These seagliders, a unique boat-aircraft hybrid, hover just above water using hydrofoils while in motion. Regent's 12-passenger Viceroy model, with a 180-mile range and potential to reach 500 miles by the decade's end, has caught the Corps' attention.
With a 15,000-pound weight, 3,500-pound payload capacity, and a 65-foot wingspan, this seaglider fills a logistical gap in high-speed Pacific operations. The innovation aims to free up helicopters and longer-range assets for diverse tasks.
The Marine Corps' pursuit of light, cost-effective platforms underscores the challenge in bridging coastal distances swiftly. Former Commandant Gen. David Berger has highlighted logistics as the Corps' primary contemporary challenge.
Amidst the Marine Corps' pursuit of innovative logistical solutions, the signing of a glider development contract coincides with Marine Corps Capt. Trevor Shimulunas' proposal for unmanned aerial gliders in small unit logistics, reducing enemy detection risks and enhancing stealth.
Shimulunas emphasizes the advantages of unmanned gliders, which, unlike Regent's larger model, are smaller, cargo-exclusive, and cost-effective, mitigating detection risks by enemy forces.
The Warfighting Lab, in collaboration with Regent, plans three separate demonstrations: float, hydrofoil, and flight, assessing the glider's operational capabilities across diverse environments.
While the Marine Corps isn't purchasing these seagliders, the investment aims to mature the technology and validate its efficacy. Regent, eyeing potential Coast Guard applications for maritime patrol, is pursuing discussions beyond the Marine Corps.
Although Marine Corps officials haven't commented on Regent's plans, Thalheimer envisions the Viceroy glider as a versatile asset for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and makeshift communication networks, highlighting its adaptability for littoral environments.
General Robert Neller acknowledges the potential of REGENT seagliders, emphasizing their capability to bolster logistics, command, control, and ISR in littoral regions.
Addressing concerns about manned gliders operating in contested littorals, Regent aims to develop an unmanned, autonomous version, leveraging the glider's simplicity and automated control system, ensuring adaptability and ease of testing.
Thalheimer underscores the manned glider's advantages, emphasizing reduced pilot training complexity compared to conventional aircraft, potentially streamlining requirements and training durations.
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