhode Island's position as a global hub for maritime innovation.

Mark Duchesne, REGENT's Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply Chain, stated: "We built a factory that combines modern manufacturing technology with the deep skills of Rhode Island's maritime workforce. Every system, every tool, every layout decision has one goal: to produce the world's highest-quality Seagliders reliably and at scale, with the traceability rigor that airworthiness certification demands. This will be American manufacturing at its best."

American Manufacturing: Jobs and Economic Growth

The Seaglider manufacturing facility is central to REGENT's commitment to domestic production and U.S. economic growth. Through Rhode Island's Qualified Jobs Program, REGENT has committed to creating 300 jobs at the North Kingstown facility over the next decade, with the potential to scale to 750 positions.

These roles span high-skilled positions in manufacturing, engineering, quality assurance, logistics, and operations, and will drive a broad ecosystem of Rhode Island suppliers, subcontractors, and service providers. REGENT has already injected $71.5 million into the Rhode Island economy and created more than 100 jobs ahead of the facility's formal completion.

The Quonset Business Park, with its long history in defense manufacturing and the maritime industry, provides an ideal home for the initiative. Local officials have formally designated the site '1 Seaglider Way' to mark the facility's significance to the region's future.

REGENT's mission is also closely aligned with U.S. government efforts to rebuild the domestic maritime industrial base. Through its partnerships with the Department of Defense and its support for the Trump administration's manufacturing revival agenda and the Maritime Action Plan, REGENT is working to strengthen U.S. economic, military, industrial, and national security.

Detroit Debut: Immersive 3D Experience

Thalheimer announced the facility's completion from the main stage at REindustrialize. REGENT showcased new 3D models of the completed factory and presented an immersive 3D experience that placed attendees on the production floor, offering an unprecedented view of Seaglider manufacturing. REGENT also debuted a Seaglider simulator for the first time, allowing participants to experience all three modes — float, foil, and fly — alongside a full-scale cabin mockup of the Viceroy Seaglider.

The immersive launch reflects REGENT's core belief: rebuilding American manufacturing requires not only investment and technology, but a bold vision that the public, investors, and partners can see and feel for themselves. Detroit — a city that symbolizes both America's industrial heritage and its capacity for reinvention — provided the perfect stage for that message.

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