Regent Defense develops hybrid Seaglider for long-range military missions

Regent Defense is developing a hybrid configuration of its Seaglider for defense missions across the Indo-Pacific, where the company considers the few-hundred-mile range provided by batteries insufficient. The target range is about 1,600 statute miles.

The defense version is planned to retain roughly 20% of the batteries for takeoff and landing, while adding an engine and fuel system to the existing electric propulsion system. The electric system is intended to preserve low noise, low maintenance and a low thermal signature.

The company says it has a conceptual design and is working on the supply chain. It also aims to share as many components and SKUs as possible between the commercial and defense versions; the commercial configuration is fully electric and designed for about 180 miles. Exact engine, fuel and delivery timelines have not been disclosed.