Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Lockheed Martin Ventures has made a strategic investment in Regent, which is working to bring passenger-carrying wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) sea gliders to market in 2025. The Rhode Island-based start-up did not disclose how much funding the defense group is providing&nbsp;but said the deal announced on March 22 will give its team access to Lockheed Martin’s facilities and expertise in developing sea gliders for military applications.
Regent noted that it recently started development of a full-scale prototype for its 12-passenger all-electric Viceroy model, based on data gathered from flight testing last year with a remotely piloted, quarter-scale technology demonstrator called the Squire. It now aims to start pilot-on-board testing with the Viceroy prototype in 2024.
In August 2022, certification group Bureau Veritas Marine &amp; Offshore issued an <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-08-31/regent-says-approval-principle-marks-key-step-certification-electric-sea">approval in principle </a>to the company covering its in-development sea glider. According to Regent, the approval is a significant milestone in its efforts to complete certification under maritime regulations.
The company also has plans for a larger vehicle called the Monarch that would be able to carry&nbsp;100 passengers, with a payload of 25,000 pounds. It expects this to be ready to start commercial operations by the end of the 2020s.
According to <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-05-06/investors-back-regents-plans-all-electric-wing-ground-effect-seaglider">Regent</a>, sea gliders combine the high speed of an airplane with the lower operating costs associated with sea vessels. It expects the Viceroy, which will have a 60-foot wingspan, to have a range of 180 miles on services that will connect coastal communities.
Sea gliders fly exclusively above water by using an aerodynamic phenomenon known as the ground effect, in which air flowing below the vehicle provides lift. The technology represents somewhat of a cross between&nbsp;a traditional seaplane and a hovercraft, although sea gliders cannot hover. Whereas hovercraft are supported by a cushion of pressurized air under downward-facing propellers, WIGs have forward-facing propellers that direct airflow beneath the craft, creating pressure to provide lift while simultaneously reducing lift-induced drag.&nbsp;
The vehicles can operate in three modes: floating on their hulls near a dock, foiling on hydrofoils at slow speeds (up to 40 knots), and flying at high speeds (up to 160 knots) just a few meters above the water&nbsp;while cruising. According to Regent, its sea gliders will operate up to six times faster than conventional ferries.
Lockheed Martin’s venture capital arm is joining existing investors in Regent that include <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-01-26/japan-airlines-backs-plans-electric-wing-ground-effect-sea-gliders">Japan Airlines</a> Innovation Fund/Translink Capital, Peter Thiel, Caffeinated Capital, Y-Combinator, Founders Fund, <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-05-12/hawaiian-airlines-agrees-invest-regents-monarch-seaglider">Hawaiian Airlines</a>, and Mark Cuban. The partnership is expected to lead to Regent working with the U.S. Marine Corps and Special Operations units on plans for possible military uses for its sea gliders.
“We see defense strategy evolving toward an island-hopping force featuring agile, affordable, and distributed craft,” commented Regent co-founder and CEO Billy Thalheimer. “This investment is a strong signal that sea gliders can fill this immediate need in the high-priority missions faced by our [U.S.] Department of Defense. Lockheed Martin’s expertise and resources will be invaluable as we work together to adapt sea gliders for defense use cases that are critically important to national security.”
To date, Regent has reported provisional sales agreements for over 400 sea gliders from prospective aviation and ferry operators including Mokulele Airlines and Southern Airways Express in the U.S., as well as Germany’s FRS and Ocean Flyer in New Zealand. It says these agreements cover orders worth more than $7.9 billion, implying a unit price for each vehicle of around $19.8 million.
Over the past three years, Lockheed Martin Ventures has been stepping up its investments in the emerging advanced air mobility sector. It has provided funding for eSTOL aircraft developer <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-01-18/lockheed-martin-backs-hybrid-electric-estol-aircraft-developer-electra">Electra </a>and Elroy Air’s <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-08-04/lockheed-martin-backs-40-million-funding-round-cargo-vtol-maker-elroy">Chaparral cargo drone</a>, as well as backing new technology through investments in companies like sensor specialist Hidden Level and electric motor drive group <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-03-01/lockheed-martin-backs-megawatt-class-electric-propulsion-developer-h3x">H3X</a>.
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Charles Alcock

Regent has conducted trials with a quarter-scale technology demonstrator version of its Viceroy electric sea glider. (Image: Regent)

Lockheed Martin Backs Sea Glider Developer Regent with Strategic Investment

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